Sleep disorders in babies: What you need to know

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Bui Thi Ha - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital. Uncle has more than 11 years of experience working in the field of Pediatrics - Neonatology and has strengths in the field of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation, neonatology, access to diagnosis, treatment, neonatal diseases such as childbirth, etc. prematurity, endothelial disease, respiratory failure, neonatal infection, pneumonia, dermatitis, umbilical cord infection, enteritis, indirect hyperbilirubinemia.

Sleep is very important for the development of infants and young children. A good night's sleep will bring positive effects to the overall development of children.
Sleep disorders in infants, the most common of which is difficulty sleeping, not only affects the current health but also adversely affects the child's development in the future.

Sleep is the time for the brain to develop. Sleep participates in the development of children through growth hormone. Up to 80% of brain cells are generated in the first 3 years of life, which is closely related to the sleep duration and quality of sleep. Not only has a role in physical development, sleep is also meaningful for intellectual development, because sleep is the time for the brain to process the information that children receive during the day.
If not due to force majeure, children should have all the conditions to get a good night's sleep, ensuring both sleep time and sleep quality. A sleep disorder that can make a child fussy or irritable; In the long term, it can lead to memory loss, reduced learning ability, and even behavioral and emotional disturbances in adulthood.

It is difficult to say exactly how much sleep is enough in babies, because it depends on the physical characteristics of each child. On average, a newborn baby sleeps 18-20 hours a day. The time each child sleeps is different, on average about 30-180 minutes, sometimes up to 5-10 hours/sleep. Newborns usually sleep more during the day. As children get older, the amount of time they sleep during the day gets shorter and shorter.

3.1. Physiological causes There are 2 types of sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement: rapid eye movement, with manifestations of tachycardia, rapid breathing, increased brain metabolism,...) and NREM (Non Rapid Eye Movement: no rapid eye movements).
In infants, NREM and REM sleep take up almost equal time (50%) while in adults, NREM sleep accounts for 75% of total sleep time, while REM sleep only takes up 75% of total sleep time. 25%. More REM sleep in infants than in adults makes it easier to wake babies, with just a slight movement to wake them up completely.

In addition, before the child's developmental milestones such as crawling, teething, sitting, walking, ... or when the child moves too much, it can affect the child's sleep. Too much or too little diet can sometimes be the reason why babies have trouble sleeping.
3.2. Pathological causes Digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological,... can all lead to sleep disturbances in infants. Some chronic diseases can also affect children's sleep and worsen, affecting the overall development of children.
3.3. Mistakes in putting children to sleep Sleep is too long: Putting children to sleep too much during the day, especially past 5 pm, can affect children's sleep; Sleep is dependent on surrounding factors: Items that are frequently used to lull a child to sleep such as a crib, hammock can make a child's sleep dependent, without them, the child cannot sleep. Or more commonly, the child is too dependent on the mother, when the mother is not around, the child will definitely not sleep; The sleeping environment is too noisy or too bright: Noise and bright light can be the cause of newborn sleep disturbances. Sometimes the frequent change of sleeping place can also be the reason why the baby has trouble sleeping.

Maintain regular sleep and wake times every day to form circadian rhythms for children; Children should be taught good habits before going to bed, such as bathing, cleaning the body, massaging the child, and changing into spacious and airy clothes. If this is done regularly and regularly before putting the child to sleep, it will create a conditioned reflex, the child will be aware of going to sleep after being washed clean; Children can bring their favorite things while sleeping to create a sense of security and help them have a good night's sleep;

Should teach children to distinguish between day and night. During the day, the room should be filled with light; At night, do not let light in. If the child cannot distinguish between light and dark, he may not sleep all night; Children should not exercise too much before sleeping; Children should not be fed while lying down; Do not overuse hammocks, electric cribs, ... when putting children to sleep because it can make children depend on them too much, which makes it more difficult for children to sleep without these factors; Some medications that have a stimulant effect should not be used before bedtime because they can cause sleep disturbances in babies. Sleep disorder in infants is a condition that is no longer strange to parents with young children, causing many impacts on children's activities and development. There are many reasons that make it difficult for babies to sleep, including physiological causes, pathologies and even mistakes in putting babies to sleep. However, sleep disorders can still be prevented with the right measures.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.