Has your quiet night ever screeched to a halt with heart-wrenching wails from the cot, only to find your little one still mostly asleep? You’re tiptoeing to check, your nerves tingling, and suddenly… their eyes are shut, but the tears are real. My oldest did this so often that for ages, I wondered if he was actually dreaming or if I was doing something wrong. Spoiler: he was fine, and so was I. So if you’re Googling “baby crying in sleep” at 2 am, you’re definitely not alone.
Why Might a Baby Cry in Their Sleep?
It’s wild how many things could be behind your baby crying in sleep. Here are a few of the most common ones I’ve learned about — and lived through:
1. Light Sleep Cycles Are Totally Normal Babies, especially in their first 0-6 months, spend loads of time in REM (active) sleep. This is when little arms twitch, faces scrunch, and sometimes… the crying starts. They might even let out a yelp and settle again without fully waking. It scared me so much the first few times! According to the Sleep Foundation, these mini wake-ups are a normal part of newborn sleep maturity, and they often resolve themselves as your baby grows (read more about gentle newborn sleep here).
2. Growing Tummies and Hunger A baby’s stomach is tiny in these early months (seriously, the size of a cherry at birth—more on that here). Even after a good feed, those hunger pangs come back quicker than you might expect. Sometimes a sleepy cry is just your baby telling you they need another feed, even if their eyes are still closed.
3. Overtired or Undertired Oh, the delicate sleep balance. If my youngest skips a nap, bedtime usually includes a random sad squeal while he sleeps — almost as if he’s still protesting. On the flip side, if he’s napped for ages and isn’t tired enough, the same thing can happen. It’s an odd, fussy middle ground.
4. Teething or Mild Discomfort Those first tiny teeth can start moving around from as early as about 3 months (even if they don’t poke through for a while), and you can spot some subtle teething signs. Some babies cry in their sleep because of teething pain, wind, or even a wet nappy. You know your baby best — I’ve sometimes found a gentle back rub helps, or just repositioning my little one when I can’t figure out the problem.
5. Dreaming and Startle Reflexes No one can say for sure what a newborn dreams about (probably milk?), but even at this age, they can react to sounds, lights, or even their own startle reflex. That funny thing where their arms flail out, and suddenly there are tears? Completely normal during active sleep periods.
What to Do When Your Baby Is Crying in Their Sleep
The urge to dash in and scoop them up is overwhelming, but sometimes, what helps most is a little patience. Here’s what has actually worked in my house:
- Pause for a moment. Watch and listen — sometimes the cry is over in seconds, and your baby settles back down.
- Check for obvious discomfort. Is the nappy clean? Is the room temperature comfy (around 22°C/72°F is our sweet spot)? Swaddled or not, make sure nothing is bunched up or scratchy.
- Offer gentle touch. Sometimes just resting your hand on their chest or tummy is enough. My eldest always calmed down when he felt my palm.
- Feed if needed. If you suspect hunger, try a quiet, calm feed. Remember, young babies genuinely do need to feed at night for many months.
- Adjust the environment. Low lights, white noise, and a comforter nearby (safe and out of the cot) all help signal sleep.
If you ever feel unsure, you can read more about why nights feel harder for new parents. Honestly, night-time stress hits different!
When Should You Worry?
Most of the time, baby crying in sleep doesn’t mean anything is wrong. But (and there’s always a but!), trust your gut if you notice:
- High, piercing cries that sound different from normal.
- Difficulty breathing, blueish lips, or floppy limbs.
- Persistent crying, even when fully awake and with obvious distress.
Those all need a chat with your GP or health visitor (the NHS has good advice on when to seek help for your baby’s sleep and crying). Trust yourself — I’ve never regretted double-checking with a pro.
Sleep Evolves: It Really Does Get Better
No one warned me that baby sleep is full of false starts and noisy nights. But after two kids, I can genuinely say things shift quickly. The cries in their sleep usually ebb as your baby gets older, their tummy grows, and they settle into more predictable sleep cycles.
If you’re still in the thick of it, hang in there. Grab whatever rest you can, ask for help, and remember: bleary-eyed solidarity is a thing. If you want more info on the wild world of early baby months, my post on what to expect from babies 0-6 months might also come in handy.
The Takeaway on Baby Crying in Sleep
Babies crying in their sleep is incredibly common, usually harmless, and a phase that does pass. Light sleep, hunger, teething, or just weird baby dreams can all be at play. Go with your instincts, don’t be too hard on yourself (or your little one), and reach out for support if you’re ever truly worried.
Now, sending sleepy vibes your way — and may your next night be as peaceful as possible (fingers crossed)!