What does it mean when a baby exerts effort while sleeping at night?

Babies may exert effort or strain during sleep at night due to physiological reasons, such as hunger, or pathological causes like calcium deficiency or indigestion, which may require medical consultation and treatment. The details are as follows:

I. Physiological Causes

If a baby feels hungry during the night, they may experience restless sleep, straining, or crying. This is a normal physiological phenomenon that can be resolved by timely breastfeeding or formula feeding, and usually does not require special treatment.

II. Pathological Causes

1. Calcium Deficiency

If a baby did not absorb sufficient calcium in the mother's womb, calcium deficiency may occur after birth. Severe cases may present with delayed growth, frequent startling, and poor sleep quality. It is recommended to supplement calcium promptly. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as calcium lactate granules, calcium gluconate oral solution, or calcium carbonate D3 granules can be administered to improve these symptoms.

2. Indigestion

Due to infants' relatively weak gastrointestinal function, overfeeding can lead to indigestion, increasing gastrointestinal burden and causing symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. This discomfort may result in restless sleep. In such cases, consult a doctor about using medications like lactic acid bacteria tablets, compound pepsin granules, or live combined bifidobacterium granules. Additionally, ensure proper warmth for the baby's abdomen.

Besides the above factors, conditions such as intestinal colic, intussusception, or gastroenteritis may also be involved. If symptoms occur, promptly visit a pediatrician for evaluation and appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause.