Why does a child cry and fuss during sleep at night?
May 25, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Weiling
Introduction
In addition to common external factors that may cause a baby to suddenly cry during sleep—such as an unsuitable sleep environment, excessive excitement before bedtime, or physical discomfort—internal factors also influence infant sleep. For instance, younger infants, particularly those aged 2–3 months, often experience nighttime crying due to conditions such as intestinal gas, colic, or lactose intolerance.
When a child cries inexplicably during nighttime sleep, parents must pay close attention. Children rarely cry without cause; persistent crying usually indicates discomfort. Sudden, intense crying during sleep is often a sign of poor sleep quality in infants. Common external factors contributing to such nighttime crying include suboptimal sleep environments, excessive excitement before bedtime, or physical discomfort. In addition, internal factors may also affect an infant’s sleep—particularly in younger infants (e.g., those aged 2–3 months), who may experience nighttime crying due to conditions such as intestinal gas, colic, or lactose intolerance.
As children grow older—typically after five months of age—many begin experiencing nighttime awakenings and crying due to teething or rapid brain development. In such cases, gentle soothing measures are usually sufficient. Establishing a consistent day-night circadian rhythm for the infant largely depends on the infant’s physiological maturation.
