My 5 month old son periodically makes stranges sounds when sleeping in the REM stage. His eyes and limbs are moving (which seems typical) but he makes very loud wimpering noises. I doesn't seem like it's a breathing problem (I hope not) but it sounds so pitiful, like he's having a nighmare. I've woken him up a couple times when I've seen the wimpering occur, and he responds with the typical bleary eye and a returns to napping. Is this normal or something I should investiage further with his pediatrian?
Thank you everyone for your insight and experience. I feel much better now about the situation and won't wake him up when he starts wimpering. So far I haven't heard it happening at night, just during his daytime naps. Thanks again. It's good to know there are wonderful mothers out there like you.
Hi M.,
This is normal. If he cries out for you, then go to him. Otherwise, pay attention but don't worry.
Good luck. Hope this helps. D.
I've had some of my kids do that when they are in pain either from and ear infection or just teething. If he is sleeping I would not wake him but if he seems uncomfortable when awake you might investigate with your dr. for ear infection or just teeth. They can feel teeth coming for a while before you can see them
I think it is quite natural. I am a mom of four an remember exactly what you are talking about. You are like staring at them while they sleep and you can see there eyes roll around and the whimper noises kick in and you are standin there thinking how can my baby be having a dream that makes it sound like he's scared. I did the same thing in picking them up and just holding them and saying it's ok mommy's here. But truly I think it is natural.
Annie R
It sounds like just a bad dream. When my daughter gets them, I just start making some quiet noise/moving around/quiet singing. Nothing to fully wake her up, but usually any noise will bring her out of it enough to stop whimpering but not awake enough to be awake.
M.
When any of my 4 have slept restless I would kiss them on the cheek very gently or cup their face with my hand and they would sigh. It was a relief sigh. After that they were no longer restless. I think even at that age they have little dreams and when they are uncomfortable they make them noises. I think just a touch that is with your smell should ease them.
This is not unusual. Children in the REM sleep may periodically go through the actions of the dreams. In extreme cases, it is called night terrors. The child will wake up screaming but will have no idea why. Though traumatic for Mom, it is absolutely harmless to the child. Waking him up will cause the sleep cycle to restart and won't help his dreaming, so just let him sleep. Also, if he does have night terrors, just comfort him and let him know you are there. DO NOT suggest a reason for the screaming. Many well meaning parents ask their child "is it the monster in the closet or under the bed?" This then suggests to the child a reason for their nightmare, which they do not have. Your baby will be fine, children are really resilient.
Hi M.,
My daughter is 21 months old, and she makes sounds when she is sleeping as well. It's nothing to be alarmed about. At first I thought something was wrong as well, but their brains are VERY active during that relm of sleep. To wake him would not be good, because it distrubs their rest and can pose for a very cranky child. Just as our brains develop and go through many activities during the rest period, theirs is twice as fast. I even noticed my daughter appears to speak more words clearly and seems to cath on to newer things after her naps and nightly rest. I would not be concerned about his sleep unless he is having night terrors, or some biological nocturnal dysfunction.It's just their way of down loading.
Glad you got some good advice. I would just add that I always attributed this to their imature nervous system. I am not sure they dream at that age the same way that we do - I think a lot of the strange sleep behavior is random neurons firing :) Their bodies and brains just work overtime. My first daughter was a loud fitful sleeper, but a great sleeper too, and still, when my four month old was first born, I was convinced she was having seizures with the weird facial ticks she had during her sleep. I think it is normal. As with much, if it doesn't bother him (ie he stays asleep) then he is proabably fine.
