The information provided in this article is intended for healthy, full-term infants. It is important to seek advice from healthcare professionals if you have any concerns about your child’s well-being.
It can be distressing when babies cry, whimper, or appear to be crying with closed eyes during sleep. While this behavior is generally normal and harmless, there are common reasons for it that parents should be aware of.
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Some babies may cry at night or during sleep with their eyes closed, giving the appearance of being asleep.
While some babies may whimper or cry while asleep and then return to peaceful sleep, others may cry loudly or even scream while still in a sleep state.
Although this behavior is uncommon, it is not necessarily cause for concern. But what exactly causes it?
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During quiet sleep, babies are calm, quiet, and exhibit regular breathing patterns.
In active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep in adults, babies may twitch, grimace, mumble, or cry without fully waking up.
It is common for parents to mistake active sleep for wakefulness.
During the first few months of life, babies spend more time in active sleep, which is important for brain development and growth.
Babies may transition between quiet and active sleep multiple times throughout the night.
Understanding your baby’s sleep patterns can help parents provide the best care and support for their little ones.
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Infants have shorter sleep cycles compared to adults.
Waking briefly between these cycles is a protective mechanism to ensure safety.
It is common for babies to cry during transitions between different sleep stages.
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Restless sleep and crying may result from overstimulation or being overly tired.
Utilizing tools like Napper to monitor nap times can help prevent the baby from becoming overtired.
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Sensations of discomfort, such as a wet diaper, can lead to a baby crying during sleep.
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While more frequent in preschool-aged children, night terrors can also occur in babies.
Night terrors involve the child partially waking up, experiencing panic, and being unresponsive.
It is advisable to help the child return to sleep in such instances.
Some ways to help a child experiencing night terrors include creating a calming bedtime routine, ensuring the child gets enough sleep, and minimizing any potential triggers before bedtime.
Additionally, it may be helpful to gently soothe the child back to sleep by speaking softly and providing reassurance.
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Trust your instincts when comforting a crying baby who is still asleep.
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There is ongoing debate about whether newborns dream, but slightly older babies in REM sleep may experience dreams.
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Sudden cries can occur, but it is important to check for possible sources of discomfort.
It is believed that babies spend a significant amount of time in the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, which is when dreaming often occurs. During this stage, their brains are highly active, processing and organizing information. While it is not definitively proven that newborns dream, older babies have been observed to show signs of dreaming during REM sleep.
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While occasional crying during sleep is normal, excessive crying may necessitate medical attention.
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Babies may cry during active sleep, between sleep cycles, when overtired, or when uncomfortable.
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Babies might cry during active sleep, between cycles, or due to discomfort.
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Crying can be reflexive or due to overstimulation, being overtired, or discomfort.
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Fussiness in babies can manifest as crying, irritability, and restlessness.
The causes of fussiness may change as babies grow older.
Fussy behavior can be a way for babies to express emotions or react to their surroundings.
It is important for parents to pay attention to their baby’s cues and try to understand the reasons behind their fussiness. Common reasons for fussiness in babies include hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or overstimulation. By addressing these needs promptly, parents can help their baby feel more comfortable and content.
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- Newborns: Rapid growth, frequent feeding, night fussiness, learn hunger cues
- Gas: Burp after feeding, alleviate discomfort, night fussiness may be due to gas
- Moro Reflex: Involuntary limb movements, crying in sleep, swaddling can help manage
- Older Babies: Nights may be more challenging, common causes include hunger, diaper changes, temperature issues, being overtired, teething, fever
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It is normal for babies to be more fussy at night, with reasons including hunger, diaper changes, temperature, being overtired, teething, and fever.
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Factors such as separation anxiety, sleep regressions, babies being noisy sleepers, suggest waiting before checking on a crying baby at night.
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Toddlers may cry at night for various reasons, such as nightmares or night terrors.
Additional Information:
It is important to establish a bedtime routine for babies and toddlers to help them feel secure and comfortable at night. This can include activities such as reading a bedtime story, singing a lullaby, or giving them a gentle massage before bed.
Creating a calming sleep environment with a consistent bedtime and a dark, quiet room can also help babies and toddlers sleep better through the night.
If crying at night persists or if you are concerned about your child’s sleep patterns, it is recommended to consult with a pediatrician or a sleep specialist for further guidance.
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For soothing a fussy infant at night, options include night feedings, swaddling, pacifiers, white noise machines, offering reassurance, gentle rocking, and calming walks or car rides.
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Common causes of toddlers crying at night are night terrors or nightmares.
If your toddler wakes up crying from a nightmare, gently reassure them from a distance or provide comfort through cuddling.
If dealing with a night terror, remain with the child until it passes without waking them up.
To establish good sleep habits in toddlers, try different methods if they frequently wake up crying at night.
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By around 4 months of age, babies may begin sleeping for longer periods at night and could cry occasionally to communicate their needs.
Assist your baby in learning self-soothing techniques and falling asleep independently for better quality sleep.
If additional support is needed, consider using the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ app to assist your baby in returning to sleep at night.
If your baby is over 4 months old and weighs more than 12 pounds, consult your pediatrician regarding sleep training.
Remember, every baby is unique and may have different sleep patterns. It’s important to establish a bedtime routine and create a calm and soothing environment to promote better sleep.
Avoid using screens or stimulating activities close to bedtime, as these can interfere with your baby’s ability to fall asleep. Instead, try reading a book or singing a lullaby to help your baby relax and drift off to sleep.
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If your baby continues crying at night despite efforts, consult your pediatrician to rule out underlying issues or seek medical care.
If your baby displays signs of illness along with persistent night crying, seek medical attention promptly.
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A fussy baby at night can be challenging, but maintaining patience and calmness while soothing them is essential.
If attempts to soothe a fussy baby are unsuccessful, take a brief sleep quiz for personalized guidance.
Remember, the fussy baby phase is temporary, so it’s important to help them develop good sleep habits for the future.