Herbie Murray
It can be distressing for parents to see their baby crying in their sleep, but it is a very common occurrence. There are many reasons why newborns scream in their sleep, and it is important for parents to understand these reasons to help their seemingly distressed baby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep in shorter bursts and spend more time in REM sleep than adults. |
| REM sleep | REM sleep is when a baby is dreaming and is also known as light sleep. |
| Brain development | Babies may be more unsettled due to mental leaps and increased brain development. |
| Hunger | Newborns may cry during sleep because they are hungry. |
| Discomfort | The baby may be too hot or cold, gassy, or have a dirty diaper. |
| Self-soothing | Babies who learn to connect sleep cycles by self-soothing are more likely to become independent sleepers. |
| Night terrors | Babies may scream in their sleep due to night terrors or nightmares, although this is less common in newborns. |
| Overtiredness | Newborns may cry during sleep if they are overtired or exhausted. |
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What You'll Learn
Hunger or discomfort
Newborns are restless sleepers, and it is normal for them to make noise, whimper, or briefly wake during REM sleep. REM sleep is the light, active phase marked by dreams, moving in the crib, and tears. If your newborn is crying in their sleep, it is a good idea to do a quick check of their sleep environment to see if anything is disturbing them.
If your newborn is screaming in their sleep, it is worth checking on them for any signs of discomfort, such as temperature or a dirty diaper, and gently soothing them without waking them fully. It is recommended to avoid waking them unless necessary, as this can cause more confusion and disrupt their long-term sleep development. If you can, give them a moment to see if they settle back into a more restful sleep on their own.
If your newborn is inconsolable and seems awake, they may be having a night terror. This is a semi-conscious state where they will usually go back to sleep on their own and not remember the episode in the morning.
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Sleep cycles and self-soothing
Sleep plays a major role in a baby's cognitive development. Hence, it is important for parents to understand and promote good sleep.
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period. They do not know the difference between day and night and sleep in multiple short bursts. As they grow older, they start sleeping for longer periods during the night and shorter periods during the day. However, not all babies conform to an "adult" sleep schedule at the same age.
A newborn baby's sleep cycle falls into two categories: REM (rapid eye movement)/active and NREM (non-rapid eye movement)/quiet. REM sleep is when your baby is dreaming and is also known as light sleep. They might appear unsettled, but these movements are a natural part of your baby's sleep cycle. Babies begin experiencing four stages of sleep around three months of age, but it is not until they are closer to five years old that their sleep architecture mirrors that of adults.
A newborn's ability to settle themselves between sleep cycles is called self-settling or self-soothing. Different babies have different temperaments, personalities, and self-settling abilities. It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, may be challenging to maintain in the long term and can create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep.
If your baby cries out in their sleep, they might be transitioning from one sleep stage to the next. Often, they will settle back down, but sometimes the change wakes them up. If your baby cries during the night, try leaving them for a moment to see if they can drift back into sleep on their own. As your baby grows, you will be able to better pinpoint what is happening.
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Night terrors
There is no treatment for night terrors, and they usually go away on their own. Most babies grow out of them. To help manage night terrors, parents can try to develop a soothing bedtime routine and put the baby to bed at the same time each night to prevent exhaustion.
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Brain development
Newborns spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than adults. REM sleep is when a baby is dreaming and is also known as light sleep. They might appear unsettled, but these movements are part of a baby's natural sleep cycle.
Newborns scream in their sleep due to the various brain developments they are undergoing. One source states that mental leaps can make a baby more unsettled and cause sleep regression. This is when a baby wakes up crying and is communicating their needs to their caregiver.
Night terrors are another reason for newborns screaming in their sleep. This is a semi-conscious state where the baby will scream or cry but will usually go back to sleep on their own and not remember the episode in the morning.
Newborns also scream in their sleep due to the pain associated with teething. The pain may not be enough to wake them up completely, and they may settle down more deeply if given a chance.
Additionally, newborns may scream in their sleep because they are overtired. This happens when a baby stays up past their wake window.
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Temperature or diaper changes
It is not uncommon for newborns to scream in their sleep. While it can be distressing for parents to witness, it is usually nothing to worry about.
One of the most common reasons for newborns to cry is that they need something and are communicating their needs. This could be because they are hungry, uncomfortable, or in discomfort due to a dirty diaper. Newborns may also be struggling with temperature regulation, so it is important to ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather and the room they are sleeping in is maintained at a comfortable temperature.
If your newborn is crying in their sleep, it is recommended to first check if they have soiled their diaper or if they are too hot or cold. If so, address the issue and see if they settle back to sleep. If they continue to cry, it may be best to gently soothe them without fully waking them, as waking them up can disrupt their natural process of self-soothing and may cause more confusion.
Occasional crying in small doses while sleeping is usually not something to be seriously concerned about. In most cases, it is better to wait and watch to see if the newborn can settle themselves back into a calm state rather than immediately waking them up. This allows them to develop self-soothing skills and can help them become strong sleepers as they grow older.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns scream in their sleep for a variety of reasons. They could be hungry, gassy, uncomfortable, or overtired. They might also be too hot or too cold.
If your newborn is screaming in their sleep, you should do a quick check of their sleep environment to see if anything is wrong. If they are hungry, feed them. If they are uncomfortable, check if they need a new diaper or if they are too hot or cold. If they are overtired, help them settle down quickly and speed up your bedtime routine.
Yes, it is normal for newborns to scream in their sleep. Newborns sleep in shorter bursts and spend more time in REM sleep than adults, which is when they dream and move around. They might be transitioning between sleep cycles and self-soothing.
To help your newborn sleep better, you can swaddle them with a lightweight blanket during the newborn to 2-month age range. You can also stroke their tummy and gently reassure them with a calming voice.
