Why Do Babies Cry in Their Sleep? When to Worry or Relax

Babies often cry in their sleep due to hunger. Newborns have small stomachs and require frequent feeding, typically every 2-3 hours, regardless of whether it's day or night. Their sleep patterns do not initially distinguish between daytime and nighttime, leading to frequent nighttime awakenings for feeding.

As babies grow, they begin to sleep longer and the intervals between nighttime feedings gradually increase, usually around 3 months of age. Crying is a primary way for infants to communicate their needs, including hunger, so nighttime crying can often be a signal that they need to be fed.

Teething is a common reason babies cry in their sleep, typically beginning around 6 months of age, though it can start earlier or later. The process of teeth emerging through the gums is painful and distressing, often causing discomfort and sometimes a mild fever, which can disrupt sleep.

Babies may wake up crying due to this pain. To soothe a teething baby, parents can offer a teething ring, use children's pain relief medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen, or gently rub the baby's gums with a clean finger.

Reflux, or regurgitation, occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, causing discomfort or pain for the baby. This condition often leads to crying, especially after feeds, as the acidic stomach contents can irritate the esophagus and cause a burning sensation.

Reflux may also be accompanied by frequent hiccups and spitting up, further disturbing the baby's sleep. The discomfort and potential pain from reflux can cause babies to wake up crying, making it a common reason for nighttime distress in infants.

Trapped wind can cause babies to cry in their sleep due to the discomfort and pain it generates. When babies swallow air during feeding, it can become trapped in their stomachs, leading to bloating and a feeling of fullness.

This trapped air can cause pressure and pain, making it difficult for babies to settle and stay asleep. The discomfort from trapped wind often leads to restlessness and crying as the baby tries to release the air. This issue is particularly common in newborns and young infants who are still learning to feed effectively.

Colic may be the reason behind your baby’s nighttime crying if they are generally healthy but cry for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week. Affecting up to 1 in 5 babies, colic's cause is unclear but is likely due to bowel cramping or other tummy discomfort.

This persistent crying can be distressing for parents, but colic typically resolves on its own by the time a baby is around 3 to 4 months old. Although colic is usually nothing to worry about, consulting your GP or health visitor can provide reassurance and advice.

Constipation can cause babies to cry during sleep due to discomfort and pain associated with hard, dry stools. This is more common in formula-fed babies. Signs of constipation include crying, irritability, or pain before a bowel movement, pellet-like stools, bad-smelling gas, and a hard tummy.

The discomfort from trying to pass these stools can wake babies from sleep, causing them to cry. Ensuring the correct formula-to-water ratio can help prevent constipation. If you suspect constipation is the cause of your baby's distress, consult your health visitor or GP for advice and appropriate treatment.

If your baby is ill, they may cry more than usual due to discomfort or pain from an infection or other health issues. Symptoms like fever can indicate illness, causing additional distress and nighttime waking.

Illnesses can make babies feel uncomfortable, irritable, and unable to sleep soundly, leading to increased crying during sleep. This crying is often a way for babies to communicate their discomfort and need for attention.

Your baby may cry due to various pains or discomforts. Drinking milk too quickly or in large amounts can cause discomfort, so ensure the bottle’s teat hole isn't too large and don't force-feed them. An uncomfortable breastfeeding position can also cause distress; adjusting their position might help.

Additionally, babies may cry if they are too hot or too cold. Ensure their clothes are not too tight and appropriate for the temperature, particularly if conditions have changed since you dressed them.

A dirty diaper can be a reason for a baby to cry while sleeping. Some babies are highly sensitive to the discomfort caused by a wet or soiled diaper, which can disrupt their sleep and cause them to cry. Checking the diaper with a quick peek or a sniff test can help determine if it needs changing.

Using diapers with wetness indicators can also be useful, as they change color when wet, allowing for easy monitoring without undressing the baby. Addressing diaper discomfort promptly can help ensure the baby sleeps more soundly and reduces nighttime crying.

Tummy troubles, such as gas, can cause a baby to cry while sleeping. Signs include wriggling, arching their back, or pumping their legs. Gas can create discomfort and pain, disrupting sleep. To help relieve this, holding the baby on their left side can aid digestion.

Additionally, bicycling their legs and gently pushing them up to the chest can help expel gas. These methods can soothe the baby's discomfort, allowing them to sleep more peacefully and reducing nighttime crying due to tummy troubles. Addressing gas promptly can improve sleep quality for both the baby and the parents.

Babies often cry due to a need for attention, especially during rapid development stages. They thrive on being held, rocked, and engaged with, feeling happiest and most content when close to their caregivers. Crying can signal loneliness and a desire for comfort and connection.

Providing empathic and prompt attention helps soothe them, teaching their systems to remain calm rather than agitated. Spending quiet alert time on a playmat is beneficial, but consistent physical and emotional presence is crucial for their well-being. Meeting these needs fosters a sense of security and can reduce crying episodes, promoting a calmer baby.

