Gina Johnson
It is normal for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns have two distinct sleep stages, REM and NREM, which they cycle between every 45 minutes or so. During REM sleep, newborns can cry or whimper, and their eyes and mouths may move, and their limbs may twitch. Crying is a baby's primary form of communication, and they may be trying to communicate their hunger, discomfort, temperature preference, or that their nappy is dirty. If a baby is ill, their crying may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a high temperature, vomiting, or difficulty breathing, in which case medical help should be sought.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it normal? | Yes, it is common and developmentally normal for newborns to cry in their sleep. |
| Reasons | Hunger, stomach upset, nightmares, teething, illness, pain, discomfort, temperature, dirty nappy, etc. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns have two distinct sleep stages: REM and NREM. They alternate between these two stages every 45 minutes or so. |
| Sleep cycles | Newborns typically need 16-17 hours of sleep daily but in one to two-hour stretches. |
| Soothing techniques | Massage, warm bath, rub their back or stomach, talk softly, breastfeed, swaddle, etc. |
| When to seek help | If the crying is persistent and accompanied by fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, or feeding difficulties. |
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What You'll Learn
Crying in sleep is a normal part of infancy
Sleep is unpredictable in the first month, often punctuated by brief waking periods followed by naps and longer stretches of sleep. Some babies seem to have confused night and day. Sleep crying is common, and babies typically wake every 2–3 hours, and sometimes even more often, to eat. Exposing a baby to natural daylight and establishing a routine may help regulate their sleep patterns. For most babies of this age, however, a regular sleep schedule or long periods of sleep at night are unlikely.
Babies also cry in their sleep due to stomach upset. They are born without fully developed digestive systems, and it takes some time for them to get used to milk or formula. If your baby is crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry, it can be a sign they're ill. Crying in sleep can also be due to nightmares or night terrors, though these are most common between the ages of 3 and 6 years, and most children won't start until around age 2.
If you're concerned about your baby's crying, it's always best to consult your paediatrician or health visitor, who can provide advice and reassurance.
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Babies cry in their sleep to communicate their needs
It is normal for babies to make noises while sleeping, including crying, grunting, screaming, whimpering, coughing, and snorting. Babies' bodies have 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.
- Stomach upset: Babies are born without fully developed digestive systems, and it takes time for them to get used to milk or formula.
- Gas: Gently burp your baby after each meal, including night feedings.
- Sleep regression: This is a normal setback in a baby's regular nighttime routine, which can occur around 4, 6, 8-10, and 12 months.
- Moro reflex: The involuntary movement of a newborn's limbs, which can cause them to twitch or jerk in their sleep and lead to crying.
- Illness: If your baby is crying constantly and cannot be consoled or distracted, or if the cry is unusual, it may be a sign of illness. Other symptoms to watch for include a high temperature, violent vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
If you are concerned about your baby's crying, it is important to talk to a doctor, especially if there is a sudden change in sleep patterns or if the crying interferes with the baby's or caregiver's ability to function. Keeping a record of when and how often your baby cries can help identify patterns and determine the best course of action.
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Sleep regression and teething can cause crying in sleep
To help your baby navigate sleep regression, you can try to be patient, consistent, and prepared. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and sleep training style can make it easier for your baby to adjust. This includes keeping the room dimly lit, following the same routine, and putting your baby to sleep around the same time each day. Responding to your baby's cues is also important. For example, if your baby looks sleepy before bedtime, it is better to put them to bed earlier as babies who feel tired will fall asleep faster, and waiting too long can cause them to become overtired.
Teething can also cause crying in sleep. Infants usually start teething from the age of three months, although the timing can vary. The pain and discomfort associated with emerging teeth can lead to incessant crying and sleepless nights. To soothe your baby and ease their discomfort, you can try chilled teething toys, a cold washcloth, or singing to them. Maintaining consistent wiping and cleaning is also important to prevent a teething rash from developing on their face. While pain medication should typically be a last resort, your pediatrician might recommend some over-the-counter medicine to help alleviate your baby's pain.
