Why does the baby always cry when he wakes up? Try this!
Does your baby always cry for a while after waking up, especially at night? Daytime might be slightly better, but nights often turn into sleepless chaos. When the baby can't sleep well, it disrupts the whole family's rest. It's unclear if it's due to a lack of security or insufficient sleep, but the only way to soothe the baby back to sleep seems to be continuous comforting.
Many parents have endured the exhausting process of soothing a fussy baby. Why does your baby wake up crying? Is it due to physiological reasons, pathological factors, or improper parenting methods?Smilymia has prepared a solution for you
Why does a baby wake up crying? Here are four common reasons:
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Physiological Reasons: Babies often wake up at night due to certain physiological needs (hunger, wet diaper, etc.) before they establish a regular feeding schedule. If the crying is due to a physiological need, it usually stops once the need is met (like feeding or changing a diaper).
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Psychological Reasons: Lack of Security: Babies need a strong sense of security. When they wake up and can't smell their mom or feel her presence, they tend to cry. Another reason could be that the baby was put to bed already asleep. In their perception, they fell asleep in mom's arms, but waking up alone in bed creates a sense of disparity, causing them to cry.
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Sleep Problems: Not Enough Sleep: Babies have sleep cycles of about 45 minutes, mostly in light sleep, making them easily startled awake. If a baby wakes up suddenly or can't transition between sleep cycles on their own, they might wake up crying because they haven't had enough sleep.
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Physical Discomfort: If a baby wakes up crying due to physical discomfort, it usually comes with other signs (poor spirits, lack of appetite, etc.). Parents need to judge comprehensively and take the baby to see a doctor if necessary.
Solution 1: Addressing Psychological Reasons for Waking Up Crying
If physiological needs are ruled out, parents should consider if the baby didn't sleep well or if there were issues with the soothing method. For sleep problems due to improper parenting methods, this tried-and-true approach can help.
Recognize the Baby's Sleepy Signals: To successfully soothe a baby to sleep, it's crucial to recognize when they are sleepy. Trying to put a baby to sleep when they aren't tired can lead to long soothing times and easy wake-ups. Conversely, if the baby is overtired, it can lead to crying before sleep and restless sleep. Look for signs like yawning, rubbing eyes, becoming calm, or looking dazed.
Put the Baby to Bed Before They Fall Asleep: The "putting the baby to bed without crying, putting the baby to bed without falling asleep" method involves placing the baby in the crib for soothing as long as they aren't crying. For babies who aren't used to being rocked to sleep, this can be easier. For high-need babies or those accustomed to being rocked to sleep, look for signs of drowsiness—almost asleep but not quite—and then place them in the crib. The goal is to make the baby familiar with their sleep environment to avoid waking up crying.
Put some toys on his/her bed:Many babies are very interested in new things, especially toys. Here I recommend smilymia's teether, which many babies like very much and the quality is also very good.
Solution 2: Addressing Sleep Problems Leading to Waking Up Crying
Even adults dislike being woken up before they are ready, feeling grumpy when the alarm goes off. Babies feel the same when they wake up without having had enough sleep. Here are some tips to prevent this:
Ensure a Comfortable Sleep Environment: An uncomfortable sleep environment can cause a baby to wake up crying. Ensure the temperature is right and there isn't too much noise. During the day, it’s okay to have some background noise, but at night, keep the environment quiet and dark to help the baby sleep more soundly and stay asleep longer.
Daytime Naps Are Important: Babies under three need naps for better physical and brain development. Studies show that babies who nap properly during the day adapt better and have better nighttime sleep. Ensuring proper naps can improve overall sleep quality.
Assist with Transitioning Between Sleep Cycles: For babies who can't transition between sleep cycles on their own, parents can assist to help them sleep longer. Since babies have 45-minute sleep cycles, soothing them back to sleep at the end of a cycle can help them get enough rest. However, avoid doing this for evening naps to prevent disrupting nighttime sleep.
