Sleeping like a baby — what's normal?
A sleeping baby can be a heartwarmingly peaceful sight. But babies' sleep isn't always peaceful. Babies frequently moan, groan, whimper, and kick in their sleep — all of which can be disconcerting to new parents.
You may have observed that your baby's breathing occasionally pauses when he's asleep. He might suddenly jerk awake. He may even grind his little teeth, rock back and forth, or bang his head against the side of his crib.
These behaviors are common and usually no cause for concern, but knowing a bit more about babies' normal sleep behaviors — and what to do when something is wrong — should help reassure you.
You may have observed that your baby's breathing occasionally pauses when he's asleep. He might suddenly jerk awake. He may even grind his little teeth, rock back and forth, or bang his head against the side of his crib.
These behaviors are common and usually no cause for concern, but knowing a bit more about babies' normal sleep behaviors — and what to do when something is wrong — should help reassure you.
Breathing pauses
You may notice that the rhythm of your baby's breathing changes as he sleeps. He might breathe more rapidly for a while, then more slowly, and then pause for up to 15 seconds before resuming his normal breathing pattern.
Try not to worry. Doctors call this "periodic breathing," and it's common in babies until about 6 months of age. (If your baby's older than 6 months and still breathes this way, talk with his doctor about it.)
Your infant's breathing may follow this pattern up to 5 percent of the time when he's asleep, says Gary E. Freed, professor of pediatrics and director of the SIDS/Apnea Program at Emory University School of Medicine. If your baby was born prematurely, he may breathe this way as much as 10 percent of his time asleep.
It's not unusual for a baby's hands and feet and the skin around his mouth to be bluish. But if your baby's forehead or the trunk of his body turns blue, he may be having trouble getting enough oxygen.
Try not to worry. Doctors call this "periodic breathing," and it's common in babies until about 6 months of age. (If your baby's older than 6 months and still breathes this way, talk with his doctor about it.)
Your infant's breathing may follow this pattern up to 5 percent of the time when he's asleep, says Gary E. Freed, professor of pediatrics and director of the SIDS/Apnea Program at Emory University School of Medicine. If your baby was born prematurely, he may breathe this way as much as 10 percent of his time asleep.
It's not unusual for a baby's hands and feet and the skin around his mouth to be bluish. But if your baby's forehead or the trunk of his body turns blue, he may be having trouble getting enough oxygen.
If you're concerned that your baby has stopped breathing, simply touch or nudge him gently to see whether he responds. If he doesn't, he may be experiencing an episode of apnea, and it's important that you respond immediately.
If your baby has stopped breathing and someone else is with you, start administering infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) right away and have the other person call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you're alone with your baby, administer CPR for two minutes, then call for help. Resume CPR until help arrives or your baby starts breathing again.
In most cases, babies' irregular breathing habits are nothing to worry about. But babies who have had more than one "apparent life-threatening event" (ALTE) are at increased risk for long-term complications or sudden unexpected death. An ALTE is an episode in which a baby stops breathing and may become limp, turn blue, choke, or gag.
If you're at all concerned about your baby's breathing patterns, talk with his doctor.
If your baby has stopped breathing and someone else is with you, start administering infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) right away and have the other person call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you're alone with your baby, administer CPR for two minutes, then call for help. Resume CPR until help arrives or your baby starts breathing again.
In most cases, babies' irregular breathing habits are nothing to worry about. But babies who have had more than one "apparent life-threatening event" (ALTE) are at increased risk for long-term complications or sudden unexpected death. An ALTE is an episode in which a baby stops breathing and may become limp, turn blue, choke, or gag.
If you're at all concerned about your baby's breathing patterns, talk with his doctor.
Snoring and snorting
If your baby occasionally snores or makes snorting sounds while he's sleeping, it's probably nothing to worry about, especially if his snores have a steady rhythm. Many babies snore when they have a stuffy nose. If your baby has a cold, try a vaporizer or humidifier to make breathing more comfortable.
Persistent snoring can sometimes indicate a problem. If your baby's snoring is intermittent (with pauses) and followed by gasps, there may be some kind of a blockage in his airway — from his tonsils or adenoids, for example. This is known as "obstructive sleep apnea," and it's a chronic condition, unlike the apnea episodes mentioned above.
Your baby's doctor can check for problems and may refer you to a specialist — an ear, nose, and throat doctor or a sleep specialist — to make sure that everything's fine.
