Herbie Murray
It is common for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns are new to the world and can only communicate through crying. They may cry in their sleep because they are hungry, or because they are experiencing gas or reflux. Newborns also spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when they dream and move their eyes behind their eyelids. They may also twitch, jerk, or have irregular breathing patterns. If a newborn is crying in their sleep, it is recommended to wait for a real crying fit before intervening.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is it for newborns to cry in their sleep? | Crying in sleep is common for newborns and young babies. |
| Why do newborns cry in their sleep? | Newborns cry in their sleep because it is their main form of communication, especially when they are hungry. They might also cry in their sleep due to nightmares or night terrors, teething, illness, or pain. |
| How to soothe newborns crying in their sleep? | If the crying continues, try talking softly to the newborn or rubbing their back or stomach. Breastfed newborns who nurse in their sleep may find comfort from nursing. Swaddling can also help calm newborns and promote good sleep. |
| What are the sleep patterns of newborns? | Newborns sleep in shorter bursts and spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than adults. Their sleep patterns alternate between non-rapid eye movement and REM sleep, which is the light, active phase marked by dreams, moving in the crib, and tears. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns cry in their sleep because they are hungry
It is common for newborns to make noises during sleep, including crying. Newborns and young babies may grunt, cry, or scream in their sleep. A newborn's body has not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle, so it is common for them to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. For very young babies, crying is their main form of communication. As they develop more ways to express themselves, crying while asleep may be a sign that they are having a nightmare or night terror.
If your newborn is crying in their sleep due to hunger, you can try offering them a feed. Breastfed babies may find comfort in nursing, but caregivers should decide whether the baby is likely to awaken from nursing and assess if they are willing to risk waking them. If the baby is formula-fed or you prefer not to nurse them while asleep, you can try offering a bottle feed.
It is also important to expose your newborn to natural daylight and establish a routine to help regulate their sleep patterns. However, sleep is unpredictable in the first month, and it is common for newborns to confuse night and day. Establishing a bedtime routine for newborns can be helpful, and it should be brief, lasting approximately 10 minutes. The routine can include activities such as changing their diaper, applying lotion or a soothing massage, swaddling or putting on pajamas, and rocking them until they are drowsy.
Observing your newborn's sleep pattern can help you identify if they are crying due to hunger or other reasons. Some babies might cry in their sleep when they are sick, teething, or experiencing pain. If you notice any concerning symptoms or signs of illness, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider.
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Babies can have nightmares and night terrors
It is common for newborns and young babies to make noises during sleep, including crying. This is because their bodies have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle, so it is normal for them to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. Crying is also their main form of communication, so it makes sense that they may also cry in their sleep.
As babies develop more ways to express themselves, crying while asleep may be a sign that they are having a nightmare or night terror. Nightmares are dreams that wake you up and are a normal part of a child's development. They are often caused by something that happened during the day, or from a book they read or a show they watched. It is common for children to have their first nightmare between the ages of 1.5 and 2 years old, though some babies may have nightmares as early as 6 months old. However, it is hard to know for sure if newborns and young babies are having nightmares, as they cannot communicate this.
Night terrors are similar to nightmares but are far more dramatic. A child having a night terror wakes up screaming and is impossible to comfort. They don't seem aware that someone is there trying to help them, and their heart rate and breathing intensify, they fidget and sweat. However, night terrors are not harmful, and kids almost always grow out of them. If your child is experiencing night terrors, it is important not to wake them up, as this can only aggravate their symptoms. Instead, wait for the crisis to pass and gently cover them when they have calmed down.
If your baby seems to be having nightmares or night terrors often, speak to your pediatrician. They may have advice or guidance tailored to your situation.
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Brain development can cause sleep regression and crying
Sleep regressions are a normal part of a newborn's development. They are characterised by a decline in sleep quality and a deviation from previous sleep patterns. During sleep regression, newborns may wake up more frequently at night, skip naps, shorten naps, or cry more after waking up.
Sleep regression is often associated with the rapid physical and neurological development that infants undergo in their first years of life. As a newborn's brain grows, they learn and process a lot about their new world, which can interfere with their sleep. This phenomenon is a perfectly normal part of a child's development and indicates that they are progressing as expected.
