It can be truly heart-wrenching to hear your baby cry out in their sleep. As a parent, your first instinct is to rush in and comfort them. However, it’s often reassuring to know that babies crying in their sleep is frequently a normal part of their development. Understanding baby sleep patterns, the reasons behind these nighttime cries, and how to respond can help you navigate these moments with confidence and provide the best support for your little one.
Understanding Baby Sleep Cycles
Babies have significantly different sleep patterns compared to adults. Not only do they require more sleep overall, distributed in shorter periods, especially newborns, but their sleep architecture is also unique. A primary distinction is that babies spend a considerably larger proportion of their sleep time in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep than adults do.
REM sleep, also known as active or light sleep, is the phase when dreaming occurs. During REM sleep, you might observe your baby’s eyes moving beneath their eyelids. They may also exhibit twitches, jerks, and irregular breathing patterns. While these movements and sounds might seem unsettling, they are simply normal physiological occurrences as your baby cycles through their natural sleep stages.
This light sleep phase is crucial for a baby’s developing brain. During REM sleep, the brain is actively processing new experiences, consolidating memories, organizing information, and connecting new inputs with existing knowledge. Given the sheer volume of new stimuli and experiences a baby encounters daily, it’s understandable that their brains are working overtime, sometimes leading to apparent sleep disturbances.
Navigating the Six States of Alertness
Beyond REM and deep sleep, babies cycle through six distinct states of alertness throughout the day and night. These states, which many parents intuitively recognize, include deep sleep, light sleep (REM), drowsy, calm alert, fussy alert, and crying.
When a baby vocalizes or cries out in their sleep, it could simply be a manifestation of their transition between these sleep stages. Often, babies will naturally settle back into a deeper sleep without fully waking. However, these transitions can sometimes lead to brief awakenings or periods of fussiness.
What to Do When Your Baby Cries in Their Sleep
If you hear your baby crying during the night, your initial reaction might be to immediately pick them up to soothe them. However, a helpful first step is to pause for a minute or two before intervening. Observe your baby and give them a chance to self-soothe and drift back into a more restful sleep on their own.
It’s important to remember that your baby is undergoing rapid brain development and significant mental progression. These cognitive leaps, while essential for growth, can sometimes temporarily disrupt a baby’s sleep patterns, leading to increased fussiness, crying, and even sleep regression.
However, if the crying escalates or sounds distressed and your baby seems unable to resettle themselves, it signals that they might need your attention. Consider potential physical discomforts. They could be feeling too hot or too cold in their sleep environment. They might be hungry and require a feeding, or their diaper might be wet or soiled and need changing.
As you spend more time with your baby and observe their cues, you will become more adept at understanding the reasons behind their cries. Parenting is indeed a continuous learning process. Regardless of the cause, when you do need to respond, strive to keep your interactions calm and minimally disruptive. Maintain a peaceful and quiet atmosphere to reinforce the association of nighttime with sleep.
In most instances, occasional crying during sleep is a normal and harmless occurrence. However, if you are concerned about persistent crying, prolonged crying episodes, or if the crying sounds unusual or distressed, it’s always wise to consult with your pediatrician or a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice and rule out any underlying medical reasons for your baby’s nighttime cries.
This page was last reviewed in November 2021
Further Resources
For additional support and information, consider exploring these resources:
- NCT Helpline: Offers practical and emotional support for parents regarding baby feeding and general inquiries. Contact them at 0300 330 0700.
- NCT New Baby Groups: Provides a platform to discuss parenting challenges and learn different approaches with other new parents and a qualified leader.
- Local NCT Activities: Connect with other parents in your area for friendship and support through local NCT events.
- Coping with Crying Film: A visual resource offering strategies for managing baby crying.
- The Purple Crying Website: In-depth information about the period of increased crying in early infancy.
- Understanding Childhood Resources: Developed by child psychotherapists, offering online resources and downloadable leaflets, including one specifically on crying.
- NHS Website: Provides useful information on soothing a crying baby.
- NSPCC Helpline: Offers help and support to parents and families in need.
- The Lullaby Trust: Provides extensive information and support on safe sleep practices for babies.
References
Barry ES. (2021) What is “normal” infant sleep? Why we still do not know. Psychol Rep. 124(2):651-692.
Baby Sleep Info Source (BASIS). (2018) Normal infant sleep. Available at: http://basis.webspace.durham.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2021/04/210322-Basis-Normal-Infant-Sleep.pdf [accessed 7th November 2021].
Leigh B. (2016) Six states of alertness for newborns. Available at:https://www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au/states-of-alertness/ [accessed 7th November 2021].
Rijt H, Plooij F. (2017) The Wonder Weeks. Kitty World Publishing, The Netherlands, Arnhem.
