Why do babies suddenly wake up at night?

This article is professionally consulted by Resident Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 8 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics - Neonatology.

Even the best sleeping babies can wake up suddenly at night. Especially at the age of 6 months onwards, when children begin to worry about lack of love from their parents.
Other common causes of sudden nighttime awakenings in young children include illness or preparation for a growth spurt. In this case, in addition to treating fever, sore throat or ear infection you can try some other ways such as:
Make sure your child gets enough sleep: The less sleep your child sleeps during the day, the harder it will be to fall asleep and sleep well at night. Families need to give the baby enough naps during the day and go to bed at the right time at night. Talk softly and soothe when your child wakes up suddenly at night: Stay with your child until he or she is calm, but avoid talking loudly, talking too much, and turning on bright lights. It may take a few nights or even weeks for your baby to sleep well again, but the more closely you monitor your baby's sleep habits, the sooner the problem will be resolved.

Some infants develop sleep terrors as early as 18 months of age. This type of sleep disorder is different from nightmares, which are common in children between the ages of 2 and 4.
Sleep panic attacks appear early in the night sleep cycle when the baby transitions from deep sleep to light sleep, from a few minutes to 45 minutes, the child is always in a state of sleep. Meanwhile, nightmares occur later in the night sleep cycle and the child may wake up from the nightmare.
Nocturnal panic attacks occur during deep sleep. The baby has manifestations such as sudden crying, even screaming. Children often do not remember what happened when asked the next morning. The best thing you can do is make sure your child is safe.
Signs that your baby is having a sleep panic disorder :
Screaming Sweating Swirling or pounding hands and feet Eyes open, emotionless Tachycardia Rapid breathing Rapid sleep panic attacks usually occur only once a day night.

Children often have night terrors due to overstimulation of the central nervous system. This happens because the baby's brain is developing and being exposed to the new world.

Children are more likely to panic at night if someone in their family has been sick or sleepwalked. Other factors that increase the risk of nocturnal panic attacks include:
Illness Certain medications Fatigue Stress New sleeping environment Poor sleep quality.

Children who sleep through the night may reduce the risk of night terrors. Here are some ways you can encourage your baby to sleep better:
Understand how long your baby needs to sleep: Babies 4 - 12 months need 12 - 16 hours of sleep a day, 1 - 2 years old need 11-14 hours of sleep . Creating a bedtime routine will help your child sleep more, even during periods of illness and teething. Habits must be simple and easy to follow, such as brushing teeth, reading books before going to bed. For best results, start the bedtime routine before your baby starts rubbing his eyes, as that is a sign of fatigue.

Families should take their children to the doctor if they detect unusual signs such as convulsions, fear or anxiety throughout the night or even day, sudden formation of habits that cause difficulty sleeping, snoring. They can be signs of medical conditions that need treatment.

Families can also seek advice from a doctor if they are having trouble building a child's sleep routine. When you visit, you need to clearly state your symptoms, sleep time and other unusual habits and behaviors to provide clear information to the doctor.
Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections... parents need special attention attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: Including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, Master's degree), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull, stem cell transplant blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

Reference sources: babycenter.com, healthline.com