Newborns Waking Scared: What's Normal And What's Not?

It is normal for newborns to wake up crying or screaming, and there are many reasons why this might happen. Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 17 hours a day, waking up every few hours to be fed, as their tiny stomachs cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long. They also do not know the difference between day and night and have not yet established sleep-wake rhythms. Newborns may also wake up crying due to gas, teething, illness, separation anxiety, nightmares, or night terrors.

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night, so they wake up frequently to feed

It is normal for newborns to wake up frequently, and there are many reasons why this might happen. Newborns don't know the difference between day and night, so they wake up frequently to feed. They have tiny stomachs that need to be fed every 2-4 hours, and they sleep in short bursts or cycles, usually around 20-50 minutes long. This means they need to be fed often, and they will wake up at night to eat. Breastfed babies tend to feed more frequently than bottle-fed babies, but both types of feeding are normal and healthy for newborns.

Newborns should get 12-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. In the first few weeks, it may help to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and resisting the urge to play or talk to your baby will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.

It is important to create a safe sleep environment for your newborn. Always place your baby on their back to sleep and use a firm, flat sleep surface with a snugly fitting sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and avoid overheating by dressing your baby for the room temperature.

Newborns also wake frequently due to their active sleep cycles. During active sleep, they may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep. You can help your newborn settle by putting them in their cot when they are tired but still awake and using a gentle, positive, and consistent routine, such as feed, play, sleep.

It is normal for newborns to cry a lot, and it is their main way of communicating. They may cry because they need to be fed, changed, or settled, and sometimes there may be no clear reason for their crying. If you are worried about your newborn's crying, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional.

Nightmares or night terrors can cause babies to wake up crying

It is common for newborns and young babies to make noises during sleep, including crying. This is because their bodies have not yet mastered the challenges of a regular sleep cycle, so it is normal for them to wake frequently or make strange sounds in their sleep. Crying is also their main form of communication.

As babies develop more ways to express themselves, crying while asleep may be a sign that they are having a nightmare or night terror. Toddlers and older babies who cry while asleep, especially while moving in bed or making other sounds, may be having night terrors.

Nightmares

Nightmares occur during light sleep, or random eye movement sleep. They tend to happen in the second half of the night when the baby is sleeping lightly and dreaming. If a baby wakes up after a nightmare, comfort them and follow a soothing sleep ritual to get them back to sleep. Older babies and toddlers may need reassurance that the nightmare was not real.

Night Terrors

Night terrors, on the other hand, occur when a child becomes very agitated during the deeper phases of sleep. Children are more likely to cry from night terrors early in the night. They are relatively rare and usually occur in children aged between 4 and 12 years old, though they have been reported in babies as young as 18 months old.

During night terrors, children might look like they are awake and in a panic. Their eyes may be open, they may be crying, and they may be confused or dazed. They might even sit up or get out of bed and run around. However, they are still asleep and won't respond to attempts to comfort them.

Night terrors can be very upsetting for parents, who may feel helpless when they can't comfort their child. But they are not harmful, and children will probably not remember them in the morning.

If your child is having a night terror, the best thing to do is to sit quietly near them and make sure they don't get hurt. Wait patiently until they go back to sleep, which usually happens within a few minutes. Do not try to wake them, as this will only confuse and upset them.

Causes of Night Terrors

The daily life of a baby is full of stimulation, and because their central nervous system is still developing, all of that stimulation can cause it to become overstimulated, which may contribute to night terrors.

Other things that can increase the risk of night terrors include:

• Lack of good-quality sleep
• Illness
• Certain medications
• New sleep surroundings
• Family history of night terrors or sleepwalking

Hunger is a common reason for newborns to wake up

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and don't have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep around the clock and wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. At around 3 months of age, they may start to learn the difference between day and night.

You can help your newborn sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night. It's important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.

It's also important to note that newborns follow their own schedule and it may take a few weeks for their brains to know the difference between night and day. Each baby has a different sleep pattern, and some start to sleep through the night (for 5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months of age, while others don't.

Teething can cause newborns to wake up crying

It is normal for newborns to wake up crying hysterically, and there are many reasons why this might happen. One of the most common reasons is teething.

Some key signs that your baby is teething include red and swollen gums, red flushed cheeks, and a slight increase in temperature (under 100.4°F/38°C). You may also notice your baby chewing on their hands, toys, or books, or even your nipples!

• Give them a gum massage with your clean fingers dipped in cool water.
• Offer teething toys or teethers made from firm rubber or silicone. Avoid teething jewellery as this can pose a choking hazard.
• Try a wet washcloth that has been chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• For older babies, offer frozen foods like bananas or bagels, but always monitor closely.
• You can also try pain medication like Tylenol, but always check with your doctor first.

Remember, teething is a normal part of your baby's development, and it will pass! In the meantime, these tips can help make the process more manageable for both you and your little one.

Illness can cause newborns to wake up crying

• Fever
• Stomach ache
• Congestion
• Mood changes
• Changes in appetite
• Fussiness

If your baby is showing any of these signs, it is important to take them to a doctor to get checked out. Newborns have a weaker immune system and are more susceptible to illnesses, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.

In addition to illness, there are several other reasons why newborns may wake up crying:

• Hunger: Newborns have small stomachs and need to eat frequently, so they may wake up crying if they are hungry.
• Gas: A gassy tummy can cause discomfort and pain, leading to crying.
• Teething: The pain and itching sensation in the mouth from teething can cause newborns to wake up crying.
• Uncomfortable environment: A too-hot or too-cold room, a wet diaper, or a soiled crib sheet can make it difficult for your baby to sleep.
• Sleep regression: Changes in routine or developmental leaps can disrupt your baby's sleep.
• Separation anxiety: Around 9 months old, babies may become more clingy and prefer their caregiver over others, leading to crying when they wake up and realize their caregiver is not there.

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