What Are the Potential Reasons for a Baby Crying at Night?

Many people believe that pregnant mothers have already endured considerable pain during pregnancy, but the truly busy phase begins after childbirth. Many babies sleep during the day but tend to cry at night due to hunger, discomfort, or other reasons, which seriously affects the sleep of both parents. So, what are the reasons for babies' crying at night? Here are some possible explanations:

Reason 1: Hunger

Babies may cry at night because they are hungry and need to be fed. Younger infants often have the habit of eating at night, so parents should feed them promptly when they cry.

Reason 2: Need for Diaper Change

After excretion at night, babies often use crying to notify their parents. This is one of the most common reasons for babies crying during their sleep. Therefore, when a baby wakes up and cries at night, parents should promptly check if they need to change the diaper.

Reason 3: Discomfort from Tight Clothing

If a baby's clothing is too tight or the diaper is not suitable, it may cause discomfort and lead to crying at night.

Reason 4: Parasites

If a baby has parasites, especially pinworms, they may crawl out of the anus at night to lay eggs. This can irritate the delicate skin of the anus and surrounding area, causing extreme itching and frequent crying. Therefore, when a baby cries for unexplained reasons, parents should also check for parasite eggs around the anus.

Reason 5: Deficiency of Calcium and Other Micronutrients

If a baby lacks zinc or calcium, they may have a weak constitution, poor appetite, frequent night waking, crying, excessive sweating, and sparse hair. These symptoms suggest that the baby may be deficient in these nutrients, which is a common reason for disrupted sleep and crying at night.

In fact, it is quite normal for children to cry. As the saying goes, no child grows up without crying. Along with happiness, children also experience setbacks and difficulties. It is through these challenges that they learn new skills and knowledge and continue to grow. We need to realize that crying, like laughing, is an emotional expression of being human and a precious experience of life. When a child cries due to injury, frustration, sadness, or other emotions, we can first accept their feelings and allow them to release their emotions through crying. Quietly accompanying them and providing timely comfort or hugs after their emotions have calmed down can be helpful.