Miya Pearson
It is not uncommon for newborns to laugh in their sleep, and it is generally harmless. However, in rare cases, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. For instance, laughter during sleep can be a symptom of REM sleep behaviour disorder, where people act out their dreams physically. In some cases, it could also be a sign of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development. While it is difficult to measure how common sleep laughing is, one study found that 33-44% of a sample of middle school children had laughed in their sleep at least once in the previous 6 months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is it? | Very common |
| Is it normal? | Yes |
| Is it harmless? | Yes, in most cases |
| What could be the reasons? | Dreaming, reflex, neurological or psychological factors, REM sleep behavior disorder, gelastic seizures |
| When to seek help? | If accompanied by violent crying, aggressive behaviour, strong physical activity, nightmares, or severe discomfort during the day |
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What You'll Learn
- Laughing in sleep, or hypnogely, is common and harmless in newborns
- In rare cases, newborn laughter in sleep can be a sign of a neurological issue
- Gelastic seizures can cause episodes of uncontrolled giggling in infants
- Newborns may laugh in their sleep due to dreams or dream-like activity
- Laughing in sleep is usually a sign of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development
Laughing in sleep, or hypnogely, is common and harmless in newborns
Laughing in sleep, or hypnogely, is a relatively common occurrence in newborns and young children. While the exact cause is unknown, it is generally considered harmless and tends to delight parents. In rare instances, however, it can indicate an underlying health issue.
Babies often laugh in their sleep, and it is usually not something to worry about. In fact, many parenting websites celebrate the joy of hearing a baby's laughter while sleeping. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that most babies smile in their sleep before they smile while awake. The laughter may be a reflex, as babies under six months likely don't dream. Newborns spend about 50% of their time in REM sleep, which is associated with dreaming in adults, but the nature of an infant's dreams remains uncertain due to their different cognitive and emotional experiences.
There are various theories about why newborns laugh in their sleep. One theory suggests that it could be related to their developing nervous system and normal brain development. Laughter may be part of the process by which the brain processes emotions and experiences. It could also be a result of involuntary movements that babies experience during sleep. These movements may contribute to the smiles and laughter observed in sleeping infants.
In very rare cases, laughter during sleep in newborns could indicate an underlying health condition. For example, it could be a symptom of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), where people act out their dreams physically due to a lack of muscle relaxation during REM sleep. This disorder is more common in older males and is associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Another rare possibility is gelastic seizures, which cause uncontrollable laughing fits and are associated with a rare form of epilepsy. These seizures typically last 10 to 20 seconds and can start in infancy, usually around 10 months old.
If you notice any unusual behaviour or other concerning symptoms accompanying the laughter, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional. However, in most cases, laughing in sleep for newborns is a delightful and harmless occurrence.
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In rare cases, newborn laughter in sleep can be a sign of a neurological issue
While newborn laughter in sleep is generally harmless and a typical occurrence, in rare cases, it can indicate a neurological issue. Laughing in sleep, or hypnogely, can sometimes be a symptom of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). This disorder is characterised by the absence of muscle atonia during REM sleep, which typically paralyses the limbs, thus causing people to act out their dreams physically. This can include laughing, shouting, talking, and even remembering the dream upon waking up. RBD is more common in older males, typically affecting those over 50 years of age, and it tends to worsen over time. It is also associated with other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy.
In addition to RBD, newborn laughter during sleep can, in rare cases, be a sign of non-REM sleep arousal parasomnias. These parasomnias are characterised by a state between being half-asleep and half-awake, and they include sleepwalking and sleep terrors. Episodes of non-REM sleep arousal parasomnias tend to be shorter, usually lasting less than an hour. While these parasomnias are more common in children, they can occur in adults as well.
In very rare instances, newborn laughter in sleep can be a sign of gelastic seizures. These are short seizures, lasting around 10 to 20 seconds, which can start in infancy at around 10 months old. They can occur as the baby is falling asleep or while they are asleep, and they may be accompanied by a vacant stare, grunting, or unusual bodily movements. If you notice these seizures occurring regularly, it is important to consult a pediatrician for further evaluation and potential diagnostic tests.
While newborn laughter in sleep is usually a harmless occurrence, it is always a good idea to monitor your baby's behaviour and movements during sleep. If you notice any abnormal or unusual patterns, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to address any concerns or rule out potential sleep disorders or neurological issues.