Overstimulation can cause a baby to cry, as their developing senses can easily become overwhelmed by too much activity, such as being passed around at a family gathering or going to busy places like the grocery store. When a baby seems overstimulated, it’s beneficial to take them to a calm, familiar environment to relax.

A walk in a quiet area can also help soothe them. While it’s important to avoid excessive sensory overload, moderate stimulation, especially one-on-one interactions with a loved one, is beneficial for their development. Balancing stimulation with periods of calm can help keep the baby comfortable and reduce crying.

When a parent hears their child cries, their initial reaction is to comfort them and put them to sleep again. But because of various reasons sleep causes babies to be restless sleepers, try to suppress that need and watch to see whether your baby calms on their own.

Your baby may be crying because they need a change or because they are hungry, hot, or cold. If all of these have been examined and your child is still crying, you could:

Change Your Baby’s Position

Babies might move in their sleep and end up in an uncomfortable position. Gently repositioning them can help. Place the baby in the middle of the crib on their back, ensuring a flat, firm mattress.

This can provide a more comfortable and secure feeling, helping them settle back to sleep.

Make a Shush Sound

Making a shushing sound mimics the constant noise babies hear in the womb, which can be very calming. Hold the baby close and make a steady shushing sound directly into their ear.

The sound should be louder than the baby’s cries but not harsh. This familiar noise can help soothe the baby and remind them of the womb’s environment.

Use a Swaddle

Swaddling can mimic the snug environment of the womb, providing comfort and security. To swaddle, lay a blanket flat with one corner folded down. Place the baby on their back with their head above the folded corner.

Wrap one side of the blanket over the body, tucking it beneath them. Bring the bottom corner up over their feet, and wrap the other side around, securing it. Ensure the swaddle is snug but not too tight, allowing for hip movement.

Swing the Baby

Gently swinging or jiggling the baby can mimic the movements they experienced in the womb. Hold the baby securely, supporting their head and neck, and use smooth, rhythmic motions. This can be soothing and help them relax. Devices like baby swings or rocking chairs can also be used, but always follow safety guidelines.

Tummy Rubs and a Soothing Tone

If the baby is in the crib, gently rub their tummy and speak in a calm, soothing voice. This physical touch, combined with your comforting voice, can reassure and calm the baby without picking them up. The gentle pressure and warmth from your hand can help ease discomfort and promote relaxation.

Certain things are out of your control and may cause excessive crying such as colic, acid reflux, a milk allergy, or an infection. If you have exhausted all efforts to try and console your baby yet they continue to cry for an extended period, it is best to contact your doctor. You may need to consider heading to the hospital if your baby:

• Has a high temperature.
• Is vomiting.
• Has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly.
• Has a reddish rash which could be a sign of meningitis.
• If the baby is inconsolable and cannot be comforted.
• If there's a sudden and drastic change in the baby's sleep patterns or behavior.

However, as a parent, you can relax when the baby is crying for a short period of time, lasting only a few minutes before the baby goes back to sleep, which is usually not a concern. If the baby is feeding well, has regular diaper changes, and appears content and healthy during the day, occasional nighttime crying is generally normal. 

Additionally, if there are no signs of illness such as fever, rash, or difficulty breathing, the crying is likely due to typical sleep disturbances. These factors suggest that the baby's needs are being met, and the crying episodes are a normal part of their development and adjustment to their environment.

Babies' sleep patterns evolve significantly as they grow, reflecting their developmental needs. Initially, their sleep is fragmented, with frequent waking for feeding and comfort. Over time, sleep consolidates into longer stretches, and regular patterns emerge. Let's look at the sleeping pattern of newborns given below:

1. Newborns (0–1 month): Newborns sleep 14-17 hours daily, but their sleep is fragmented into short bursts of 2-4 hours. They wake frequently for feeding and have no clear distinction between day and night.

2. Older Newborns (1–3 months): Sleep duration is 14-16 hours per day. As they grow, they start to sleep for longer stretches at night and begin to show a difference between day and night. They are more awake and alert during the day.

3. Infants (3-7 months): Sleep duration decreases to 12-15 hours daily. Babies start to consolidate their sleep with longer nighttime periods (6-8 hours) and 2-3 daytime naps. A more consistent sleep routine develops.

4. Infants (7-12 months): Sleep duration remains at 12-14 hours per day. By 9 months, many babies sleep through the night. Around one year, some may transition to a single nap, while others may still need two naps until they are older.

5. Toddlers (12 months and older): Toddlers sleep 12-14 hours daily. By 18 months, most move to a single nap each day. Sleep patterns can occasionally change due to routine disruptions, illness, or developmental milestones, potentially leading to more crying or variations in sleep habits.