Medical Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep, a very common Medical Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep is that she might want to be closer to you. You should try different sleeping arrangements to find the one that works for you and baby. A baby will usually be happiest being next to you in your bed or in a bassinet next to your bed.

You may find that she was happy to sleep in another room, but experimentation may be necessary. What a baby needs in the night will change as they develop. One sleeping arrangement that worked before, may not work anymore. If you do not want your baby to sleep in the room with you, try to gradually move her further away from you for longer periods of time while she is asleep.

Gastroesophageal Reflux

GER is by far the most common medical reason why a baby will not sleep. A baby that has GER, has her stomach acids go up into the esophagus, which is similar to heartburn in an adult.

Some symptoms of GER:

waking up with painful cries
restlessness
frequent spitting up in the day
colicky bouts in the day and night
colicky pain after feeding

Luckily, GER can be treated with medication that your pediatrician can prescribe for you to give to the baby.

Formula Allergies

If you find that your baby is very fussy after being fed, she could possibly be allergic to the formula, or the diet of the mother. Other signs are a red rash around her mouth or anus. If you think that this could be the problem, try changing the brand of formula, or consult with your doctor in order to change your diet, so that you produce milk she will drink.

Airborne Allergies

When a baby has an allergy, it is usually something in her sleeping environment that is causing her nose to become stuffy and a buildup of fluid behind her ears, which makes it difficult for her to sleep. Try to make her sleeping environment as dust-free as possible. Take out or wash the stuffed animals on a regular basis because they are known to collect dust.

Crying is Communication

Relatives and friends may tell you to let your baby cry herself to sleep but, this is not advisable because when your baby cries, she is trying to tell you something is wrong. You need to investigate what the problem could be instead of leaving her to cry.

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