Why does the baby sleep so hard?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Phan Ngoc Hai - Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

1. Causes of sleep deprivation

Crying is a form of communication of feelings and desires of babies when they do not yet know how to use language. Children cry related to sleep for many reasons such as:
Child's personality: With babies with the personality of 'Angel - very easygoing' or 'methodical - according to books', the baby is easy to recognize. understand needs and respond to comfort very easily, most babies are very good at sleeping on their own, these babies show early self-sleep. However, babies who are “sensitive – very sensitive to stimulation, changes in environment, light” or babies who are “irritable” – they react very violently to things they do not like or when they are not responded to properly. needs” is often more difficult and often takes a lot of time to calm down, sleep times are also longer. Developmental stages: there are stages of growth, reaching specific milestones or wonder week days. , children will become irritable, sleep more heavily than other days. After this age or time frame, the child will settle back down without any intervention. No specific schedule: It is easier for children to have a clear schedule so they can know when to eat, and there are warning signs to let them know they are ready to go to bed (environmental environment). , light, temperature, cuddling or reading, bathing...) Parents can study and apply the original formula of the easy method or the 4s or 5s method in the cycle of preparing the child to go. sleep. Children are too sleepy: Many parents may not recognize the cues when a child is sleepy, not putting the child to bed early when the need arises. Leads to children being too sleepy, too tired because they don't sleep at the right time and enough sleep. Not all babies can sleep when feeling sleepy or tired, but babies need mom or dad to soothe them to sleep. Therefore, parents need to recognize when the child is sleepy, let the child go to bed earlier, which will help the child to be less irritable when sleeping. Children who are overstimulated before sleeping: children need to be prepared for a quiet sleep environment, with little light and noise before putting them to sleep, a condition for letting them know they will be able to go to sleep. Avoid laughing, playing too much fun or playing music too loud, flashing lights, excessive stimulation before sleep will make it difficult for children to fall asleep. Children who do not get enough sleep: When a child is sleeping, he may wake up for some reason, a child who wakes up when he does not get enough sleep will be grumpy, cry, refuse to play. Children with full stomach: Many mothers often put their babies to sleep by putting them to sleep, when the baby is breastfed, if the mother has a lot of milk, the baby will be full while still not sleeping. Children are full but still want to continue to sleep, it will make them uncomfortable, full of stomach, intense sleep. When the child is like that, burp the child to reduce the fullness of the stomach and then let the child sleep again. Children have nightmares: While sleeping, babies cry, it may be because they have a dream that makes them scared and stressed. Vitamin D deficiency: leading to calcium deficiency, children manifest through sleep deprivation, intense crying at night, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, turban-shaped hair loss...

2. How to overcome sleep deprivation?

2.1 Practice a more regular and punctual sleep routine With babies and young children, they will sleep most of the day, but some children have a harder time sleeping. For these children, parents need to have a specific schedule of activities as well as recognize the signs when the child is sleepy, when the child begins to show signs of sleepiness such as: yawning, refusing to play, lethargic eyes... put the child to sleep immediately. Create a sleeping environment for your baby: Children will sleep more easily in an environment with less light, without too much noise, at an appropriate temperature, and airy. In the evening: Let the child relax before going to bed, create a dark environment for the child to fall asleep more easily and should let the child sleep earlier than usual. Putting babies to bed early helps their bodies secrete hormones that regulate their sleep cycles.

2.2 Comforting and comforting children Young children often feel insecure, so when they sleep, they may cry or have terrible dreams that make them cry. At that time, hold the baby in your arms, pat and stroke the baby to reduce feelings of insecurity. Parents can apply the 4s or 5s sleep sequence depending on the age of the child, including Sleep routine, Swaddling, Sitting and Shush pat rumble or soft white noise).
2.3 Adequate vitamin D supplementation for children Children will sleep better and sleep less heavily if they are supplemented with vitamin D. The need for vitamin D of infants and young children is 400UI per day, which can be supplemented by oral supplements. Expose children to the sun for 15-20 minutes every day, exposure to sunlight helps the body synthesize vitamin D.

2.4 Exposing children to natural light Exposure to natural light is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D, which most of us know. But in addition to that effect, exposing children to natural light also helps children establish a circadian rhythm of day and night. Especially exposing children to light in the morning, this helps the body produce the hormone melatonin at the right time in the child's circadian sleep cycle.
2.5 Don't let children eat too full at bedtime If too full will make the baby's stomach uncomfortable, difficult to sleep, and make the child too tired leading to irritability when going to bed.
2.6 Provide enough iron If the child is already eating solid foods, make sure to provide adequate iron in the diet
The child will sleep better at night. Iron is found in foods such as red meats, green vegetables, beans....
2.6 Do not eat energy-rich foods in the evening Do not give children high-energy foods in the evening. High-energy foods such as sweets, sweets... If they provide a lot of energy-rich food, children will be more excited, and it will be difficult to fall asleep. Making children sleep later, tired and sleepy will make children irritable.
2.7 Take the child to the doctor If the child still has trouble sleeping, realizes that the child's sleep is too little for his age, lack of sleep and suspects a sleep disorder, it is necessary to take the child to the doctor to find the cause and fix it.

In short, children who have a hard time sleeping have many different reasons, parents try to hear and distinguish the cries of children to know the cause and how to overcome each time the child is harsh. If your child shows signs of sleep disorder or lack of sleep, it is necessary for the child to see a doctor to find the cause and overcome to avoid affecting the child's development.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve resistance for children. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
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