Ashwin Lewis
It is relatively common for newborns to laugh in their sleep, and in most cases, it is harmless and nothing to worry about. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be a reflex rather than a response to a dream. This is because babies under six months old likely don't dream, and laughter during sleep usually occurs during the REM sleep cycle, which is when most dreaming happens. Laughing in sleep may also be attributed to the baby's developing nervous system, as involuntary movements during sleep may contribute to laughter. Some cultures and experts believe that a sleeping baby's laughter could be connected to spiritual meanings or unseen connections, such as angels communicating or encounters with departed loved ones. However, these interpretations are based on spiritual beliefs rather than scientific evidence. In rare cases, laughter during sleep in babies could be a sign of gelastic seizures or epilepsy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | Relatively common |
| Cause for concern | Generally not |
| Possible causes | Reflex, dream-like activity, spiritual meanings, neurological issue |
| Age | A few hours old to a few months old |
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What You'll Learn
It's usually harmless and not a cause for concern
It's normal to worry about your newborn. However, in most cases, you shouldn't be concerned if you notice your baby laughing in their sleep. It's a common occurrence, and it's usually harmless.
Babies spend about 50% of their time in REM sleep, a phase linked with dreaming in adults. However, it is unclear whether babies dream or not. Since their brains are still developing, their dreams might be more sensory-based than narrative-based, like adults' dreams. So, when babies laugh in their sleep, it's often a reflex rather than a response to a dream. For example, babies may twitch, smile, suck, or frown during active sleep. These involuntary movements might contribute to smiles and laughter.
There are also some spiritual beliefs about babies laughing in their sleep. Some believe that it could be a sign of divine interaction or spiritual intimacy. For instance, angels communicating with babies, visions of heaven, or encounters with departed loved ones. While these interpretations are not based on scientific evidence, they can provide comfort and enrich the narrative of parents' experiences.
In rare cases, laughing in sleep could be a sign of gelastic seizures, a rare type of seizure that causes uncontrollable laughing fits. If you're ever concerned about your baby's health or well-being, it's always best to contact their healthcare provider.
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It may be a reflex or an involuntary movement
It is believed that newborn babies laugh in their sleep as a reflex or an involuntary movement. This is because, during sleep, babies' bodies can make involuntary movements, which can contribute to smiles and laughter. These movements are more common during the REM sleep phase, which is when most dreaming occurs. However, it is impossible to know for sure whether babies dream, as their brains are still developing. Therefore, it is more likely that their laughter is a reflex rather than a response to a dream.
Babies under six months old likely do not dream, so their laughter during sleep is probably a reflex. This is supported by the fact that babies have been observed to smile reflexively in response to stimuli before they are born. After birth, reflexive smiles typically occur during the REM sleep phase. As babies grow, they start to smile in response to sensory experiences they find pleasurable, such as cuddles, familiar voices and faces, and comfortable sleep environments.
While newborn laughter during sleep is usually harmless, there are rare instances where it can be a sign of a neurological issue. For example, in some cases, laughter during sleep can be a symptom of gelastic epilepsy, a rare form of epilepsy that can cause uncontrollable laughing fits. If you are concerned about your baby's health or well-being, it is important to contact their healthcare provider.
Creating a nurturing sleep environment can promote more restful sleep for your baby and possibly lead to more delightful laughs. Using blackout curtains to create a dark and calm atmosphere can help maintain a consistent sleep schedule and enhance your baby's sleep quality. Establishing a bedtime routine can also signal to your baby that it is time to wind down and go to sleep.
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It could be a response to dreams or sensory-based experiences
While it is unclear what causes babies to laugh in their sleep, it is generally agreed that it is harmless and typical. Laughing during sleep, or hypnogely, is a relatively common occurrence in babies and young children. It is believed that babies experience the equivalent of REM sleep, which is when most dreaming occurs, but it is unknown whether they dream. Therefore, laughter during sleep is likely a reflex rather than a response to a dream. This is supported by the fact that babies make other involuntary movements during sleep, such as twitching, sucking, or frowning.
However, some believe that newborn laughter during sleep could be a response to dreams or sensory-based experiences. Pediatricians suggest that laughing during sleep could be a baby's reaction to dreams. While babies' brains are still developing, their dreams may be more sensory-based than narrative like adults' dreams. This is supported by the fact that newborns smile and laugh in response to sensory experiences such as stroking, sweet tastes and smells, cuddles, familiar voices and faces, and comfort. Their developing brains record daily experiences, which are possibly processed while they are asleep, and the positive emotions from these experiences may manifest as smiles or laughter during sleep.
