Is it normal for a baby to have a change in sleep pattern?

Question

Hi doctor,

My daughter is 15 months old, and it has been three weeks that she did not sleep at night. 1 to 2 hours at most and then she will cry waiting for me to bring her to the living room because she wants to play. She would not stop crying if I ignore her (I am trying to let her try to soothe herself), even if I try rocking her or put the pacifier. She will only stop crying once I brought her to the living room. I am working, so I sent her to a babysitter during the daytime. I thought she will sleep more during the daytime, but apparently, her sleep routine is just the same as before. Her babysitter said that she slept for 1 to 2 hours in the morning and the afternoon.

She is healthy, so active, happy as usual and looks completely fine to me even though she does not sleep enough. Is this normal? Will this new habits affect my daughter's health or growth? What cause her sleep routine to suddenly change? (Previously she will sleep throughout the night, with 2 to 3 times milk feeding in between). What can I do to put her back to her previous sleeping habit? I really need advice.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Sleep habits of babies vary from one another. Your child is normal and there is no cause of concern. Most of the babies do this but become difficult to handle cause of working parents. She requires more patience. I really appreciate your concern. This will not affect her growth. Sleeping habits change because they become more active and locomotion takes priority over feeding. They like moving around. There is nothing anybody can do except handle with patience as you have been doing.