Crying, whimpering or groaning in sleep is very common, and much of the time your baby isn't actually awake. Newborns spend about half their sleep in light, active sleep, when they can look restless and make all sorts of noises. Older babies and toddlers stir and sometimes cry out as they move between sleep cycles. A brief pause to look and listen often shows whether your baby is drifting back off or really needs you. Hunger, teething, illness and, in toddlers, night terrors and nightmares are the other usual reasons. A weak, high-pitched or continuous cry is different and needs urgent help.
Why does my baby cry in their sleep?
The reason depends a lot on age.
| Age | Common reasons for crying in sleep |
|---|---|
| Newborn | Active sleep noises; hunger; wind or discomfort |
| 2–12 months | Stirring between sleep cycles; hunger; teething; illness |
| Toddlers | Stirring between cycles; teething; illness; nightmares or night terrors |
| Any age | Too hot or too cold; a wet or dirty diaper; pain or illness |
Short sleep cycles explain a lot. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne's review of infant sleep says an infant's sleep cycle lasts 20 to 50 minutes, compared with around 90 minutes for an adult, and that frequent night waking is a normal part of infant sleep. So there are many more moments in the night when a baby surfaces into light sleep and may grizzle or cry out.
Is crying in active sleep normal for newborns?
Yes. The AAP's guide to newborn sleep stages says a newborn's sleep is about equally divided between active (REM) sleep and quiet sleep. In active sleep, babies may twitch or jerk their arms and legs, their eyes move under closed lids, and their breathing can be irregular.
The AAP's newborn behavior guide adds that during light sleep babies can normally whimper, cry, groan or make other strange noises. The RCH review describes babies in active sleep as looking restless and groaning, sometimes opening their eyes and even waking fully. It notes that parents sometimes mistake grimacing, smiling, sucking, twists and jerks for disturbed sleep, when these are normal signs of active sleep.
By about 3 years old, the RCH says, only around a third of sleep is active, so these noisy patches become less frequent as your child grows. For other normal night noises, see baby sleep sounds.
Why do older babies cry out between sleep cycles?
As babies get older, their sleep becomes more organised. The AAP's advice on getting your baby to sleep says babies don't have regular sleep cycles until about 4 months. After that, many babies briefly wake or cry out at the end of a cycle before linking into the next one.
The AAP says it's normal for a 6-month-old to wake during the night and go back to sleep after a few minutes, and that babies need time to put themselves back to sleep. It also notes that babies who are held or rocked all the way to sleep may find it harder to drift off again when they wake in the night. The RCH review says separation anxiety in older babies can also make night waking more frequent. See night wakings for the bigger picture.
Should I go to my baby straight away or pause first?
A short pause usually helps you respond to what your baby actually needs. The AAP's advice is not to rush in to soothe a crying baby, while still responding for feeds, a dirty diaper or comfort when they're sick.
- Pause and listen. Look at your baby, from the doorway or your bed if they're in your room. Are their eyes closed? Is the crying a short grizzle that fades, or is it building?
- Check the basics if it doesn't settle. Is it time for a feed? Too hot or cold? A soaked or dirty diaper?
- Go in calmly if the crying builds. Start with the least help that works, such as a hand on the chest, shushing or a quiet voice, and keep the room dim. Responsive settling explains how to build up from there.
- Feed if they're hungry. Newborns wake every couple of hours to feed because their stomachs can't hold enough to last long, as KidsHealth explains. Keep night feeds quiet and calm.
- Go straight in if the cry sounds unusual, your baby seems unwell, or something about it doesn't feel right to you.
Whenever you resettle your baby, put them back on their back in their own crib or bassinet, with nothing soft or loose around them. See safe sleep.
If you're thinking about a more structured approach to night waking with an older baby, check and console and gradual retreat describe two common methods.
Could my baby be hungry, teething or unwell?
Hunger. Young babies need feeding through the night, and in many babies a hungry cry builds rather than fading. Earlier hunger cues often come before the crying; see hunger cues.
Teething. The NHS teething guide lists poorer sleep and being more fretful than usual among teething signs, along with sore, red gums, a flushed cheek, extra dribbling and a slightly raised temperature of less than 38°C. Most babies start teething around 6 months. The NHS says teething doesn't cause diarrhea, and a temperature of 38°C or more is not a teething sign. See teething for safe ways to soothe sore gums, and ask a pharmacist about pain relief rather than guessing a dose.
Illness. A cold, an ear infection or a fever can all disturb sleep. The NHS ear infection page says babies and young children with an ear infection may rub or pull their ear, be irritable or restless, or be off their food, and that a doctor should see any child under 12 months you think has one. A blocked nose makes it hard to feed and sleep; see colds and congestion.
Too hot or cold. Feel your baby's chest, back of the neck or tummy rather than their hands. See baby room temperature.
Wind or colic. In the early months, evening crying is common. The NHS colic page says colicky babies may cry more in the afternoon and evening. See baby gas at night.
Is it a night terror or a nightmare?
These come up in toddlers and older children rather than young babies. The NHS page on night terrors and nightmares says night terrors are most common between the ages of 3 and 8, so they're less common in children under 3.
| Night terror | Nightmare | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Early in the night | Later in the night |
| Awake? | No, though eyes may be open | Yes, wakes up frightened |
| Remembers it? | Rarely | Often |
| What helps | Stay calm, keep them safe, don't wake them | Comfort and reassurance |
The NHS says a night terror can last up to 15 minutes and may involve screaming, shouting or thrashing. Don't try to wake your child, as they may not recognize you and could become more upset. The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network adds that a child may sit up suddenly, sweat heavily and seem not to know who you are, and lists overtiredness, an irregular routine and fever as triggers. For nightmares, its nightmares page suggests reminding your child they're safe and staying until they feel calm. Night terrors and nightmares covers both in depth.
What's worth noting down?
If night crying is frequent, a few nights of notes can show a pattern: the time it happens, how long after falling asleep, how long it lasts, whether your baby was awake, what helped, and any fever, teething signs or feeding changes. A short audio or video clip of an unusual cry is useful to show your doctor or pediatrician.
When to get help
These signs come from the NHS list of when to get urgent help and its colic page. Also call 911 if your baby is under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or 3 to 6 months with 39°C (102.2°F) or higher, has a rash that doesn't fade when pressed, has a bulging soft spot, or has had no wet diaper or pee for 12 hours.
Get medical help today (same-day doctor, after-hours doctor or your pediatrician's after-hours nurse line) if your baby is crying with signs of being unwell, such as refusing feeds or feeding much less than usual, having fewer wet diapers, vomiting repeatedly, or a fever that has lasted 5 days or more. Get help today too if your baby keeps waking and crying as if in pain and you can't settle them.
Talk to your doctor or pediatrician if you think your baby under 12 months has an ear infection, if night crying goes on for weeks and is wearing you down, or if your toddler's night terrors or nightmares are frequent or getting worse. The NHS suggests seeing a doctor if night terrors start after age 5 or carry on after 12.
If you feel you can't cope, put your baby down safely on their back in their crib and step away for a few minutes. your pediatrician's office can help you plan for the nights. If you ever feel you might harm yourself or your baby, call 988 (call or text) or 911 now.
