Evie Summers
It can be distressing for parents to hear their newborn cry in their sleep, but it is a common occurrence that is usually nothing to worry about. Crying is a newborn's primary form of communication, and they may cry in their sleep due to hunger, the need to suck, or an upset stomach as their digestive system is still developing. Newborns also have irregular sleep patterns, frequently transitioning between non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which can cause them to briefly wake and cry. While it is uncommon for newborns to have nightmares, older babies with more developed imaginations may experience bad dreams and night terrors. If crying persists, parents can try soothing techniques such as soft speaking, back rubbing, or swaddling to help their baby transition to a different sleep stage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal | Yes |
| Reasons | Hunger, stomach upset, sleep regression, nightmares, teething, sickness, pain, irritation, brain development, temperature, sleep cycle, natural sleep transition |
| Response | Wait and observe, comfort, soothe, feed, adjust temperature, swaddle, talk to a pediatrician |
| Advice | Expose baby to natural daylight, establish a routine, observe sleep patterns, contact GP or health visitor if worried |
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What You'll Learn
Crying in sleep is normal for newborns
It can be distressing for parents to hear their newborn baby cry in their sleep. However, it is entirely normal for newborns to cry in their sleep and is not usually a cause for concern.
Newborns sleep in different patterns to children and adults, sleeping for longer overall but in shorter bursts. They also spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a lighter sleep stage. During this time, newborns may twitch, smile, grunt, or briefly cry out. They may appear unsettled, but these movements are a natural part of their sleep cycle. Crying is often their main form of communication, and newborns may cry to communicate that they are hungry, as they need to feed every few hours.
Newborns may also be distressed due to stomach upset, as their digestive systems are not yet fully developed. Crying in sleep can also be caused by sleep regression, which is a normal setback in a baby's nighttime routine. Sleep can be unpredictable in the first month, with brief waking periods followed by naps and longer stretches of sleep. Exposing newborns to natural daylight and establishing a routine may help regulate their sleep patterns.
If your newborn is crying in their sleep, it is recommended to leave them for a moment to see if they can settle back into a more restful sleep on their own. Gentle reassurance, such as a belly rub and a calming voice, can also help soothe your baby.
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Babies may cry in their sleep due to hunger
It is common for babies to make noises during sleep, including crying. Newborns and young babies may grunt, cry, or scream in their sleep. Crying is the main form of communication for very young babies, and hunger is the most common reason for crying, especially in newborns who nurse or take a bottle every few hours. Breastfed newborns wake to feed about every 2 to 3 hours, and formula-fed babies do so roughly every 3 to 4 hours.
Babies have tiny tummies, and they grow rapidly, so they get hungry a lot, including throughout the night. Crying is the only way they can communicate their need for food. If your baby has recently been fed, they might be crying for another reason, such as an upset stomach. Babies are born without fully developed digestive systems, and it takes time for them to get used to milk or formula.
Babies also make all kinds of noises, even crying, while they are still completely asleep. This is because their sleep patterns are different from those of children and adults. They spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a lighter sleep stage. During this time, they may twitch, grunt, smile, or cry out briefly. It is a normal part of their sleep cycle.
If your baby is crying in their sleep, it is important to observe their sleep pattern. Some babies let out a soft cry as they fall deeply into sleep or immediately before waking. Identifying their typical sleep pattern can help you assess the cause of the crying. If the crying continues, try talking softly to the baby or rubbing their back or stomach. This can help shift them into a different stage of sleep and stop them from crying.
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Babies may be crying due to stomach upset
It is entirely normal for babies to cry in their sleep, and it can be upsetting for parents to witness. Babies sleep in shorter bursts than adults, and their sleep patterns are different. They spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is also known as light sleep. During this time, they may twitch, smile, grunt, or cry out briefly. This is a normal part of their sleep cycle, and they may simply be transitioning between sleep cycles.
Babies may also be crying due to stomach upset. There are several reasons why babies experience tummy pain. One common reason is gas, which can be caused by various factors, including a baby swallowing too much air while nursing due to an oversupply of milk or the act of breastfeeding itself. This can lead to excess gas, resulting in tummy pain and sleepless nights. Additionally, the ingredients in baby formula may not agree with their GI tract, and some babies experience stomach upset when transitioning from breast milk to formula.
