Babies cry at night: When is it abnormal?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi An - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital. He was former Head of Pediatrics Department, Quang Ninh Provincial General Hospital. He has successfully treated many preterm infants with low birth weight and gestational age from 800 grams and 28 weeks or more, severe respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.
Sleeping or crying at night is a common symptom in infants and young children. However, not everyone knows when a baby's nighttime crying is abnormal. Mothers need to know when babies cry at night when it's abnormal to find out the cause as well as ways to overcome it to take better care of the baby.

1. When is it normal for babies to cry at night?

From the time a baby is born until 8 weeks old, babies often cry and most of them will cry at night, making parents worried. However, it is considered normal for the baby to cry during this period. At this stage, the baby crying is considered a sign of the baby's development in the first months after birth and getting used to the environment outside the womb.
The condition of babies fussing or crying at night, refusing to sleep, will gradually decrease when the baby is 4 months old or older. The reason is that the baby has adapted to the environment and the parents have also understood the baby's habits, so the care will be better. Children sleeping or crying at night is considered normal when it is not accompanied by other symptoms such as: Baby sleeping or startled, snoring, panicking and crying,...

2. When is it unusual for babies to cry at night?

On the contrary, with children who cry at night abnormally and are accompanied by a number of symptoms such as: When the baby sleeps, they often startle, snore, panic and often cry, ... may be a phenomenon. physiologic. However, if this phenomenon occurs frequently and for a long time, it can affect the physical and mental health of the child and parents need to think about the problem of the baby crying due to a medical condition.
Babies cry abnormally at night, may wake up in the middle of the night, scream or startle when sleeping, because the baby's nervous system is developing and not yet complete, and the inhibitory ability is still poor. Therefore, if the baby has too much activity during the day, it makes the child's brain still in a state of excitement, making the baby cry while sleeping. However, if a baby often starts to startle while sleeping, it can also be a manifestation of a series of abnormalities in the structure or function of the brain. Therefore, parents need to take the baby to a medical facility to have a lot of information as well as necessary tests for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
There are cases of babies with unusual nighttime crying, crying more persistently, crying more than three hours a day, and often crying at night, for more than three days per week and for more than three weeks. The most likely cause is that the baby is allergic to cow's milk protein. In this case, parents need to take the baby to see a pediatrician to determine if it is the result of a cow's milk protein allergy.
Newborn babies cry at night, refuse to sleep, cry for no reason, when crying often bend their knees to their stomach, it is likely that the baby is suffering from physiological colic. The pain occurs at the same time of day, usually occurs at dusk and lasts about 1 to 2 hours, after which the baby stops on its own. Children often cry when they are about 3 to 4 months and then spontaneously stop, although they cry and have abdominal pain, they still gain weight well. Therefore, mothers need to take their children to medical facilities every month to monitor their weight.
However, if the baby's crying lasts longer, crying more at night can also be a sign of rickets. Rickets often makes children tired, uncomfortable and born fussy at night and refuses to sleep for a long time. This case is often accompanied by a number of signs such as: slow teething, turban-shaped hair loss and frequent sweating. The most likely cause is because the baby's nutrition is not guaranteed, calcium deficiency or because the baby is cared for in a room that is too closed, vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, the mother needs to let the baby sunbathe in the early morning, keep the room well ventilated, not to lack light. Need to take the baby to see the doctor for appropriate treatment and diet.
In addition, if the baby cries loudly, accompanied by other symptoms such as: Vomiting, bending over, crying loudly, refusing to feed and urinating blood, it is most likely a sign of intussusception. In this case, parents need to take the baby to the emergency room right away.

3. How does the baby sleep or cry at night?

Children cry abnormally at night, often startle, cry and refuse to sleep for a long time, which significantly affects the child's development and leaves consequences for both mother and baby.
Affects the baby
Mental retardation and reduced cognitive and learning abilities. Growth hormone is reduced, children slow to gain weight and develop height. The child's immune and digestive systems are suppressed. Increased cerebral blood pressure, high blood pressure. Great pressure on the heart, leading to heart palpitations, the health of the baby will not be guaranteed. Effects on mother
Stress, leading to postpartum depression. Losing milk due to stress and having to stay up at night to take care of the baby, so the mother's health is not guaranteed. How to overcome
Newborn crying at night refusing to sleep, often startled, restless sleep, not getting enough sleep, ... will lead to the risk of the baby being susceptible to infections and growth retardation. , height. To limit the phenomenon of babies sleeping or crying at night, parents should note:
Do not pat the back when the baby is startled or nursing, but need to observe if the baby continues to sleep. Only comfort and feed your baby when he cries loudly and makes strong movements. Do not cover your baby with too many blankets to avoid sweating and catching a cold. Do not leave the light too bright when the baby sleeps and do not make loud noises, to avoid causing the baby to startle and wake up. Supplement vitamin D and calcium for children to avoid rickets from malnutrition, because rickets is also the cause of children sleeping or crying at night. Prevent vitamin D and calcium deficiency by keeping your baby out of a room that is too dark and dimly lit. Breastfeeding until 18-24 months old. Because breast milk is the most valuable source of nutrition for the baby, providing a complete range of nutrients, at this age breast milk is the best for the baby. Usually, children cry, fuss at night, refuse to sleep, sleep or are startled. There are many reasons why babies cry at night. The exact cause of persistent crying is unclear. It is so common in infants that many experts suggest it may simply be a normal developmental stage. However, the condition of babies crying at night also has many levels.
At a mild level, the baby only fusses for a while and then stops, this is a common sign in babies, especially babies and it does not affect the baby much. In more severe cases, the baby's abnormal nighttime crying will last longer, be more persistent, and cry non-stop. Even the baby cries hoarsely, the cry is a bit unusual. This is a sign that the child is having a problem, is uncomfortable and has difficulty falling asleep, needs great attention from parents. In the period from 0 to 6 months of age, parents need to distinguish between night crying and pathological crying in children. In addition to the crying, if the baby is still healthy, eating and sleeping normally, parents do not have to be too alarmed. However, parents need to pay special attention to the baby, if the baby cries at night abnormally and is accompanied by signs such as anorexia, sweating and especially sweat, ... they should take the baby away. examination to detect disease. Parents must not be too subjective to avoid unexpected cases.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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