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Babies have different sleep cycles to adults, which can explain crying in sleep
It is normal for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns and young babies may grunt, cry, or scream in their sleep. This is because their bodies have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle. They 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. Toddlers and older babies who cry while asleep may be having night terrors.
Babies have different sleep cycles than adults, which can explain why they cry in their sleep. Newborns sleep up to 18 hours every 24 hours, with many sleeping 14 to 20 hours a day in two to three-hour bursts. They experience up to nine hours of REM sleep each day, which is about 50% of their sleep. In contrast, adults experience REM for only about 20% of their sleep. Babies' sleep cycles are usually about 40 minutes, while adults' sleep cycles are about 90 minutes. This means that babies tend to wake up more often than adults.
In the first few months of life, babies' sleep is split evenly between REM and NREM sleep stages. As a baby grows, they spend less time in REM sleep and start to experience the three stages of NREM sleep. By around six months of age, babies will sleep around 13 hours a day in larger blocks of time. Their sleep cycles slowly begin to resemble those of adults.
It is important to note that each baby is unique, and there is no single normal sleep pattern. Sleep patterns can change rapidly over the first three years of life, with variations between individual children. Exposing a baby to natural daylight and establishing a routine may help regulate their sleep patterns. However, for most newborns, a regular sleep schedule or long periods of sleep at night are unlikely.
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If crying persists, try soothing techniques or seek medical advice
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 the main form of communication for very young babies.
If crying persists, there are several soothing techniques you can try. You can recreate the sensations of the womb by using soft touch, jiggly motion, and snug holding. This can trigger a calming reflex that nature has provided to babies to switch off fussing and switch on sleep. Swaddling is a cornerstone of this technique, as it recreates the gentle hug and security of the womb, which increases sleep and decreases the startle reflex. You can also try talking softly to the baby or rubbing their back or stomach. Breastfed babies who nurse in their sleep may find comfort from nursing, but caregivers should decide whether or not the baby is likely to awaken from nursing and assess whether they are willing to risk waking the baby.
If you are breastfeeding, letting your baby suckle at your breast can help soothe them. Having some gentle noise in the background may also help distract your baby. Some older babies like to use a bit of cloth or a blanket as a comforter. Holding your baby or putting them in a sling so they're close to you can also be comforting. Moving about gently, swaying, dancing, talking, and singing can all help. Rocking your baby backward and forward in a pram or going out for a walk or a drive can also be soothing, but limit how long your baby sleeps in a car seat to up to 30 minutes for newborns and up to 2 hours for older babies.
You can also try undressing your baby and giving them a gentle and firm massage. Talk soothingly as you do it and keep the room warm. A warm bath can also calm some babies, although it may make others cry more. Lying them down after a feed may also help. If you are breastfeeding, improving your baby's positioning and attachment may help them settle.
If these soothing techniques do not help, you may want to seek medical advice. You can speak to your health visitor or GP, or call NHS 111. It can be helpful to keep a record of how often and when your baby cries to help health professionals work out if there is a particular cause for the crying. If your baby is crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry, it can be a sign that they are ill. Other symptoms to look out for include a high temperature, rapid breathing, throat noises, violent sickness, or a high temperature with cold hands and feet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is common for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns and young babies may grunt, cry, or scream in their sleep. Crying is the primary way for babies to communicate their needs, and hunger is probably the most common one, especially in newborns who nurse or take a bottle every few hours.
If your baby is crying in their sleep, you can try talking softly to them or rubbing their back or stomach. Breastfed babies may find comfort from nursing. You can also try undressing your baby and giving them a gentle massage.
Newborns may cry in their sleep due to hunger, discomfort, temperature (too hot or cold), a dirty nappy, or teething pain. It could also be due to nightmares or night terrors, although these are more common in older children.
If the crying is persistent and does not lessen with parental interventions, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, or difficulty breathing, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.
