Evie Summers
The cry-it-out (CIO) sleep training method, also known as the extinction method, involves leaving a baby to cry until they settle themselves to sleep. Pediatricians advise waiting until a baby is at least 16 weeks old before starting CIO sleep training. While some sources claim that letting a baby cry it out will not cause physical damage to their brain, others suggest that a healthy attachment style is created when parents respond quickly to their baby's cries. Sleep is unpredictable in the first month, and newborns often wake up crying because they are hungry, uncomfortable, or in pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crying itself to sleep | Normal for newborns and young babies |
| Reasons for crying | Hunger, gas, teething pain, dirty or wet diapers, temperature, overtiredness, sickness, nightmares, night terrors, Moro reflex, separation anxiety, etc. |
| Sleep training methods | Cry-it-out (CIO) or extinction method, pick-up put down, interval approach |
| Pediatrician's advice | Wait until the baby is at least 16 weeks old and weighs 14 pounds before starting sleep training |
| SNOO device | Automatically responds to a baby's cries with white noise and soothing rocking |
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What You'll Learn
- Crying in sleep is normal for newborns
- Reasons for crying include hunger, gas, teething, temperature, and Moro reflex
- Crying is a baby's main form of communication
- Sleep training methods like 'cry-it-out' may help babies sleep independently
- Nightmares and night terrors are rare in babies but may cause crying
Crying in sleep is normal for newborns
It is normal for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns and young babies may grunt, scream, or cry in their sleep, and this is usually nothing to worry about. Young children's 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. Crying is the main form of communication for very young babies, so it makes sense that they cry often and might also cry in their sleep. As long as a baby does not have additional concerning symptoms, such as other signs of illness or pain, this is developmentally normal, and not a sign that something is wrong.
Newborns spend about half their sleeping hours in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is also known as "active sleep". During REM sleep, babies may twitch, jerk, and make small mouth movements, and their closed eyes may flutter. They may also whimper and cry, and because newborns cycle back to active sleep about every 45 to 50 minutes, crying in their sleep can occur throughout. All of this is normal and nothing to worry about.
Babies have unique sleep patterns and are still adjusting to life outside the womb. 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 confuse night and day. It is common for babies to wake every 2-3 hours to eat, and they may cry out in their sleep or wake up crying if they are hungry. Exposing a baby to natural daylight and establishing a routine may help regulate their sleep patterns.
There are several reasons why newborns may cry in their sleep. They may be hungry, or they may need a new diaper. They may be too hot or too cold, or they may be experiencing teething pain. Wayward light, noise, or being overtired can also disturb a baby's sleep and cause them to cry. In some cases, babies may cry in their sleep due to nightmares or night terrors, although these are more common in older children.
If a baby is crying for longer than a three-hour stretch and can't be consoled, it is recommended to contact a doctor. While the cry it out is a sleep training method that some parents use, it is generally not recommended for newborns. Pediatricians advise waiting until a baby is at least 16 weeks old before starting sleep training, as the baby's circadian rhythm is still maturing during the first four months. Instead, it is important to respond quickly to a newborn's cries and meet their needs.
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Reasons for crying include hunger, gas, teething, temperature, and Moro reflex
Newborns have unique sleep and hunger cues, and over time, parents can learn to recognise these cues and respond accordingly. However, it can be challenging for new parents to differentiate between hunger and sleep cues, as some behaviours overlap. For example, a baby might cry because they are hungry and need to eat, or they might cry because they are overtired and need sleep.
Hunger
A hungry baby might cry inconsolably and want to eat immediately, but if the hunger cues are missed, they may become overtired and refuse to feed. Other signs of hunger include thrashing the head from side to side, turning away from the caregiver, turning red in the face, tugging on the ears, staring, frowning, and red eyebrows.
Gas
Newborns might swallow air when they cry or feed, and this air is expelled as a burp. In the first few days, farts are a good sign that their guts are waking up. As time goes on, some liquid in the intestines may be left undigested, and the gut bacteria produce gas as a byproduct. This gas wants to escape, but newborns are not good at getting it out and are unaccustomed to the sensation, so they may cry. Probiotics have not been shown to affect gas in infants.
Teething
Infants usually start teething around three months old, and the pain and discomfort of new teeth emerging in sensitive gums can cause them to cry out in pain. This phase is temporary, and parents can help by offering extra care and attention, cold and soothing teethers, or, as a last resort, over-the-counter medication recommended by a paediatrician.
Temperature
Newborns are sensitive to temperature changes and may cry if they are too hot or too cold. It is important to ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather and their sleeping environment is comfortable.
Moro Reflex
The Moro reflex is a normal response in newborn infants, and they may cry when it is triggered. This reflex is tested by placing the infant face-up on a soft surface, gently lifting their head, and then releasing it suddenly to fall backward momentarily before supporting it again. The normal response is for the baby to have a startled look, fling out their arms sideways with palms up and thumbs flexed, and they may cry for a minute. The absence of the Moro reflex is abnormal and may indicate an injury or disease.
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Crying is a baby's main form of communication
Crying is a baby's primary means of communication, especially during the first few weeks of life. Newborns are new to the world and cannot express their needs in any other way. They cry to convey a range of emotions and needs, from hunger to discomfort due to a dirty diaper, or even a change in temperature.
