Why does my child startle when sleeping at night?

Sleeping is particularly important for children because their physical development needs to take place during sleep. Some mothers will find that their children startle frequently when they sleep at night. This may be caused by being frightened or catching a cold. People need to pay special attention to this situation. Here we will explain why children startle frequently when they sleep at night.

First of all, startle is a normal phenomenon. When the baby is asleep or awake, his limbs will shake quickly several times after hearing a sound. Sometimes they wake up from a deep sleep, open their eyes, tremble or twitch slightly, cry, and stretch their arms, hands, feet and toes outwards. It looks like being frightened. This is the "startle" phenomenon of the newborn, which is a "self-protection reaction" used to respond to or defend against external aggression. The reflex usually disappears within 3-5 months.

When the baby is over 6 months old, the sleep time will gradually increase from the short sleep time in the past. At this time, night terrors begin to occur due to the lack of adaptation to sleeping habits. After the baby falls asleep, he will gradually transition from light sleep to deep sleep, and the brain's control over the body will gradually relax. Simply put, some parts of the brain are asleep, while other parts are not. Night terrors occur during the light sleep stage.

The phenomenon of "night terrors" is not abnormal, but if there is insufficient sensory stimulation and exercise, the startle reflex will remain, which will not only affect sleep, but also make children easily frightened in different environments and afraid to try anything new.

How to reduce the baby's "startle" phenomenon?

1. Provide a comfortable sleeping environment

Children's nervous systems are very sensitive, and even the slightest stimulation can cause a big reaction.

Overheating, overcooling, bright lights, and the sound of the TV outside can all affect children's sleep. Therefore, creating a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment can effectively improve sleep quality.

2. Adjust your sleeping habits

Some parents allow their children to stay up late and have no regular rest. If children can go to bed on time every day and develop good sleeping habits, their sleep quality will definitely improve greatly. Avoiding excitement and strenuous activities before going to bed can reduce sleep startles.