In some cases, stomach pain in babies can be a sign of something more serious, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause poor feeding, choking, and stomach pain due to excess acid in the stomach rising into the esophagus. It is important to consult a doctor or dietitian if you suspect that something in the breastfeeding parent's diet is irritating the baby's stomach or if the baby's stomach pain persists.
If your baby is crying in their sleep due to stomach upset, there are a few things you can try to comfort them:
- If you are breastfeeding, let your baby suckle at your breast.
- Play some gentle background noise to help distract your baby.
- Use a sling to hold your baby close to you and move about gently, swaying, and dancing.
- Rock your baby backward and forward in their pram or go out for a walk or drive.
- Limit how long your baby sleeps in a car seat, up to 30 minutes for newborns, and up to 2 hours for older babies.
- Find something for your baby to listen to or look at, such as music, a mobile above the cot, or a rattle.
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Crying in sleep may be due to sleep regression
It is entirely normal for babies to cry in their sleep, and this is often due to the natural sleep cycle of newborns. Newborns sleep for longer overall but in shorter bursts and spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than adults. REM sleep is when your baby is dreaming, also known as light sleep. During this stage, they may twitch, smile, grunt, or cry out briefly.
However, there could be instances where crying in sleep is due to sleep regression. Sleep regression is when a baby who previously slept well starts experiencing sleep problems. This can manifest as crying every time you head to the nursery, standing and crying in their crib, or waking up multiple times during the night. Sleep regression can be due to growth spurts, teething, or reaching new milestones. For example, the 4-month sleep regression is often challenging for parents because it is the first, and the pain caused by teething, hunger from growth spurts, and the excitement of rolling over for the first time can all contribute to sleep problems.
If you notice sudden changes in your baby's sleep patterns, it is important to rule out any physical concerns, such as sickness or teething. Sleep regression is usually temporary, and you can manage it by maintaining healthy sleep habits and a consistent bedtime routine. It is also recommended to give your baby a few minutes to self-soothe before responding to their cries.
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Babies may cry in their sleep due to nightmares
It can be distressing for parents to hear their baby cry in their sleep. However, it is entirely normal for babies to cry in their sleep, and there are many reasons why they may do so.
It is important to note that babies who are still learning to connect their sleep cycles may be briefly waking between sleep cycles, checking their environment, and going back to sleep once they feel safe. In these cases, it is best to practice ""le pause"" and allow the baby to self-soothe and fall back asleep on their own. By going in and comforting them, caregivers may be fully waking the baby and disrupting their natural process of self-soothing between sleep cycles.
Babies may also cry in their sleep due to physical discomfort, such as hunger, a wet diaper, or gas. They may also be too hot or too cold. In these cases, caregivers should offer soothing reassurance through gentle touch or soft speech, but avoid fully waking the baby unless necessary for comfort or feeding.
Additionally, babies may cry in their sleep due to changes in their sleep cycles or the desire for comfort and reassurance, especially during periods of separation anxiety. They may also be experiencing sleep regression, which is common around four months of age.
In most cases, occasional crying in their sleep is entirely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if caregivers are concerned about persistent crying in longer bursts, they can always contact their healthcare provider for advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns may cry in their sleep because they are hungry, too hot or cold, or need a nappy change. Crying is a newborn's main form of communication, so it is often how they let you know they need something. However, it is also normal for newborns to make noises during sleep, including crying, as they are restless sleepers and are still mastering the challenges of a regular sleep cycle.
If your newborn is crying in their sleep, it is recommended that you wait a few minutes to see if they settle down on their own before intervening. If the crying continues, you can try talking softly to them or rubbing their back or stomach to help them shift into a different stage of sleep.
No, current research suggests that newborns do not have vivid dreams until they are around two years old. Instead, their sleep behaviours are often linked to active sleep (REM stage), during which they may twitch, grunt, smile, or cry out briefly.
Exposing your newborn to natural daylight and establishing a routine may help regulate their sleep patterns. You can also try swaddling your newborn, which can calm them down and promote good sleep. It is important to make sure they are not too hot or cold and to dress them in only one more layer than what you are comfortable in.
Occasional crying in their sleep is entirely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you are worried about persistent crying in longer bursts, you can contact your GP or health visitor.
