Why Do Babies Cry In Their Sleep?
New Parents are entering into a foreign world. Some parents don’t know much about babies or why babies cry in their sleep. Husbands anxiously look at their wives every time the baby starts making noises. Some parents need reassurance that it’s common for babies to make noise in their sleep.
New parents can take a breath if they are worried that their baby is moving and making noise in their sleep. The baby's sleep noises won’t last forever, so cherish them while you can.
Newborn vs Adult Sleep Cycles
Newborns have much shorter sleep cycles, and they experience sleep phases differently.
As an adult, you have REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. Your NREM sleep is broken into 3 stages, and at the end of stage 3, you enter REM sleep.
On the other hand, newborns enter REM sleep immediately after falling asleep. Afterward, they enter deep NREM sleep.
During their REM sleep, you can see slight body movements and twitching. They make small noises and possibly have short cries. Once, they enter NREM sleep, they will fall deeper into their sleep and be more difficult to wake up.
At about 3 months old, your baby will start to have smaller windows of REM sleep and have their NREM sleep broaden as they develop those stages. Their sleep continues to develop and won’t mirror an adult’s sleep cycle until they are about 5 years old.
Newborns aren’t ready to sleep through the night. As they get older, their bodies will be more capable of sleeping for longer. Once you start to get comfortable, they’ll start hitting their sleep regressions.
The Startle Reflex and Baby Nervous Systems
Your baby has a startle reflex called the Moro Reflex. It is called the startle reflex because that’s exactly what it looks like. They push their arms out a little and flex with a startled look. Your baby’s doctor will make sure they have the Moro Reflex to check on their nervous system.
That startle reflex can also cause a baby to wake up and cry a little. Keeping your baby swaddled with their arms tucked in will help prevent the Moro Reflex from triggering. A Woombie swaddle will make swaddling your baby much easier.
Reasons Your Baby Might Be Crying In Their Sleep
If your baby is crying in their sleep enough to wake up, there are a few possible causes to consider. Be patient with your crying baby. They have no other way to tell you that they need something. They are entirely reliant on you right now.
They Are Hungry
For first-time parents, it feels like newborns never stop eating. They have tiny stomachs. There’s only so much they can take in at a time.
Having a newborn is a team effort. Dad should also try to feed the baby at night with what Mom has already pumped. Everyone is exhausted, and everyone needs to do their part.
Sometimes you can try dream-feeding the baby when you know it’s time to eat, but they are still sleeping. Some babies will eat better from a dream feed. They won’t be distracted by anything. Their body knows what to do and will reflexively start eating.
Don’t forget to burp the baby after a dream feed. The pressure from any air that they accidentally took in will cause them pain and wake them up.
They Aren’t Comfortable
Make sure it’s not too hot or cold in their room. Newborns should be swaddled to stay comfortable. It simulates the womb, and that familiarity makes them happy.
Your baby might need a new diaper. No one wants to sleep with something wet strapped to them.
They Need a Soothing Suck
An issue women might run into when breastfeeding is being treated like a pacifier. Babies are still learning how to self-soothe. Sucking on a pacifier brings them comfort and helps them calm down.
A baby monitor can help see that your baby has lost their pacifier while sleeping. Until they are a little bit older, you’ll need to help them get it back.
Not every parent wants to give their baby a pacifier. They can be stubborn when you are trying to get rid of it for good. Deciding whether or not to let your baby use a pacifier is between you and your partner.
Conclusion
Babies cry. Parents stress themselves out trying to figure out why. A baby crying a little might be in their REM sleep cycle. Babies don’t have any way to communicate other than crying. So if they are hungry, uncomfortable, or need to be comforted, their only option is to cry.
