Has it ever happened to you that you are standing next to your baby’s crib and watching them sleep soundly one moment, only to burst into tears the other? It is not only you, many parents have been there. They wonder why their babies suddenly start crying or whimpering during sleep. Let us look at this riddle of sleep and find out why babies cry when they are asleep which may help shed some light on their enigmatic midnight emotions.
Knowing Sleep Cycles in Babies
First things first, we should understand how infants sleep because unlike grown-ups, children spend more time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep which is a lighter phase of sleep characterized by increased brain activity. Babies can therefore make sounds, smile or cry while sleeping. This does not necessarily mean that they are awake but rather going through different stages of their slumber.
Is It Normal for Babies to Cry in Their Sleep?
Yes, it is completely normal for babies to cry while sleeping. From quiet whimpers to sudden shrieks, these noises form part of their typical sleeping pattern most times calming down without any intervention from parents even needed at all. But if crying persists then it may be necessary to check whether there could be need for changing diapers, being too hot or cold or needing comforting cuddles.
Dreams and Nightmares
What does it mean when toddlers cry during their sleep? Just as adults do so can children have dreams too and sometimes those dreams might cause them to wail or sob. Although no one really knows what toddlers dream about but based on brain activity during REM stage; where most dreaming occurs in humans including adults- we can guess that these experiences could be processed as unsettling events sometimes leading into nightmares.
Physical Reasons: Discomfort and Developmental Leaps
One common reason for crying at night is physical discomfort. Babies may be crying because they are wet, experiencing teething pain or having gas. As babies grow up there comes a time when their sleep gets interrupted due to various physical developments like crawling and walking which can cause more tears as children practice these new skills even in their slumber.
Hunger and Feeding Needs
Among newborns and young infants frequent waking up at night is triggered by hunger thus leading to crying even while asleep. Since a baby’s stomach is small, it requires regular feeds including during the night so if your child cries around feeding time then this might just signal hunger.
Overstimulation
Babies take in a lot from the world around them but sometimes all these new things can be too much for them to handle. If overstimulated throughout the day, it may become difficult for your baby to fall into deep restful sleep thereby causing crying spells at night while his or her brain processes what was learnt during that particular day.
When Should I Be Concerned? Strange Crying
Although occasional crying should not worry you too much persistent or excessively distressing crying could indicate an underlying problem which needs urgent attention. In case there is fever accompanying with baby’s cry or vomiting alongside signs of discomfort when awake then consulting a pediatrician would not hurt.
Ways to Calm Down Sleepy Cries
In case your baby frequently cries in sleep, try to establish a calming bedtime routine for them. This could involve giving them a warm bath, singing soft lullabies or even using a dim night light which will help calm him down. It is also possible to just give them a little pat or whisper gentle words that can reassure without fully waking from sleep.
Looking Forward: Does It Get Better?
Typically as they grow up, babies tend to have more stable sleeping patterns. Most children start sleeping through the night and have less disruptions by their first birthday. The crying will probably lessen with age when they gain more control over emotions and have deeper sleep.
Remember that each child is different so what may work for one might not work for another. Night time crying is just one of those things you deal with when becoming a parent. So be patient and cuddle them often; eventually both you and your baby will figure out how to get some peaceful rest at night together. Keep your spirits high and drink lots of coffee – this stage won’t last forever!