Miya Pearson
Hearing your newborn scream from sleep can be distressing, but it is a common occurrence. There are several reasons why newborns wake up screaming, and it is important to identify the cause to help your baby get back to sleep. Newborns tend to sleep a lot, but they are still adjusting to life outside the womb, and their bodies are still learning to master the challenges of a regular sleep cycle. They may be screaming due to hunger, illness, nightmares, separation anxiety, or changes in their sleep environment.
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What You'll Learn
Sleep regression
During sleep regression, you may notice several signs in your newborn. They may become fussier and refuse to sleep unless held, start crying when you head to the nursery, or stand and cry in their crib during naptime. They may also begin waking up multiple times during the night, even though they previously slept well, or start waking up at 4:00 am when this wasn't an issue before.
The causes of sleep regression can vary. One factor is the attachment to a bedtime routine or sleep props. For example, if your baby consistently falls asleep with a pacifier or bottle, they may wake up crying if it's not there. Growth spurts and developmental milestones can also contribute to sleep regression. As babies grow, their sleep needs change, and they may experience more night wakings, nap refusals, and difficulty falling asleep. Additionally, the excitement of achieving new milestones, such as rolling over or crawling, can impact their sleep.
While sleep regression is a common explanation for a newborn's sudden screaming from sleep, there are other potential causes to consider. One reason could be separation anxiety, which typically peaks around 15 to 18 months of age. When your baby wakes up and realizes you're not there, they may react by crying or screaming hysterically. Illnesses, such as fever, stomachache, or congestion, can also cause sudden waking and distress in newborns. Additionally, teething pain or gas can lead to discomfort and crying during sleep.
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Separation anxiety
It can be distressing for parents and caregivers when a newborn wakes up screaming or crying hysterically. While there could be many reasons for this, one possible cause is separation anxiety.
To cope with separation anxiety in babies, it is important not to inadvertently reward the baby for calling for you in the middle of the night. You can check on them to ensure they are not sick or in need of a diaper change, and you can verbally comfort them. However, it is best not to pick them up, take them back to bed with you, or turn on the light. Before leaving, encourage your baby to go back to sleep, and if they continue to cry, you can comfort them for a little longer. Remember that this is a phase that many toddlers and older children go through, and it is a normal part of their development.
In toddlers, separation anxiety can be managed in a similar way as in babies. You can provide verbal comfort and encourage your toddler to go back to sleep, but try not to reward them for calling for you in the middle of the night. It is also important to be patient during this phase, as your toddler will likely grow out of separation anxiety in time.
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Hunger
Young babies go through periodic growth spurts that make them extra hungry. Not only might they wake up more often during the night to feed, but they might also request those feedings urgently. As they get older, they will drop some night feedings and go longer without eating.
If your baby is crying due to hunger, it's important to keep the disruption to a minimum. Give them a light feeding and place them back in their crib as soon as you're done, rather than allowing them to fully wake up. Establishing a bedtime routine is essential for infants. A consistent pattern each night can help them sleep better and prevent them from waking up due to momentary discomfort.
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Illness
Babies are restless sleepers, especially when they are newborns. Newborns tend to sleep between 16 and 20 hours a day, but this is broken down into lots of napping. Newborns aged 1-3 months are still adjusting to life outside the womb and are unlikely to sleep through the night. At this age, babies often cry out in their sleep or wake up crying if they are hungry. Sleeping through the night usually happens around the three-month mark, along with a handful of naps during the day. However, nighttime stretches may have interruptions. Babies, especially newborns, spend about half of their sleeping hours in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, which is the light, active phase marked by dreams, moving in the crib, and some tears.
If your baby is screaming in their sleep, it may be a night terror. Night terrors occur during the deep sleep phase, and it is likely to be more disturbing for you than the baby. Your baby doesn't know they are making a commotion and won't remember it in the morning. The best thing to do is ensure your baby's safety. Night terrors typically happen when a child is older, between 3 and 7 years of age, and it is rarer for babies younger than 18 months to experience them.
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Nightmares
Babies and newborns tend to sleep a lot, with some sleeping up to 16–18 hours a day, waking only for short breaks to eat or have their diaper changed. Newborns aged 1–3 months are still adjusting to life outside the womb and may cry out in their sleep or wake up crying due to hunger. Sleep regression can also occur around 4 months of age and again at 6, 8–10, and 12 months. This is a normal setback in a baby's regular nighttime routine and may be triggered by an upset in their routine or a developmental leap.
While it can be distressing to hear your baby crying or screaming in their sleep, it is important to remember that crying is their primary form of communication. They may be trying to communicate their needs, such as hunger, discomfort, temperature regulation, or a dirty diaper. Additionally, newborns' bodies are still adjusting to regular sleep cycles, so it is common for them to make strange sounds or wake frequently during sleep.
If you suspect your baby is having a nightmare, you can try soothing them by speaking calmly or rubbing their back. If they are still breastfeeding, they may find comfort in nursing. For older babies and toddlers, provide reassurance that the nightmare was not real and follow a soothing sleep ritual to help them get back to sleep.
It is worth noting that nightmares and night terrors are most common between the ages of 3 and 6 years, and most children won't experience them until around age 2. Therefore, a newborn who is crying in their sleep is likely experiencing something else, such as hunger, discomfort, or a change in their sleep routine.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns tend to sleep a lot, but they also tend to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. Crying is a baby's primary form of communication, so they might be hungry, uncomfortable, too hot or cold, or in need of a diaper change.
It's very common for newborns to cry in their sleep, and it's usually nothing to worry about. Crying during sleep is a very normal thing that many babies do.
Observe your baby's sleep pattern to try to identify the cause of the crying. If you think your baby is having a nightmare, you can soothe them by talking calmly to them or rubbing their back. If they are still breastfeeding, nursing may also be comforting.
Yes, newborns are still adjusting to life outside the womb and may be experiencing a sleep regression, which is a normal setback in their nighttime routine. They may also be experiencing separation anxiety, which is typical for babies around 9 months old.
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