Why Does My Baby Cry with Closed Eyes at Night?
When babies cry, it is usually when they are awake. If parents soothe the baby, everything will be fine. However, some parents may notice that their babies cry with their eyes closed. Such abnormal behavior can be concerning for parents, who worry about potential health issues. So, why do babies cry with their eyes closed at night? Let's take a look:
1. Immature Brain Development
Human sleep consists of deep sleep and light sleep, alternating approximately every 3-4 hours during the night. Infants and toddlers experience the same cycle. When the transition between deep and light sleep is difficult to adjust, babies may cry or wake up. Especially for babies with highly excited nervous systems, their physiological maturity is often delayed, leading to disrupted sleep. When babies cannot adjust the transition between deep and light sleep, especially around four to five months old, as their nervous system and brain cortex develop and become more active, they may experience worse sleep and wake up more frequently.
2. Overstimulation Before Sleep
Establish a regular routine for your baby and stick to it, ensuring they go to bed on time. About 0.5 to 1 hour before bedtime, help your baby calm down and avoid overstimulating activities. This will prevent them from being too excited or nervous and having difficulty falling asleep. Create a good sleep environment for your baby with a comfortable room temperature and dim lighting.
3. Deficiency of Trace Elements
Low blood calcium levels can increase brain and vegetative nerve excitability, leading to disrupted sleep in babies. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor to check for any deficiencies in trace elements and supplement them accordingly. Additionally, ensure that your baby receives adequate vitamin AD.
4. Indigestion and Overeating
Indigestion, overeating, and other digestive issues can lead to disrupted sleep. It is recommended to feed solid foods such as porridge or noodles to your baby at least two to three hours before bedtime. A small amount of milk before bedtime is usually sufficient. Many mothers mistakenly believe that their baby is hungry when they wake up crying at night and feed them, but this can actually create a habit of waking up and expecting to be fed.