Colin Snow
Newborns spend a lot of time sleeping — up to 20 hours a day — and it can be distressing for parents to hear their baby whimpering or crying in their sleep. There are many reasons why newborns whimper in their sleep, including hunger, discomfort, separation anxiety, or simply transitioning between sleep cycles. As newborns spend a lot of time in REM sleep, they may also be dreaming, although they are unlikely to remember these dreams. While it can be difficult to hear your baby crying, it's important to remember that it's not always necessary to intervene immediately. In fact, doing so may disrupt their natural sleep cycle and their ability to self-soothe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal or harmless | Newborns whimper in their sleep as part of their normal sleep cycle |
| REM sleep | Newborns spend 50% of their sleep in the REM stage, which is when they cry and whimper |
| Hunger | Newborns may whimper in their sleep when they are hungry |
| Discomfort | Newborns may whimper in their sleep when they are uncomfortable, such as when they have a wet diaper |
| Sickness | Newborns may whimper in their sleep when they are unwell |
| Dreams | Newborns may whimper in their sleep due to dreams or nightmares |
| Sleep cycles | Newborns may whimper when transitioning between sleep cycles |
| Separation anxiety | Newborns may whimper when they realise their parents are not nearby |
| Reassurance | Newborns may whimper when they need the comfort of a parent's presence |
| Overstimulation | Newborns may whimper when they are overstimulated and struggle to calm themselves |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns spend more time in the REM stage of sleep
Newborns typically spend about half of their sleep time in this active sleep state, and their sleep cycles are much shorter than those of adults, lasting around 30 minutes for newborns and 50-60 minutes when they are a few months old. As babies grow older, they spend less time in the REM stage of sleep, reducing from 50% to around 30%. This means that as babies grow, they will cry less in their sleep as their sleep patterns and phases change.
There are many reasons why newborns may whimper or cry in their sleep, and it is important to understand their sleep patterns and schedules to determine the reason. Newborns may cry in their sleep due to hunger, discomfort, or emotional factors. They may also be transitioning between different stages of sleep, which can trigger crying. Other possible causes include wet or dirty diapers, tight clothing or swaddling, uncomfortable sleeping positions, teething, and disturbing dreams or nightmares.
It is worth noting that newborns may also exhibit something called the Moro reflex, or the "startle reflex", which is an involuntary movement in response to sudden movements or loud noises. This can also cause them to whimper or cry in their sleep.
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Crying is a baby's way of communicating
Babies cry for many reasons, and it can be a challenge for parents and caregivers to understand what they need. However, it is important to remember that crying is one of a baby's most important ways of communicating.
Babies' sleep cycles are much shorter than adults', and they spend a higher percentage of time in REM sleep, or "active sleep". During this stage, it is common for babies to appear restless and make sounds, including whimpering and crying. This can be part of their normal sleep cycle and a way for them to "work through" their natural growth and development.
As babies grow, caregivers will begin to recognize different types of cries and what they mean. For example, a baby's cry may indicate that they are hungry, in pain, or uncomfortable due to a wet diaper or an uncomfortable sleeping position. Older babies may also experience nightmares or bad dreams that cause them to cry out in their sleep.
While it can be distressing for parents to hear their baby cry, it is important to remember that crying is a normal part of infancy and development. In most cases, it is completely harmless, and babies will often fall back asleep on their own without fully waking up. Caregivers can also practice "le pause" or the SITBACK method, briefly observing the baby to see if they settle back to sleep before intervening. This can help the baby learn to self-soothe and connect their sleep cycles independently.
As babies develop, they will also learn other ways to communicate besides crying, such as sucking on pacifiers or making sounds like gurgling and cooing. Over time, caregivers will become more adept at interpreting a baby's cries and responding to their needs.
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Babies may be hungry, uncomfortable, or in pain
Newborns have different sleep patterns than adults, with their sleep cycles being much shorter (around 30 minutes for newborns and 50-60 minutes when they’re a few months old) and lighter. During this sleep stage, it’s not unusual for them to appear restless, and they’ll often wriggle, twitch, jerk, or even pull faces. It’s also normal for them to make sounds during active sleep, which can include gurgling, cooing, whimpering and crying.
