When sleeping at night, the baby's crying often makes many new parents feel overwhelmed. The silence of the night is broken by the baby's crying, and the parents' hearts are tensed. While patient reassurance is the first step, if your baby continues to cry, it may not just be because he's hungry, has a wet diaper, or needs to be cuddled, but also because of some underlying health issues. This article will delve into the common causes of baby crying at night, and detail four conditions that require special attention, hoping to help parents better cope with and solve this problem.
Common causes and methods of reassurance
Hungry or diaper wet
Most of the time, your baby's crying is because they are hungry or have a wet diaper. Newborns have a small stomach capacity and eat less but more often, so it is normal to wake up at night to feed. Wet or uncomfortable diapers can also cause discomfort to your baby.
Solution(s):
Timely feeding: Observe your baby's feeding signals, such as sucking fingers or making humming sounds, and feed in time.
Diaper Change: Check and change diapers regularly to keep your baby dry and comfortable.
Gastrointestinal upset
Your baby's digestive system is not yet fully developed, and gastrointestinal discomfort is one of the common problems. Gas, constipation or diarrhea can all cause crying.
Solution(s):
Burp: After feeding, gently burp to help your baby expel air from the stomach.
Massage the abdomen: Gently massage the baby's abdomen clockwise to promote gastrointestinal movements.
environmental factors
The baby's ability to adapt to the environment is poor, and the temperature is too high or too low, the light is too bright, and the sound is too loud will affect the baby's sleep.
Solution(s):
Maintain the right temperature: Keep the room temperature at 20-22 degrees Celsius and avoid overheating or colding.
Create a quiet environment: Minimize light and noise to create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment.
Be alert to potential health problems
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is one of the most common causes of your baby's nighttime crying. Your baby's stomach contents reflux back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation and discomfort that can trigger crying.
Symptoms:
Frequent spitting up or regurgitation after feeding.
Crying and restlessness at night, unable to sleep peacefully.
Slow weight gain.
Solution:
Small, frequent meals: Reduce the amount of milk per feeding, increase the frequency of feedings, and avoid excessive regurgitation of stomach contents.
Elevate the upper body: Elevate your baby's upper body for 30 minutes after feeding to prevent regurgitation of stomach contents.
Doctor's Consultation: In severe cases, a doctor's consultation may be required, and medication may be required.
Ear infections
Otitis media is another common cause of crying at night. Ear infections can cause pain and discomfort, especially when lying down.
Symptoms:
Constant crying, especially when lying down.
Slap or scratch your ears.
Fever, loss of appetite.
Solution:
Keep it clean: Keep your ears clean by avoiding water in your ear canal.
Seek medical attention promptly: Ear infections require antibiotic treatment, and it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
Analgesic measures: The doctor recommends the use of antipyretics or analgesic drugs to relieve the baby's pain.
Infantile colic
Colic is a severe pain in your baby's abdomen, usually in the evening or at night, that causes persistent crying.
Symptoms:
Sudden, violent crying that lasts for several hours.
The abdomen is swollen and the legs are curled.
Relief of symptoms after passing gas or defecation.
Solution:
Regular feeding: Avoid overfeeding or feeding intervals that are too long.
Tummy Massage: Gently massage your baby's abdomen to help relieve air build-up.
Soothing techniques: Shake, cuddle, sing or use white noise to help your baby relax.
Allergies or food intolerances
Some babies have allergies or intolerances to certain ingredients in formula or breast milk, causing abdominal discomfort, rashes and crying.
Symptoms:
Persistent crying, especially after feeding.
Red rash or eczema on the skin.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Solution:
Change the milk powder: Under the guidance of your doctor, choose a special formula that is suitable for you.
Breastfeeding mothers adjust their diet: Breastfeeding mothers should avoid foods that may cause allergies, such as dairy products and nuts.
Consultation with a doctor: Severe allergies or food intolerances require diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional.
Case Study: Learn from real-world cases
Xiao Ming's story
Soon after Xiao Ming was born, his parents noticed that he was always crying and restless at night, especially after breastfeeding. After a doctor's examination, Xiao Ming was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux. Under the guidance of the doctor, the parents adjusted the feeding method, and Xiao Ming's symptoms gradually eased, and the crying at night was significantly reduced.
Xiaohua's experience
Xiaohua's parents noticed that she frequently scratched her ears, accompanied by fever and crying. Doctors diagnosed Xiao Hua with otitis media, and through antibiotic treatment and ear care, Xiao Hua quickly recovered and slept normally at night.
Precautions and recommendations
Establish a regular routine
Help your baby establish a regular sleep schedule and a regular sleep pattern, which can help reduce crying at night.
Way:
Regular feeding schedules: Maintain regular feeding schedules and avoid overfeeding.
Fix your sleep time: Put your baby to sleep at the same time every day and establish sleep habits.
Provide a comfortable sleeping environment
Create a comfortable, safe sleeping environment where your baby feels at ease and comfortable.
Way:
Proper sleeping temperature: Control the room temperature at 20-22 degrees Celsius and avoid overheating or cold.
Quiet sleeping environment: Reduce light and noise, use soft lighting and white noise.
Pay attention to your baby's physical condition
Check your baby's physical condition regularly to identify and deal with potential health problems.
Way:
Regular physical examination: Take your baby for regular physical examination to monitor growth and development.
Observe behavior: Carefully observe the baby's behavior and performance, and detect abnormalities in time.
Nighttime crying is common, but if the crying persists and can't be soothed, parents should be alert to potential health problems. By understanding common causes and soothing methods, as well as paying attention to possible symptoms of illness, parents can better help their baby through the discomfort of the night. Hopefully, this article will provide you with practical guidance so that both your baby and you can have a restful night.