The process of forming and linking different areas of the brain and nervous system can create instability in sleep. During light sleep, the brain works hard to process new memories, file away information, and match it with other similar experiences. With so many new experiences to absorb, newborns can sometimes become overwhelmed, leading to fussiness and crying.
Additionally, as newborns develop more ways to express themselves, crying while asleep may indicate that they are having a nightmare or night terror. While crying in sleep can be alarming for parents, it is often entirely normal. Newborns may cry in their sleep simply because they are exhausted or due to factors such as temperature, hunger, or a wet nappy.
Sleep regressions typically last for a week or two, but they can turn into long-term struggles if healthy sleep habits are not maintained. Establishing healthy sleep habits and a consistent bedtime routine can help newborns navigate sleep regressions more effectively.
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The Moro Reflex causes involuntary movements and crying
It is common for newborns to make noises during sleep, including crying. This is because their bodies have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle, so it is normal for them to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. Crying is their main form of communication, so it is not surprising that babies cry often and might also cry in their sleep. As long as a baby does not have additional concerning symptoms, this is developmentally normal, and not a sign that something is wrong. As babies develop more ways to express themselves, crying while asleep may be a sign that they are having a nightmare or night terror.
The Moro reflex is one of many reflexes that are seen at birth. It is a normal, involuntary response to stimulation, such as a sudden noise, movement, or bright light, and is often called a startle reflex. The Moro reflex is typically triggered when a baby feels like they are falling, such as when their head shifts suddenly or when they are startled by a loud noise. In response, the baby will throw back their head, extend their arms and legs, cry, and then pull their arms and legs back in. This reflex is usually present by 30 weeks after conception and disappears around 2 to 6 months of age when babies gain better control over their movements.
The Moro reflex is an important indicator of a baby's health. Absence of the reflex in newborn infants is abnormal and may indicate an injury or disease. For example, absence on both sides suggests damage to the brain or spinal cord, while absence on only one side may indicate a broken shoulder bone or an injury to the brachial plexus nerves. Healthcare providers will check for this reflex right after birth and during well-child visits to ensure the baby's brain and nervous system are developing properly.
If the Moro reflex is causing a baby to wake up crying, there are some strategies that caregivers can try to help the baby sleep better. For example, lowering the baby into their crib horizontally and keeping them close to your body as you lower them can help reduce the sensation of falling that triggers the reflex. Swaddling the baby can also help by securing their arms so that they won't startle and fling their arms away from their body. Observing the baby's sleep patterns can also help caregivers understand why the baby is crying and how best to soothe them.
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Gas and reflux can cause discomfort and crying
It is common for newborns to make noises during sleep, including crying. This is because their bodies have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle, so it is normal for them to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. Crying is their main form of communication, so it makes sense that they might also cry in their sleep.
There are different types of reflux. With 'silent reflux', the baby does not spit up, but they may cry, cough or sound hoarse. 'Spitting up' means that small amounts of milk easily flow out of the baby's mouth, and they might also burp. This does not bother most babies, who are known as "happy spitters". Vomiting, on the other hand, involves muscle contractions that force the stomach contents out, and this usually causes discomfort and crying. If a baby is mostly vomiting rather than spitting up, this could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or another condition. Additional symptoms of GERD include refusing to eat, poor weight gain, and chronic coughing.
If you are concerned about your baby's crying, you can try talking softly to them or rubbing their back or stomach. You could also try nursing them, but this may wake them up. It can be helpful to observe your baby's sleep pattern to identify when they typically cry in their sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, newborns can cry in their sleep. Crying is their main form of communication and they may be hungry, gassy, or experiencing reflux. They may also be in pain, too hot or too cold, or need a nappy change. Newborns are also new to the world and can be overwhelmed by all the new experiences they have during the day.
If your newborn is crying in their sleep, do a quick check of their sleep environment and see if this helps settle them. If the crying continues, try talking softly to them or rubbing their back or stomach. Breastfed babies who nurse in their sleep may find comfort from nursing, but be aware that this may wake them up. You could also try swaddling your baby, but only until they show signs of rolling over.
If your newborn is crying but their eyes are still closed, they are likely still asleep. If they are asleep, they may settle themselves without your intervention, so it can be helpful to wait a few minutes before going to them. If they are awake, they may be hungry, in pain, or need a nappy change.