Babies may also be uncomfortable. A soiled diaper can cause discomfort and wake a baby, leading to crying. Regularly checking and changing diapers can help alleviate this issue. Clothes or swaddles that are too tight can restrict movement and cause discomfort. Ensuring a snug but not too tight fit can help. An uncomfortable sleeping position may cause a baby to cry until they are repositioned. The process of teeth breaking through the gums can be painful and often disrupts sleep. Other signs of teething, like drooling and gum rubbing, can accompany sleep disturbances. Ensuring the baby is dressed appropriately for the sleep environment can help maintain a comfortable temperature.
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Sleep cycles and transitioning between sleep stages
The sleep cycle of infants differs from that of adults. Newborns sleep up to 18 hours each day, with the longest continuous sleep episode typically lasting 2.5 to 4 hours. Newborns have three different types of sleep: quiet sleep (akin to NREM), active sleep (akin to REM), and indeterminate sleep.
In the first few months of life, babies' sleep is split nearly evenly between REM and NREM sleep stages. As a baby grows, they begin to spend less time in REM sleep and start experiencing the three stages of NREM, instead of one.
The human body cycles through two phases of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which is further divided into three stages: N1 to N3. Each phase and stage of sleep includes variations in muscle tone, brain wave patterns, and eye movements. The body cycles through all stages approximately 4 to 6 times each night, averaging 90 minutes for each cycle.
Babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may have difficulty going back to sleep in the first few months. When a newborn awakens at the end of a sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase. During this time, babies are very still, but awake and taking in their environment. They may look or stare at objects and respond to sounds and motion. This phase usually progresses to the active alert phase, in which the baby is attentive to sounds and sights and moves actively. After this phase comes a crying phase, during which the baby's body moves erratically, and they may cry loudly.
Babies may cry out in their sleep due to various reasons, such as discomfort, dreams, or transitioning between sleep stages, which can be part of their natural sleep development process. As babies grow, parents will begin to recognize their hungry and sick cries and learn to tell them apart from their uncomfortable or transitioning cries.
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Dreams and nightmares
It is unclear whether newborns dream or have nightmares. Many parents report that their newborns whimper, whine, or cry in their sleep, but it is difficult to determine whether this is due to dreams or nightmares. Some sources suggest that newborns do not have vivid dreams or nightmares, while others claim that babies can experience disturbing dreams or nightmares that cause them to cry out in their sleep.
As babies grow older, they spend less time in the REM stage of sleep, which is when they are more likely to cry or whimper. This means that as babies grow, they are less likely to cry in their sleep since their sleep patterns are changing. However, it is important to note that babies can still experience discomfort, hunger, or sickness that may cause them to cry in their sleep, regardless of their age.
It is common for babies to make noises, including crying, while they are still completely asleep. This can be explained by their sleep cycles, which are much shorter and lighter than those of adults. During the REM stage of sleep, it is not unusual for babies to appear restless and make sounds, including whimpering and crying.
While it can be concerning for parents to hear their baby cry in their sleep, it is often completely normal and harmless. In most cases, it is recommended to practice "le pause" and observe the baby for a short time before intervening. This allows the baby to potentially fall back asleep on their own and helps parents avoid fully waking their baby unnecessarily.
However, there may be situations where a baby is crying in their sleep due to discomfort, pain, or illness. Common causes of discomfort include hunger, wet or dirty diapers, tight clothing or swaddling, emerging teeth, and uncomfortable sleeping positions. If a baby is crying for an extended period or showing signs of distress, it is important to investigate and address their needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in an active sleep state, which can cause them to appear restless and whimper or cry in their sleep. Newborns also have shorter sleep cycles than adults, and they may briefly wake up and whimper between cycles. As they grow older, they will spend less time in the REM stage and are less likely to whimper in their sleep.
It is recommended that you practice "le pause" and observe your baby for a few minutes to see if they settle back to sleep on their own. Newborns can cry for up to four hours per day, so it is important for parents to also take time for themselves to relax.
Crying is the primary way for newborns to communicate their needs. They may be crying because they are hungry, uncomfortable, overtired, or in need of attention or reassurance. They may also be experiencing discomfort due to a wet diaper, teething, or an uncomfortable sleeping position.
