Why babies cry in their sleep?
Having a baby changes everything. It is a beautiful and enriching experience, while challenging parents to change their pace of life once baby arrives. Parenthood is bliss, yet bringing up a baby is not a piece of cake. With so many things to take care of, including nap times, feeding schedules, and regular vaccinations, parenting can take a toll on parents. Don’t worry, it is all worth it in the end, when you see your little one smile at you with the most adorable face!
One challenge that parents face is managing their sleep schedules. This is because babies can often wake up crying at night or in their sleep. If you ever wonder why babies do so, it can actually have a variety of reasons. Let us take a look at some of them.
Babies are hungry
Due to the tiny size of their bellies, babies get hungry far more often than we could imagine. This is the major reason why babies wake up at night and cry. Babies under three months may need to be fed every two to three hours, which basically means no long sleeps for you in the beginning! As your baby grows, they will begin to have longer stretches of sleep. If you aren’t sure if your baby is hungry, watch for signs such as your little one putting his/her hands into the mouth or making a sucking sound. If you see or hear them doing so, it is time for some delicious food!
Perhaps they need a change of diaper
Another reason for babies crying at night could be the discomfort of a wet or dirty diaper. Some babies can tolerate it more than others, while some start crying the moment they conclude their business. Check your baby’s diaper to see if that is what wakes them up at night.
Babies might need comfort
It might happen that your little one is longing for some comfort or reassurance that you are close by. Babies or toddlers crying in their sleep could also be a sign of experiencing night terrors, which is a common but not harmful phenomenon. If your baby becomes agitated during sleep, pick him/her up, talk softly, and try rubbing their back or stomach. If your baby wakes up after such an ordeal, help soothe him/her back to sleep.
Pain or gas buildup
Babies are very prone to gas buildup. If not burped after feeding, babies may experience discomfort in their stomachs. For instance, if you put the baby to sleep after feeding, and forget to burp the baby, he/she might wake up crying due to gas buildup caused by gulping of air with the milk. This makes babies fuss and cry once the gas builds up in their stomachs, causing discomfort. The best way to burp a baby is to pat their back to help the air come up and out.
Check the room temperature
Babies can wake up from a good night’s sleep if the temperature of the room does not suit them. They might feel hot or cold, depending on the room temperature, and wake up crying. For example, when babies feel cold, they are likelier to cry. Wrap the baby up in light layers and put him/her back to sleep again. Be careful, wrapping the baby up too tight can make him/her too hot, increasing the chances of waking up.
Teething pains
Teething can occur from the age of three to four months and can cause babies to chew on everything that they lay their hands on, and drool excessively. While sleeping, teething can cause discomfort due to which babies start crying. Gently massaging the gums, and providing babies with refrigerated teethers can do the trick and soothe babies right back to sleep.
Peaceful Sleep
To help reduce your baby crying at night, check if the baby is hungry or needs a change. Provide your baby with a little comfort from you, see if they need a burp or have gas pains, check the temperature in the room, or if they have teething pain. Back to happy sleeping times!