Why does my baby cry and fuss at night, and what should I do?
Apr 24, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
The baby may prefer sleeping at night, possibly due to longer naps during the day causing increased excitement at night. It could also be caused by colic resulting from a cold abdomen or lactose intolerance, or by a deficiency in vitamin D leading to nervous system excitability. Adjustments can be made according to the underlying causes, including regulating sleep schedules, massage, and medication if necessary.
A baby's frequent crying at night may be caused by irregular sleep patterns, colic, or vitamin D deficiency. This can be improved by adjusting daily routines, massage, and supplementing vitamin D. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Adjust daily habits
If a baby tends to cry frequently at night, it might be due to excessive daytime napping or overexcitement in the evening. In such cases, caregivers should adjust the baby’s sleep schedule by limiting the duration of daytime naps.
2. Massage
Crying may result from abdominal chilling or lactose intolerance, which can trigger colic. Caregivers can gently massage the baby’s abdomen in a clockwise direction to help relieve colic symptoms and reduce crying.
3. Supplement vitamin D
During developmental stages, failure to provide adequate vitamin D may lead to deficiency, causing nervous system hyperexcitability and resulting in irritability. Vitamin D supplementation under medical guidance—such as using vitamin D drops, calcium carbonate D3 granules, or vitamin D2 soft gel capsules—can help improve the condition.
If the above measures fail to bring improvement, or if the baby develops additional symptoms such as bloating or vomiting, it is recommended to seek prompt medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