Additionally, across different cultures, the act of a baby laughing in sleep has been considered a sign of divine interaction or spiritual intimacy. Some interpretations include angels communicating joyful, heavenly secrets, babies having visions of heaven or remembering it, or encounters with departed loved ones or ancestors in their dreams. While these interpretations are based on spiritual beliefs rather than scientific evidence, they enrich the narrative of parental experiences and deepen the bonds between parents and their children.
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It might be a spiritual occurrence or divine interaction
Laughing in sleep, also called hypnogely, is a relatively common occurrence in newborns and young children. While it is generally harmless, there are instances where it can indicate something serious, such as a neurological issue or sleep disorder.
Spiritual and Divine Interpretations
From a spiritual perspective, some people interpret a baby's laughter in sleep as a manifestation of pure soul-level joy, untainted by the complexities and hardships of the physical world. This interpretation offers comfort and enriches the narrative of a parent's experiences, deepening the bonds they feel with their children. Across different cultures, a baby laughing in their sleep has been considered a sign of divine interaction or spiritual intimacy.
Creating an ideal sleeping environment can promote more restful sleep and, perhaps, more delightful laughs from your baby. Using blackout curtains to create a dark and calm atmosphere is one way to enhance your baby's sleep environment. Maintaining a cool room temperature between 68-72°F (20-22°C) is also ideal for a baby's sleep, providing comfort and preventing overheating. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can signal to your baby that it's time to wind down and sleep. This might include a bath, a bedtime story, or some quiet time in the nursery.
While these spiritual interpretations provide a delightful mystery for new parents to ponder, it's important to note that they are based on beliefs rather than scientific evidence. As one parent on Reddit shared, "it's possible for them to laugh, moan, or grunt, even cry and open their eyes while sleeping." Ensuring your baby sleeps well is crucial for their development and well-being. If you notice any abnormal behaviour or sleep disturbances, it's always best to consult a paediatrician or a sleep specialist for further evaluation.
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In rare cases, it could be a gelastic seizure
In rare cases, a newborn laughing in their sleep could be a gelastic seizure. Gelastic seizures are a type of seizure characterised by uncontrolled laughter or giggling, often described as hollow or mechanical, and not linked to any happiness or joy. The word 'gelastic' comes from the Greek word 'gelos', which means laughter. These seizures are caused by noncancerous masses in the brain, specifically in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which controls many basic life functions using our senses. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain.
Gelastic seizures are a rare type of focal seizure, which means they begin in one part of the brain, as opposed to generalised seizures that develop in the whole brain. During a gelastic seizure, a person may look like they are smiling or smirking, and they usually remain conscious. While the laughter may seem happy, most people do not feel happy during gelastic seizures. Instead, they may feel scared, anxious, or a loss of control. The laughter often occurs in social situations where laughter may not be appropriate, and it can be difficult to recognise gelastic seizures in babies and young children, as bursts of laughter may not seem unusual. Babies may grunt or squirm in an unusual way, and their laughter often stops suddenly.
Gelastic seizures are often short, lasting 10 to 20 seconds or less, although they can occur dozens of times per day. They often happen as a child is falling asleep or when they are asleep, but they can occur at any time. Infants and children will be awakened from sleep by a gelastic seizure and then settle down and go right back to sleep. These seizures can sometimes be mistaken for normal laughter or confused with other problems, including behavioural or emotional disorders, which may cause a delay in diagnosis.
If you suspect your child is having gelastic seizures, it is important to see a specialist doctor called a paediatrician, who can suggest tests to confirm a diagnosis. An EEG (electroencephalogram) can record the electrical activity in the brain, and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scan can be used to diagnose gelastic seizures with hypothalamic hamartoma. While epilepsy medications may be offered to try to stop the seizures, surgery is the most likely treatment that will control them. The surgery removes the hamartoma, and if successful, it may completely control the seizures and stop any learning and behaviour problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is completely normal and harmless for newborns to laugh in their sleep. It is a common occurrence, and in most cases, there is nothing to worry about.
While it is not entirely clear what causes newborns to laugh in their sleep, it is believed to be a reflex action. It is also thought that newborns might laugh in their sleep as a response to dreams. However, since it is unclear whether newborns dream, it is more likely that these laughs are a result of their developing nervous system.
Across different cultures, a laughing newborn is considered a sign of divine interaction or spiritual intimacy. Some believe that angels communicate with newborns, prompting laughter. Others think that newborns have visions of heaven or remember it, as they are recently arrived from the spiritual realm.
Newborns can start laughing in their sleep as early as a few days or weeks old.
In rare cases, laughing in sleep could be a sign of gelastic seizures or gelastic epilepsy, a rare type of seizure or epilepsy that causes uncontrollable laughing fits. If you notice any abnormal behaviour or are concerned about your baby's health, contact a healthcare provider.
