Colin Snow
It is quite common for children, including infants, toddlers, and preteens, to move around a lot while sleeping. This can be due to various reasons, such as active dream cycles, nightmares, night terrors, or underlying conditions like pediatric restless leg syndrome, pediatric periodic limb movement disorder, or sleep apnea. While some degree of movement is normal, it is essential to monitor your child's sleeping patterns and address any concerns with a healthcare provider. Additionally, factors like screen time, noise levels, and room temperature can also impact your child's sleep quality and movement during sleep.
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What You'll Learn
Active dream states
It is completely normal for 1-year-olds to move a lot and make noises while sleeping. While it may seem like disturbed sleep, it is likely that your baby is simply dreaming. Babies spend about 50% of their sleep in the REM stage, which is associated with dreaming. However, their dreams are not like those of adults and older children, as they do not yet have the capacity to imagine things or understand fear. Instead, their dreams likely involve simple sensory experiences such as light, sound, or warmth.
As babies grow into toddlers, their sleep patterns and dreams also evolve. Toddlers tend to be more active at certain times of the night, especially after 4 am when they don't enter a deeper sleep. They may roll around, kick their legs, sit up, and flop back down before falling back asleep. This active sleep behaviour usually improves by school age.
In rare cases, excessive movement during sleep could indicate an underlying sleep condition such as pediatric restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea. If you are concerned about your child's sleep patterns or notice signs of disrupted sleep, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician or sleep specialist.
While we cannot be certain what babies dream about, research suggests that their dreams become more complex as they develop. By the preschool years, children's dreams may involve static imagery, and between ages 5 and 7, movement and social interaction start to appear. Dreams become more frequent and complex between ages 7 and 8, and by ages 9 to 11, they start to resemble adult dreams.
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Pediatric restless leg syndrome
It is completely normal for babies and toddlers to move around a lot in their sleep. This is usually due to their active dream cycles. However, in rare cases, a baby may have Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). RLS is a neurological disorder that impacts the brain, spine, and connecting nerves, affecting a child's ability to sit still or lie down without moving. It causes an uncontrollable need to move their legs, typically in response to pain, discomfort, or unpleasant sensations. These sensations are often described as aching, creepy-crawly, itching, or tingling, and they are usually worse at night or during periods of prolonged stillness. The pain and discomfort can be relieved by stretching, shaking, or moving the legs, or by walking around.
RLS can be diagnosed through a thorough medical history and physical examination. Blood tests may also be ordered to measure iron levels, as low iron stores in the body have been associated with increased RLS symptoms due to its role in brain dopamine function. Iron deficiency can cause or worsen RLS, even if it is not severe enough to cause anemia. Family history is also important, as there is a 50% chance of passing on the RLS trait to children if a parent has it.
Treatment options for RLS in children are limited, and the effectiveness of medications used in adults has not been established in pediatric cases. However, proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are crucial, as RLS can cause sleep disruption and impair sleep quality, resulting in daytime symptoms such as irritability, mood changes, lack of concentration, and restlessness. Pediatric sleep centers and sleep psychologists can help families establish good sleep habits and coordinate care with other specialists to improve sleep and optimize development.
If your child is moving a lot in their sleep but does not appear to be in discomfort or pain, it is likely that they are simply experiencing active dreams or adjusting their position for comfort. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine may help your child achieve deeper, more restful sleep.
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Night terrors
It is completely normal for babies and toddlers to move around a lot in their sleep. They will also make a lot of weird noises, including moaning, and this is also normal. If your baby's movements are disrupting their sleep, try to establish an age-appropriate sleep schedule and follow a bedtime routine. This may help build up their sleep drive and create a deeper, more restful sleep for them.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for night terrors. However, things like addressing stress in your child's life, avoiding screen time before bed, avoiding overtiredness, maintaining an age-appropriate bedtime, and ensuring your child feels safe in their sleep environment may help reduce them. If your child is experiencing recurring nightmares or night terrors, talk to your doctor.
If your child is having a night terror, do not wake them up. Instead, patiently wait it out, stay close by your child, speak calmly, and ensure their safety.
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Crawling and rolling
It is completely normal for a 1-year-old to move a lot while sleeping. This could be because they are dreaming, and it is likely that their sleep is not being disrupted by their movements. However, if their sleep is being disrupted, you could try to establish an age-appropriate sleep schedule and bedtime routine to help build up their sleep drive and create a deeper, more restful sleep.
When babies learn to roll, crawl, or walk, it can cause sleep regression. This is because they are practising their new skills in their sleep. During the REM phase of sleep, when we dream more deeply, babies are processing the crawling and rolling skills they have been learning and practising during their waking hours. A 2015 study by the Society for Research in Child Development found that the onset of crawling can be particularly disruptive to a baby's sleep, as this significant motor milestone requires a lot of practice and processing.
Babies usually learn to roll from their belly to their back much sooner than rolling from their back to their belly. If your baby is learning to roll, you should stop swaddling them, as they may be able to roll while swaddled. You should also be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing your baby on their back to sleep for all sleep episodes during the first year. If your baby rolls onto their tummy and gets stuck or uncomfortable, you should help them get back onto their back. You can also practice rolling with your baby during the day to help them master the skill.
As your baby begins to move around their crib, they may bump and roll into the sides. They may also pick up some unusual soothing habits like rocking, rubbing, banging, or rhythmic movements. Although it may be tempting to add bumpers or blankets to soften the crib sides, the AAP does not recommend using these items due to the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Screen time
It is completely normal for a 1-year-old to move around and make noises while asleep. This could be because they are dreaming, or it could be due to active sleep, a phenomenon that is common in newborns. However, if you are concerned about your baby's sleep patterns, it is recommended that you consult a pediatrician.
Now, regarding screen time:
Excessive screen time, especially before bed, can negatively impact a child's sleep. The light from television, computer, and phone screens stimulates the brain, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Therefore, it is advisable to limit your child's exposure to screens at least one hour before bedtime. This applies to adults as well.
If your toddler is frequently waking up at night, it is worth considering other potential causes besides screen time. For instance, ensure that their room is quiet and comfortable, reducing any noise disruptions from loud TVs or conversations in nearby rooms. You can also try a warm bath and a bedtime story to help your child relax before sleep.
Additionally, it is important to establish a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine. This will help your child develop good sleep habits and ensure they are getting the restorative sleep they need. A regular routine will also help you manage and overcome any sleep issues your child may be experiencing.
If your child is waking up exhausted and unrested despite appearing to get enough hours of sleep, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder like Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD) or Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). In such cases, it is recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Moving around while sleeping is quite normal for toddlers and infants. This could be because they are in an active dream cycle, or it could be due to a nightmare or night terror. In rare cases, it could be Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome or Pediatric Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.
You could try setting up a bedtime routine and checking that your child has had a drink, been to the toilet, and brushed their teeth. You should also make sure their room is quiet and comfortable, and that they are dressed appropriately for the temperature.
If you are concerned about your child's sleeping patterns, you should consult a doctor. You should also seek professional advice if your child is having frequent nightmares or experiencing high levels of anxiety during the day.