During the first few months, a baby's sleep is unpredictable and often punctuated by brief waking periods and irregular naps. This is because their bodies are still adjusting to life outside the womb and have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle. Crying is a common occurrence during this time, and it can be caused by various factors, such as hunger, the need for comfort, or changes in temperature.
As babies grow and develop, they may continue to cry in their sleep due to various reasons. They might be sick, teething, or experiencing discomfort from a wet or dirty diaper. They might also be disturbed by external factors such as light or noise. In some cases, babies may experience nightmares or night terrors, which can cause them to cry out in their sleep. However, it's important to note that nightmares typically occur during light sleep or REM sleep, while night terrors occur during deeper sleep and are characterised by agitation.
While it can be distressing to hear your baby cry, it's important to remember that crying is a normal part of their development. Pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is at least 16 weeks old before considering sleep training methods such as the cry-it-out (CIO) method, also known as the extinction method. This method involves letting your baby cry themselves to sleep after their needs have been met, with the aim of teaching them to fall asleep independently. However, it's important to approach this method with caution and only after consulting with your pediatrician, as it may not be suitable for all babies or families.
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Sleep training methods like 'cry-it-out' may help babies sleep independently
It is common for newborns to cry in their sleep. They may be crying due to hunger, discomfort from a wet diaper, teething pain, or an unsuitable room temperature. Crying is also a newborn's primary form of communication, and they may cry in their sleep simply because they are trying to signal that they need attention or comfort.
Sleep training methods like the cry-it-out (CIO) method may help babies sleep independently. However, it is important to wait until your baby is at least 16 weeks old before starting sleep training, including the cry-it-out method. Before this age, a baby's circadian rhythm is still maturing, and they are working on understanding the difference between day and night. Sleep training during this period is not only unnecessary but also ineffective.
The cry-it-out method is a sleep training approach that aims to help babies learn to fall asleep independently. Once a baby's needs have been met (feeding, clean diaper, etc.), the baby is left to settle themselves to sleep. It is important to remember that this method may not be the right fit for every baby and family, and experts have mixed opinions on whether or when to use it. Understanding your baby's cues and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine are key to success in sleep training.
If you are considering the cry-it-out method, it is important to prepare and determine your timeline. Discuss the approach with your partner and other caregivers so that everyone is on the same page. It is also crucial to ensure that your baby is following a developmentally appropriate sleep schedule with the right number of naps and age-appropriate wake windows.
While some sources suggest that letting a baby cry it out will not cause physical damage to their brain, others emphasize the importance of responding quickly to a baby's cries to promote a healthy attachment style. If your baby is crying for an extended period and cannot be consoled, it is recommended to contact your doctor.
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Nightmares and night terrors are rare in babies but may cause crying
While nightmares and night terrors are rare in babies, they may still occur and cause crying. Nightmares occur during light sleep, or REM sleep, which is a deeper sleep that happens later in the sleep cycle. Since newborns and infants have more REM sleep than adults, some researchers assume that this means newborns have more nightmares. However, there is no proof as newborns cannot confirm whether they are having nightmares. Other scientists argue that infants cannot have nightmares because they are complex mental experiences, and young babies are still learning to understand and process the world.
Night terrors, on the other hand, occur when a child becomes very agitated during the deeper phases of sleep. They are relatively rare in babies and typically occur in children aged between 4 and 12 years old. However, some babies as young as 18 months old have been reported to experience night terrors. During a night terror, a baby may scream, cry, or flail while still sleeping and is inconsolable. They may seem awake, but they are only semi-conscious and do not know what is going on.
If you think your baby is having nightmares or night terrors, there are some things you can do to help. If your baby is having a nightmare, you can soothe them by talking calmly to them, rubbing their back, or, if they are still breastfed, offering the breast. If your baby wakes up after a nightmare, comfort them and follow a soothing sleep ritual to get them back to sleep. Older babies and toddlers may need reassurance that the nightmare was not real.
If your baby is having a night terror, it is best not to wake them as they will be very disoriented. Instead, stay calm, take a deep breath, and remember that the night terror will be over soon and is not harmful to your baby. Go to them quickly, and if the crying continues, try talking softly to them or rubbing their back or stomach. This can help shift them into a different stage of sleep and stop the crying.
To reduce the occurrence of nightmares and night terrors, you can try to prevent over-tiredness by sticking to a consistent bedtime routine. Creating a soothing environment and choosing happy, uplifting, or funny books to read to your baby before bed can also help.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is normal for newborns to cry themselves to sleep. Newborns are new to the world and crying is their main form of communication. They might be hungry, uncomfortable, or overtired. They might also be in pain due to teething or reflux, or they could be too hot or too cold.
Pediatricians advise waiting until your baby is at least 16 weeks old and weighs 14 pounds before starting sleep training, including the cry-it-out method. However, it's important to remember that there are many sleep-training methods to consider, and crying it out is just one. It may not be the right fit for every baby and family, and experts have mixed opinions on whether or when to use it.
If your baby is crying and can't be consoled, it's a good idea to contact your doctor. If your baby is crying more intensely and longer than normal, this could be a sign that something else is wrong. In the meantime, try talking softly to your baby or rubbing their back or stomach. Breastfed babies who nurse in their sleep may also find comfort from nursing.
