Why does a one-year-old baby often cry and become restless during sleep at night?
The baby is one year old now. For the past few nights, he or she has been crying and fussing during sleep, and it takes a long time to calm down. What could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
A one-year-old baby frequently crying during sleep at night may be caused by hunger, environmental factors, nutritional deficiencies, indigestion, parasites, and other factors.
Firstly, parents should confirm whether the baby is crying due to hunger or thirst. For breastfed infants, insufficient breast milk may cause the baby to cry loudly from hunger.
A baby's sleep environment and routine are also very important. A noisy or overly bright environment, as well as irregular sleep schedules, can affect the baby's sleep patterns. Emotional states, such as separation anxiety, may also manifest during nighttime.
A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, increasing nervous system excitability, which may manifest as night crying and excessive sweating. Overfeeding or preparing formula with water that is too cold may cause indigestion, leading to symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. Sometimes, nighttime crying may be related to intestinal parasites, and medical attention at a hospital is needed.
Parents are advised to observe and record the baby's daily behaviors and sleep patterns. When necessary, they should consult a pediatrician or a child sleep specialist for a detailed evaluation to identify the specific cause and implement appropriate interventions to help the baby establish healthy sleep habits.
