The reason why babies sleep or stretch, startle, do not fall asleep

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ngo Thi Oanh - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital. Uncle Ho has over 10 years of experience working in the field of Pediatrics and has strengths in examining, diagnosing and treating respiratory, digestive, urological, and child nutrition diseases.

Newborn sleeping or twisting, leaning and startling in the first months of life is a very normal physiological phenomenon, it usually only lasts for a few seconds and then disappears immediately, so parents should not worry too much.
But if this phenomenon of leaning and startling happens quite often, parents need to find out the cause and how to treat this condition for the child.

There are many reasons why babies sleep or twist and startle when they sleep.
1.1 Newborn babies sleep or twist due to physiology The baby's sleeping place is too bright, uncomfortable, warm, or there are many loud noises around, which affects the baby's sleep. Because the baby is fed too full or the child is hungry: The baby's stomach is very small, each feeding can only take a small amount of milk, so the baby is very hungry and also full quickly. These things will cause babies to twist and spit milk after each feeding. When urinating or defecating, babies often twist and push to get as much of the waste out as possible. Because the baby's diaper is wet or the mother wraps the towel around the baby too tightly, it makes the baby feel uncomfortable.

1.2 Newborns sleep or twist due to disease Gastroesophageal reflux is a common disease that causes babies to twist and startle when they sleep. Because children have liver diseases such as jaundice, their body produces too much bilirubin, which damages their brains and causes seizures in babies. Hypocalcemia: Newborns are very susceptible to hypocalcemia. When children with hypocalcemia often show signs of being agitated, not sleeping well, or crying at night, twisting and leaning when sleeping. Neurological diseases such as congenital neurological disorders, damaged nerves of the baby, this is also one of the reasons why babies sleep or startle, or twist when sleeping. When the baby's skin is hurt, itchy, burning or the baby's ear is penetrated by insects while sleeping, it also causes the child to twist.

The phenomenon of sleeping or twisting, startling when sleeping, whether physiological or pathological causes, also affects a child's sleep more or less, making the infant sleep short, affecting the health of the child. To limit this situation, parents can apply the following methods:
The child's sleeping space needs to be quiet and comfortable, the child's bedroom temperature is just enough, not too hot or too cold. Feed the baby just enough, not too full or hungry. Use diapers that are suitable for your baby's skin, and wear loose-fitting clothes for a better night's sleep. Choose soft, smooth, absorbent diapers to create maximum comfort for your baby when sleeping. Dress your baby in loose and warm enough pajamas. Clean children's bedrooms, wash children's blankets regularly, so that children do not get itchy and uncomfortable. Change diapers for babies often, do not let diapers get too wet. When seeing an infant sleeping or startled, mothers can hold the baby in their arms, sing lullabies, pat, caress, cuddle so that the baby feels safe and protected when sleeping. Regular sunbathing for children, so sunbathing for children in the morning when the light is soft to supplement vitamin D and calcium for children. The mother of the child needs to supplement with adequate nutrients, avoid dieting because the infant's nutritional source at this time is completely provided from breast milk, so when the mother does not have enough nutrients, it will cause the baby to die. Lack of substances, especially calcium deficiency, affects both physical and mental health of children. =>> Helpful advice from a Neonatologist at Vinmec International Hospital:
7 ways to ensure a safe sleep for babies How many degrees should babies lie on?

In order for their children to have a good night's sleep, parents need to find out the reasons why their children often stretch out, startle when they sleep, and do not sleep deeply to treat their children effectively, help them have a good sleep. can be fully developed both physically and mentally.
Parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve resistance for children. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.