Newborns are startled when they sleep. Reasons why newborns don't sleep well

Newborns spend most of the day sleeping. Many mothers will find that their babies are restless and startled when sleeping. At this time, some mothers will be very worried. So here we will learn about why newborns startle when sleeping? What are the reasons for newborns' poor sleep?

Newborn babies are always startled when they sleep. This is a normal physiological phenomenon, clinically called the startle reflex. The startle reflex is a very important innate primitive reflex in the early stage of infancy, which helps infants defend against external attacks. The typical manifestation of the startle reflex during sleep is startling, which will gradually disappear in about three or four months. If this happens to the baby when sleeping, as long as the mother gently presses any part of the baby's body, the baby will calm down. If the baby's startle is more serious, it is recommended that mothers buy a special baby sleeping bag or quilt, and gently wrap the baby to sleep (avoid wrapping too tightly), so that the baby will have enough sense of security when sleeping, and the number of startles will be reduced.

1. There are many reasons why newborns don’t sleep well. When babies have to urinate or defecate at night, they will cry non-stop, and it is difficult to fall asleep, let alone the quality of sleep. Babies have small stomach capacity and eat more frequently. If they feel hungry in the middle of the night, they will naturally cry non-stop.

2. In addition, lack of security is also one of the important reasons why babies wake up easily. The mother's womb is closed, safe and warm for the baby in the fetal period. After the baby is born, he goes to a new environment and sees different people and things every day. All of these are unfamiliar to the baby, and he will have more or less fear.

If your baby does not sleep well, it is very likely caused by an illness. The pain caused by some diseases makes it impossible for the child to sleep well. Therefore, when the child has trouble sleeping, you must carefully analyze the child's situation. If the child simply cannot sleep, you can rest assured that the child will naturally fall asleep when he is tired from playing. However, if other diseases cause the child to suffer from insomnia, timely treatment is required.

The startle reaction is medically known as the neonatal grasping reaction. Normally, it should disappear at 3 months, and can be delayed to 4 months at the latest. If the startle reaction still does not disappear at 4 months, it means that the baby's brain development is slow or there is a possibility of brain damage. If the baby's startle reaction disappears with a delay, it will affect the baby's holding objects, turning over, etc., so it is recommended to take the baby to the child growth and development department for monitoring in time. If the baby has high-risk factors before, at, or after birth, it is best to do a cranial MRI to further clarify and conduct early rehabilitation training if necessary. The startle reaction is mainly caused by the incomplete development of the neonatal nervous system, immature development of the cerebral cortex, high excitability of central nervous cells, and excitement caused by stimulation. If the child is still prone to startle or tremor of the limbs at around five months, there may be calcium deficiency or abnormal development of the brain or nervous system. Go to the pediatric outpatient clinic of a public hospital in time for further diagnosis and treatment.

If your baby's startle reflex is too frequent, you should pay attention to the following situations:

First, the baby's nervous system is immature, and stimulation is easily magnified, causing the baby to be easily frightened and have a startle reflex;

Second, vitamin D deficiency rickets, which is often accompanied by night crying, excessive sweating, baldness on the back of the head, square head and other symptoms;

Third, brain hypoxia or central nervous system infection after the baby is born can also cause the baby to have frequent startle reflexes.

The above health knowledge is for reference only. For specific situations, you need to go to a regular hospital for examination and have a professional doctor make a judgment. Do not diagnose or treat yourself.