What are the reasons why a child won't sleep?

Under normal circumstances, a child's inability to sleep may be caused by excessive daytime napping, lack of security, indigestion, calcium deficiency, or intestinal colic. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a professional physician. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive Daytime Sleep

If a child sleeps too long during the day, especially in the afternoon, they may not feel sleepy at night. This disrupts their biological clock, leading to alertness in the evening and difficulty falling asleep. As a result, the child may struggle to wake up the next morning and experience fatigue and low energy. Parents should adjust the child’s sleep schedule by reducing daytime naps, particularly avoiding sleep in the late afternoon or evening.

2. Lack of Security

Environmental changes, insufficient parental companionship, or frightening experiences can make a child feel insecure. The resulting anxiety prevents them from settling down to sleep. Symptoms may include restlessness, crying, and needing a parent nearby to fall asleep. Parents should provide sufficient affection and companionship, ensuring the sleeping environment is quiet and comfortable.

3. Indigestion

Improper diet, overeating, or consuming hard-to-digest foods can lead to abdominal discomfort, affecting the child’s ability to fall asleep. Symptoms may include bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and poor appetite. Parents can improve the situation by adjusting the child’s diet, avoiding overfeeding and foods that are difficult to digest.

4. Calcium Deficiency

An unbalanced diet with inadequate calcium intake can increase nervous system excitability, making it difficult for the child to fall asleep. In addition to insomnia at night, symptoms may include excessive sweating, night terrors, and delayed growth and development. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include calcium supplements such as calcium gluconate oral solution, pediatric calcium carbonate D3 granules, or calcium lactate granules.

5. Intestinal Colic

Induced by improper diet, cold exposure to the abdomen, or gastrointestinal dysfunction, intestinal colic causes acute abdominal pain that prevents sleep. Besides difficulty sleeping, symptoms may include sudden abdominal pain, persistent crying, and abdominal tension. Treatment under medical supervision may include medications such as smectite powder, Wenshugu granules, or Xiao Jianzhong granules.

To ensure good sleep quality in children, parents should carefully observe daily habits, maintain regular sleep schedules, and pay attention to balanced nutrition and dietary adjustments to support healthy growth and development.