Pediatrics: Lillian Beard, M.D.
My 10-month-old son has started waking up a once or twice a night. What could be causing this?
By Lillian Beard, M.D.
Your son's night awakenings may be due to some discomfort or a habit called night awakening. First, check to see that your baby is not in some distress, such as in an awkward position, miserable in a soiled diaper or hungry. If all looks okay, he may just have awakened from a bad dream or a noise, and need to be reassured that you're nearby before going back to sleep. Try talking to him in your soft voice, stroking his hand or forehead, lulling him back to sleep in his crib.
At this age, he could also be teething which causes lots of pain for some infants, and anguish for many households. Try rubbing his gums with your finger or apply an over-the-counter teething gel, which provides temporary relief. Some experts warn that giving in to the easy temptation of taking him into your bed will only ensure that you are welcoming a new bedmate for the next year or more. If these soothing attempts are not successful and you are still worried, check with his pediatrician who may want to check him.
Lillian Beard, M.D.
Pediatrics
Lillian M. Beard, M.D, a Fellow of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, is an associate clinical
professor at the George Washington University School
of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.
She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national
television programs, discussing issues related to children's health.
Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in Washington, D.C.
