Evie Summers
Newborns go through two sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. Active sleep is similar to REM sleep in adults, but the skeletal muscles of newborns are not paralysed during this stage, so they move around, make noises, and sometimes even open their eyes while sleeping. Newborns also have short sleep cycles, constantly drifting in and out of sleep, and their breathing is often irregular. As a result, it is normal for babies to make a lot of noise while sleeping, and humming is one of the ways they self-soothe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal | Yes |
| Self-soothing | Yes |
| Natural | Yes |
| Active sleep | Yes |
| Development | On track |
| Cause for concern | No |
| Physician visit | If humming throughout the night |
| White noise machine | Turn off if used |
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What You'll Learn
Humming is a form of self-soothing
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, newborns move around, make noises like grunting, moaning, and whimpering, and sometimes even open their eyes. These sleep noises are a result of the baby's body systems, including the lungs and stomach, still developing and learning how to work.
If your baby is humming while they sleep, it is likely completely natural and a sign of self-soothing. However, if your baby is humming throughout the entire night, it may be a good idea to consult a paediatrician or an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician to rule out any potential issues.
It is important to note that while most sleep noises are normal, there are some sounds that may be a cause for concern. For example, rapid breathing or grunting at the end of every breath could indicate a blockage in the airway. Observing your baby's physical appearance can often provide a better indication of their overall health than the sounds they make.
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Humming helps babies create calming chest vibrations
It is completely normal for babies to make noises while they sleep. Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, babies move around, make noises like grunting, moaning, and whimpering, and sometimes even open their eyes, all while they're actually sleeping.
Self-soothing is a huge part of sleep training. Humming is one of the ways babies self-soothe and create a calming environment for themselves. By producing these repetitive noises, your baby is creating vibrations in the chest that are very calming. These self-soothing techniques are very important life skills that will help them become more independent as they get older.
Babies are just learning how to regulate their breathing and lungs. Their body systems are still developing, and their lungs and stomach are still working out how to work. That means there will be a lot of harmless misfires when it comes to running smoothly. Newborns' breathing is often irregular, and their breathing rate is about 40 to 60 breaths per minute, slowing to 30 to 40 breaths per minute when sleeping.
If your baby is humming while they’re asleep, it’s likely completely natural. Whimpering and humming could signify that they’re moving from lighter sleep into a deeper sleep. However, if your baby is humming throughout the entire night, it may not be a situation of self-soothing, and you may want to consider taking them to see a pediatrician.
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Humming is a natural part of a newborn's active sleep
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each cycle. Active sleep is similar to REM sleep in adults, but with one key difference: while adults' skeletal muscles are paralysed during this stage, newborns' are not. As a result, babies move around, make noises, and sometimes even open their eyes while they are sleeping.
During active sleep, newborns' bodies are still working hard to learn vital skills, such as digestion and breathing regulation. With all this development happening during active sleep, it is normal for newborns to consistently move and make noises such as grunting, moaning, and humming. These self-soothing techniques are important life skills that will help them become more independent as they grow older.
By producing repetitive noises, newborns create vibrations in their chest that are very calming. These noises usually occur at bedtime rather than during sleep. Newborns may wake up in the middle of the night and start humming or singing themselves back to sleep. Whimpering and humming could also indicate that they are transitioning from a lighter sleep to a deeper sleep.
If your newborn is humming throughout the entire night, it may not be a case of self-soothing, and you should consider taking them to see a paediatrician. However, in most cases, humming is a natural part of a newborn's active sleep and is nothing to worry about.
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Humming is a learned behaviour
It is completely normal for newborns to make a variety of noises while sleeping, and humming is one of them. Babies are known to hum, whimper, or make "shushing" or "mooing" sounds as they transition from lighter sleep to deeper sleep. These sounds are a form of self-soothing, which is an important life skill that helps them become more independent as they grow older.
Another factor that contributes to humming as a learned behaviour is the environment in which the baby is raised. If a caregiver frequently hums, sings, or makes "shushing" noises to comfort the baby, the baby may associate these sounds with relaxation and security. As a result, they may start to recreate these sounds to self-soothe when they are tired or trying to fall asleep. This behaviour can also be observed in older children who rock themselves to sleep, as it provides a sense of familiarity and comfort.
It is important to note that while humming is generally considered a self-soothing technique, it can also be a sign of something else. If a baby is humming throughout the entire night, it may not be a form of self-soothing. In such cases, it is recommended to consult a paediatrician or an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to rule out any potential issues, such as reflux, which can irritate the throat and cause a floppy trachea.
While newborn sleep is often characterised by active sleep with frequent movements and noises, it is still important for caregivers to be vigilant and observe their baby's overall health and physical appearance. This can provide a better indication of their well-being rather than solely relying on the sounds they make.
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Humming may indicate a transition to deeper sleep
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each cycle. During active sleep, newborns make noises such as grunting, moaning, and whimpering, and they may even hum. These sounds are completely normal and are caused by the newborn's body and brain still developing and learning to regulate breathing and lung function.
Self-soothing is a huge part of sleep training. If your baby is humming themselves to sleep, they are likely just self-soothing and are right on track with their development. It is safe to say that most babies make these little noises to self-soothe, like when children rock or sing themselves to sleep. It may not always sound like humming, but perhaps a "shushing" or little "mooing" sound. They may even sound like they are chanting mantras in their crib!
If your baby is making abnormal sounds and you would like to monitor them better, it is recommended to turn off a white noise machine if you use one.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, newborns move around, make noises, and sometimes even open their eyes. Humming is a way for your baby to self-soothe and is completely normal.
Yes, it is normal for newborns to make a lot of noises during sleep. Their bodies are growing and developing, and their systems are still learning how to work. Newborns are also learning how to regulate their breathing and lungs, which can cause them to make unusual sounds.
While most sleep noises are normal, there are some that may be a cause for concern. If your baby is grunting at the end of every breath, this could be a sign of something blocking their airway. Rapid breathing is also normal for short periods, but if it persists, you should seek medical advice.
