Ashwin Lewis
Hearing your newborn scream in their sleep can be distressing, but it's important to remember that it's a common occurrence and usually nothing to worry about. Newborns go through two sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, it's normal for babies to move around, make noises, and even open their eyes while remaining asleep. Their sleep patterns are also different from those of older babies and adults, as they spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming and light sleep. This can make them appear unsettled, but it's a normal part of their natural sleep cycle. Occasional crying during sleep is usually not a cause for alarm, but if you're concerned, it's recommended to contact your healthcare provider for advice and reassurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasional crying during sleep | Normal |
| Frequent crying during sleep | May be due to hunger, diaper change, or temperature |
| REM sleep | Dreaming or light sleep |
| Sleep disturbances | Crying without being fully awake |
| Self-soothing | Newborns may not have the skills to settle themselves to sleep |
| Overtiredness | May cause crying during sleep |
| Illness | Fever, stomachache, congestion |
| Night terrors | Semi-conscious state where the baby screams or cries |
| Sleep regression | Attachment to a bedtime routine |
| Growth spurts | Increased hunger |
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Hunger or discomfort
Hunger is one of the most common reasons for newborns to cry in their sleep. Newborns tend to sleep a lot, but they also wake up frequently to eat and may need a diaper change. Young babies go through periodic growth spurts that make them extra hungry, which may cause them to wake up more often during the night to feed. You'll eventually be able to identify your baby's feeding schedule, making it easier to determine if they're crying due to hunger.
Discomfort is another potential reason for your newborn's sleep screaming. Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, babies may move around, make noise (including cries), and even open their eyes, all while they're actually still asleep. This can be alarming for parents, but it's a normal part of their sleep cycle.
If your baby is screaming in their sleep but not fully awake, it's a good idea to give them a moment to see if they settle on their own. This can help you determine if they're just transitioning between sleep cycles or if they're genuinely distressed. If they continue to cry, check for any signs of discomfort, such as an uncomfortable temperature or a dirty diaper.
To prevent fussiness due to discomfort, ensure your baby's sleep environment is comfortable. The optimal temperature for baby sleep is 68-72°F. As a general guideline, dress your baby in one more layer than you're wearing. Additionally, using a sound machine can help create a peaceful atmosphere and minimise disturbances.
While occasional crying during sleep is typical, if you're concerned about persistent crying in longer bursts, you can always consult your healthcare provider for advice.
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Sleep environment
Temperature
Maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. The optimal temperature for newborn sleep is 68–72 °F (20–22 °C). Dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear to ensure they are neither too hot nor too cold.
Noise
Use a sound machine to create soothing background noise, which can help your baby sleep better. If your baby is sleeping in a different room, turn down the volume on the monitor to avoid being startled by every little sound they make.
Light
Ensure the sleep environment is dark. If your baby wakes up during the night, keep the lights low to signal that it is still bedtime.
Space
If your baby shares your room, move their bassinet farther away from your bed. This will help reduce the risk of your baby being disturbed by your movements or sounds.
Bedtime Routine
Establish a consistent bedtime routine. For newborns, this should be brief, lasting approximately 10 minutes, and include activities such as changing their diaper, applying lotion, swaddling, and rocking them until they are drowsy. As your baby grows, you can extend the routine to 15–30 minutes and include reading books or singing lullabies.
Sleep Props
Avoid creating sleep associations or "sleep props" that your baby may become dependent on. For example, if your baby consistently falls asleep while being rocked or fed, they may cry when they wake up and find themselves alone.
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Night terrors
During a night terror, a baby may scream, cry, or have a rapid heart rate. They may also appear frightened or confused. However, it's important to note that babies won't remember a night terror, and they are often more scary for the parent than the baby experiencing it. Night terrors usually occur only once a night and can last for a few minutes up to 45 minutes.
If your newborn is experiencing night terrors, there are some things you can do to help reduce the occurrence:
- Develop a bedtime routine: A predictable bedtime routine can help settle your baby and make them feel secure before falling asleep.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule: Putting your baby to bed at the same time each night can help prevent exhaustion, which may trigger night terrors.
- Identify triggers: Keep a log of your baby's night terrors to help identify potential triggers, such as stressors, fatigue, or certain foods.
- Create a soothing environment: Ensure your baby's sleep environment is comfortable and peaceful.
- Contact your healthcare provider: If you are concerned about persistent night terrors, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and support.
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REM sleep
It is not common for babies to cry in their sleep, but it does happen. Occasional crying during sleep is usually not a cause for alarm. Newborns wake more frequently than older babies due to their developing nervous systems and frequent need to eat, and this includes more sleep disturbances like crying without being fully awake.
Babies spend a significant amount of time in REM sleep, which is a lighter sleep stage than deep sleep. They transition between sleep cycles very rapidly, and their sleep patterns alternate between non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement (REM). During REM sleep, babies may twitch, grunt, smile, or cry out briefly. It is a normal part of their sleep cycle, and they may simply settle back down on their own.
If your baby is crying during the night, try leaving them for a moment or two to see if they can drift back into more restful sleep on their own. You can also try a bedtime routine to help your baby settle to sleep quickly. This might include changing their diaper, applying lotion or a soothing massage, swaddling them, or rocking them until they are drowsy.
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Brain development
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. Active sleep is similar to REM sleep for adults, but with one key difference: adults' skeletal muscles are paralysed during this stage, whereas babies' are not. Instead, babies move around, make noise (including grunting and crying), and sometimes even open their eyes, all while they're sleeping.
During the early months, a newborn's brain and body are working hard to learn vital skills, such as digestion, even when they're asleep. With all this development happening during active sleep, you can expect to see your baby consistently moving as well as making grunting sounds, moaning, and even crying.
Babies spend more time in REM sleep than adults, and this is when they dream, or experience light sleep. Their eyes may move behind their eyelids, and they might jerk or twitch, and their breathing may become irregular. They may appear unsettled, but these movements are a normal part of their natural sleep cycle.
During light sleep, the brain works hard to process new memories, file away information, and match it with other similar experiences. With so many new experiences to absorb, it's no wonder that babies can sometimes get overwhelmed. This mental development can make your baby more unsettled for a while, causing crying and sleep regression.
If your baby is screaming in their sleep but not awake, it's worth giving them a moment to see if they settle on their own, as screaming can be part of their sleep cycle. If they continue to cry, check on them for any signs of discomfort, like temperature or a dirty diaper, and gently soothe them without waking them fully. Avoid waking them unless necessary, as it can cause more confusion.
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Frequently asked questions
Occasional crying during sleep is usually not a cause for alarm. Newborns tend to sleep a lot, and they wake up frequently for short breaks to eat and have a diaper change. If your baby is screaming in their sleep, they may be hungry, gassy, uncomfortable, or overtired.
If your baby is screaming in their sleep, first check if they are hungry or need a diaper change. If not, ensure that the room temperature is comfortable for your baby. Dress them in one more layer than you are wearing, and maintain a room temperature of 68-72°F if possible.
Yes, newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep. They may be screaming in their sleep because they are in the active sleep cycle, which is similar to REM sleep for adults. During active sleep, babies may move around, make noise, and even open their eyes while sleeping.
Newborns tend to sleep for 16 to 18 hours each day, waking up only for short breaks to eat and have a diaper change. If your newborn is sleeping significantly more or less than this, it may be a cause for concern.
If your newborn won't stop screaming in their sleep, it may be a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for advice. They can help you determine if there are any underlying issues causing your baby's distress.