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Gelastic seizures can cause episodes of uncontrolled giggling in infants
While it is common and generally harmless for newborns to laugh in their sleep, in rare cases, it could be a sign of gelastic seizures, which cause episodes of uncontrolled giggling in infants. Gelastic seizures are focal or partial seizures that start in the hypothalamus, a small area at the base of the brain. They are often associated with hypothalamic hamartoma, a rare, non-cancerous brain tumour present in about 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 children. The tumour is congenital, meaning it is present since birth.
Gelastic seizures are named after the Greek word for laughter, "gelos" or "gelastikos". They are characterised by bouts of uncontrolled laughing or giggling that sound forced and unnatural. The laughter is often not accompanied by feelings of happiness or joy and can occur in socially inappropriate situations. The seizures can last from 2 to 30 seconds or less and may occur many times a day. They often occur as the baby is falling asleep or while they are asleep and can cause the infant to wake up.
The abnormal electrical activity associated with gelastic seizures can spread to other areas of the brain, leading to other types of seizures. These seizures can be challenging to recognise in babies and young children, as bursts of laughter may not seem unusual. However, certain signs can accompany the laughter, such as a vacant stare, grunting, unusual bodily movements, or squirming. After the seizure, the infant may seem confused or tired, but they may also feel normal.
Diagnosing gelastic seizures can be difficult, and they may go unnoticed for years. Electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to record electrical activity in the brain and identify unusual patterns associated with seizures. Treatment options include anti-seizure medications and, in cases where the seizures are caused by a tumour, surgery, radiation therapy, or laser ablation.
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Newborns may laugh in their sleep due to dreams or dream-like activity
It is not uncommon for newborns to laugh in their sleep. While the exact reason is not known, it is generally considered harmless and a normal occurrence. In rare cases, however, sleep laughter in newborns can indicate an underlying health issue.
The most common cause of laughter in sleep for adults is having a strange dream or dream-like activity. Similarly, babies likely experience dream-like activity during sleep. Newborns spend about 50% of their time in REM sleep, a phase linked with dreaming in adults. However, the exact nature of infants' dreams remains uncertain, as their cognitive and emotional experiences differ significantly from those of adults.
Babies under six months likely don't dream, so their smiles and giggles are probably more of a reflex than anything else. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies smile in their sleep before they smile while awake, though the reason behind this is unclear.
In some cases, laughter in sleep can be a sign of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development in babies. Laughter is part of a process in which the brain processes emotions and experiences. It is generally considered a good sign when babies laugh in their sleep.
In rare instances, sleep laughter can be a symptom of an underlying health condition. For example, it could be a sign of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), where people act out their dreams physically due to a lack of muscle relaxation during sleep. This can result in injuries to the person or their sleep partner. RBD is more common in older males, with an average onset age of around 60 years. It is also associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
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Laughing in sleep is usually a sign of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development
It is not uncommon for newborns to laugh in their sleep. In fact, laughing in sleep, also called hypnogely, is a relatively common occurrence in babies and young children. While the exact reason is not known, it is generally considered harmless and even indicative of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development.
Babies spend about 50% of their time in the REM phase, which is associated with dreaming in adults. However, the nature of an infant's dreams remains uncertain as their cognitive and emotional experiences differ from those of adults. Some theories suggest that babies likely experience dream-like activity during sleep, which could be the reason for their smiles and laughter.
In very rare cases, laughter during sleep in newborns can be a symptom of an underlying health condition. For instance, it could be a sign of REM sleep behaviour disorder, where people act out their dreams physically, or non-REM sleep arousal parasomnias, which are similar to being half-asleep and half-awake. Additionally, in some rare instances, laughter during sleep could be a sign of gelastic seizures, a type of seizure that causes episodes of uncontrolled giggling. These seizures typically last for 10 to 20 seconds and can start around 10 months of age.
However, unless accompanied by other unusual behaviours, laughing in sleep is generally not a cause for concern. It is simply an expression of the subconscious processing dreams or memories in a humorous way. So, while it can be concerning to hear your newborn laugh in their sleep, it is usually a positive sign of their developing nervous system and brain.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is perfectly normal and common for newborns to laugh in their sleep. It is usually harmless and can be a sign of a healthy nervous system and normal brain development.
There is no clear answer as to why newborns laugh in their sleep. However, some sources suggest that it could be a reflex or a result of dream-like activity.
Newborns spend about 50% of their time in REM sleep, which is linked to dreaming in adults. Therefore, laughing in sleep usually occurs during the REM phase.
In most cases, newborn laughter during sleep is harmless and not a cause for concern. However, if it is accompanied by other unusual behaviours, such as violent crying, aggressive behaviour, or strong physical activity, it may be a sign of a rare sleep disorder or underlying health condition.
