It’s absolutely normal for a baby to wake up and cry, most notably during the nighttime. For us, taking a good ol’ nap for six to nine hours at a stretch is a no-brainer. But it isn’t the same with the babies, especially during the first couple of months of their lives.
Crying is the only way a baby can communicate with us. It’s also true that, at times, babies cry for no good reason. For the most part, they are trying to convey their feelings, which the parents get the hang of over time!
Now, let’s address the babies in the room….. and one thing as to why they do it! Yes, we’re talking about “Why does a baby wake up crying?” If you’ve whispered the same to yourself at some point, you’ve bumped into the right page. Pat yourself to the back!
#1 Unsettling Sleep Cycles
Consistency, when it comes to sleep cycles, is a far cry for a baby! At one moment, they’re in deep slumber; the next moment, they might be in a slight state of rest. The arrangement turns a complete 360 the very next day.
Unlike us, they can wake up from a deep sleep all of a sudden and fall back asleep in a jiffy without breaking a sweat. We can’t say on your behalf, but for us, doing that is no less than a superpower.
However, the scenario mentioned above is only possible if the baby is in his mother’s arms. Generally saying, babies do have a hard time falling asleep without any assistance. They wake up from their sleep with a cry, and they can get back to deep sleep with a gentle pat to their back or forehead!
#2 Hunger Issues
It’s often a nightmare for any mom to figure out whether her baby is full or not! For the most part, babies would spill out milk from their mouths, pretending to be “I’m done.” Cute babies and their never-ending shenanigans are all about tricking their parents for some fun.
Hunger takes a toll at midnight when they wake up with a loud cry. Not to mention, it’s not all baby’s fault. Sometimes parents, too, fail to feed their babies adequately.
It mostly happens when their babies’ growth is at its full peak. That makes the job only harder for the moms as they fail to decipher how much to feed!
#3 Wet or Soiled Diapers
Who knew? A soft piece of cotton fabric could make babies cry.
A soiled or wet diaper is extremely discomforting to a baby’s skin. So, how do we fix this? Sadly, there’s no clear-cut answer to this problem! As a parent, all you can do is a series of trial n’ errors to determine when it is a suitable time to replace your baby’s diaper so that it does wake up with a cry at late nights.
The truth is, however, no two babies are the same. Each one is unique and reacts differently to a wet diaper. If you’re struggling to make things right and nothing is working for your baby, consider seeking a pediatrician’s advice.
#4 Sense of Discomfort
Babies do wake up crying hysterically for a bunch of good reasons. A sense of certain discomfort can wake up a baby. Say the room’s temperature is too hot or cold that isn’t too soothing for them – babies are bound to wake up with a cry. Sometimes, the baby is lying down too long in the same posture. The sense of stiffness is enough to break sleep because of the pain.
Lastly, your baby isn’t too tired to fall asleep. Maybe your baby took a long nap during the day and is not feeling sleepy at night. Make sure you engage in enough playful activities with the newborn so that your baby can have a good night’s sleep.
#5 Sense of loneliness
We all know that babies are not only adorable but clingy too. They are dependent on their parents or caregivers for the most part. The fear of being all alone scares them. So much so, if they wake up only to find that their parents are missing, they’re bound to bursting into inevitable tears.
We advise you to be always at your baby’s sight during the first few months post-birth.
The Key Takeaways
We probably know by now crying is overwhelmingly normal for any newborn. And by crying only, babies can express their feelings. A baby’s reasons for waking up screaming might range from something as simple as a growth spurt or hunger to a serious medical condition. They need all your attention, love, and some occasional cuddles. And if you’ve made it this far, kudos to you. That’s all!