Can Babies Have Nightmares?

Parents often wonder if their baby can have nightmares, especially after hearing a sudden cry in the dark or spotting their little one squirm during sleep. It’s a moment of concern that leaves many asking, “What’s going on in there?” While opinions vary, most experts agree that very young infants don’t experience nightmares quite like older children or adults.

That’s because the parts of the brain that create and process vivid, scary dreams are still under construction in newborns. So even if your baby looks uncomfortable or wakes up distressed, it’s usually not due to a bad dream. Understanding what really causes sleep disruptions—and how to soothe your baby—can help bring peace back to the crib and the rest of the house.

Why Babies Cry at Night

Most experts agree that babies do not actually have nightmares. When infants wake up crying during the night, it’s typically due to physical needs—such as hunger, discomfort, or a wet diaper—rather than fear-driven dreams.

Babies under four years old are still developing the cognitive ability to understand what might be frightening. Since nightmares involve specific fears or anxieties, very young children simply don’t have the awareness or mental development required to experience such dreams.

Signs a Baby Might Be Having Disturbed Sleep

Many parents worry when their baby appears unsettled during sleep, especially if they cry out or move restlessly. These nighttime disruptions are common in infants under one year and often reflect normal developmental patterns rather than emotional distress.

Instead of assuming something is wrong, it helps to observe the baby’s routine and environment. Difficulty settling back to sleep may indicate that the baby hasn’t yet developed self-soothing skills. Checking for changes in sleep habits, body temperature, or general comfort can offer helpful clues.

When Do Babies Begin to Experience Nightmares?

Nightmares often begin to appear in children around age two. At this stage, toddlers grow more imaginative and develop better language skills. As their thinking becomes more creative, they are more likely to have dreams that might be scary or confusing. The increase in fear and new emotions during this time may also lead to more frequent nightmares in early childhood.

Reasons Babies Suddenly Cry While Sleeping

Babies may cry out during sleep for different reasons, and these moments can seem sudden or confusing for parents. One common reason is called confusional arousal, which happens when a baby moves between different stages of sleep. As they shift between deep sleep (non-REM) and lighter stages, babies often make noises like crying, grunting, or groaning even though they might still be asleep.

Babies have much shorter sleep cycles than adults. Each cycle includes periods of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. During these transitions, babies may wake up slightly or seem disoriented. Sometimes, they do not fully wake up but still cry or fuss for a short time. This can be mistaken for night terrors or nightmares, although these are less common in infants.

Babies who have not yet learned to fall asleep on their own may cry when they cannot return to sleep by themselves during a sleep cycle. If a baby is used to feeding, sucking on a pacifier, or being rocked to sleep, they may need help to get back to sleep, making nighttime awakenings seem more intense.

FAQs

How Can Parents Support Better Sleep for Their Baby?

Parents can help babies get better sleep by creating a stable sleeping environment. A regular bedtime routine, such as a bath or story time, signals that sleep time is coming. Keeping the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool also helps the baby relax and sleep longer.

Following a schedule that fits the baby’s age is another key step. Regular nap times and a set bedtime each night help the baby fall asleep easier and stay asleep. Ensuring the baby is not overtired before bedtime aids in longer stretches of rest.

How parents respond when their baby wakes up at night can influence future sleep. Instead of rocking or feeding every time, parents can try gentle reassurance while allowing the baby to learn how to settle back to sleep on their own. Over time, babies can become more independent sleepers with these approaches.

Should You Wake a Baby During a Scary Dream?

If a baby appears upset or cries in sleep, it’s often due to confusional arousal, as discussed earlier, when babies cry during sleep transitions without fully waking. Their eyes may be closed and they won’t respond to comfort right away.

Parents do not need to wake the baby during these moments, as the baby is generally still sleeping and not aware of distress. Waking them can sometimes make it harder for the baby to go back to sleep or even confuse them more.

What Is the Difference Between Nightmares and Night Terrors?

Nightmares and night terrors are two different sleep issues. Nightmares tend to happen during REM sleep, which is a lighter part of the sleep cycle. After a nightmare, a child often wakes up scared and may remember the bad dream.

In contrast, night terrors occur during the deepest stage of sleep, called non-REM or slow-wave sleep. During a night terror, a child may shout, scream, or appear very frightened, but usually does not wake fully or remember it in the morning. Children under seven experience these episodes more frequently, and parents may find them alarming, but the child often settles back into sleep without remembering it.