Some babies snore because of allergies. For these babies, an air purifier, a pet-free bedroom, or medication may prove helpful. Your baby's doctor can help you determine whether your baby has allergies and what to do about them.
Persistent snoring can sometimes indicate a problem. If your baby's snoring is intermittent (with pauses) and followed by gasps, there may be some kind of a blockage in his airway — from his tonsils or adenoids, for example. This is known as "obstructive sleep apnea," and it's a chronic condition, unlike the apnea episodes mentioned above.
Your baby's doctor can check for problems and may refer you to a specialist — an ear, nose, and throat doctor or a sleep specialist — to make sure that everything's fine.
Some babies snore because of allergies. For these babies, an air purifier, a pet-free bedroom, or medication may prove helpful. Your baby's doctor can help you determine whether your baby has allergies and what to do about them.
Sweating
Some babies sweat profusely during the deepest part of their nightly sleep cycle and end up soaking wet. Because babies spend much more time in this deepest stage of sleep, they're more likely to sweat during the night than adults or even older children.
While sweating is very common, excessive sweating could mean that something's amiss. Excessive sweating can be a sign of congenital heart disease, for example, as well as various infections and sleep apnea. (Because the baby is working so hard to breathe, he "works up a sweat," says Freed.)
Overheating is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The room your baby sleeps in should be warm — about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit — not hot.
Dress your baby in the amount of clothing that you'd be comfortable sleeping in without covers. Resist the urge to bundle him up, and keep blankets, quilts, and comforters out of his crib.
As a rule of thumb, remember that if you're too hot, your baby probably is too. If the house is cool and your baby is dressed lightly and still sweating, talk with his doctor.
While sweating is very common, excessive sweating could mean that something's amiss. Excessive sweating can be a sign of congenital heart disease, for example, as well as various infections and sleep apnea. (Because the baby is working so hard to breathe, he "works up a sweat," says Freed.)
Overheating is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The room your baby sleeps in should be warm — about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit — not hot.
Dress your baby in the amount of clothing that you'd be comfortable sleeping in without covers. Resist the urge to bundle him up, and keep blankets, quilts, and comforters out of his crib.
As a rule of thumb, remember that if you're too hot, your baby probably is too. If the house is cool and your baby is dressed lightly and still sweating, talk with his doctor.
Rocking
Many babies are soothed by rhythmic back-and-forth movements, such as the gentle motion of a rocking chair. Some babies will move back and forth on all fours or even rock while sitting up. Body rocking starts at about 6 months of age and may be accompanied by head banging or head rolling.
It's best to take a low-key approach to rocking. In babies, rocking usually isn't a sign of a behavioral or emotional problem. If your baby perceives that you're trying to stop the rocking, he may take it as a challenge and persist in the behavior.
If your baby's nighttime rocking is unusually loud or vigorous, try moving his crib away from the wall. And be sure to tighten the screws and bolts on his crib regularly, as all the motion may work them loose.
It's best to take a low-key approach to rocking. In babies, rocking usually isn't a sign of a behavioral or emotional problem. If your baby perceives that you're trying to stop the rocking, he may take it as a challenge and persist in the behavior.
If your baby's nighttime rocking is unusually loud or vigorous, try moving his crib away from the wall. And be sure to tighten the screws and bolts on his crib regularly, as all the motion may work them loose.
Head banging
Like rocking, head banging is a common self-comforting behavior in babies. Strangely enough, your baby may bang his head to distract himself from pain — if he's teething or has an ear infection, for example.
Up to 20 percent of babies and toddlers bang their head on purpose. Boys are three times more likely to do it than girls.
Head banging often starts in the second half of the first year and peaks between 18 and 24 months of age. Your baby's head-banging habit may last for several months or even years, but most children outgrow it by age 3.
In the meantime, tighten the screws and bolts on his crib regularly. Resist the temptation to put pillows or blankets in the crib to cushion the blows — even though most SIDS cases occur before 6 months of age, it's best to play it safe.
Head banging in babies is rarely a sign of a developmental or emotional problem, but go ahead and mention it to your baby's doctor. In rare instances — especially if your baby has developmental delays — it could be a signal that something's wrong.
Up to 20 percent of babies and toddlers bang their head on purpose. Boys are three times more likely to do it than girls.
Head banging often starts in the second half of the first year and peaks between 18 and 24 months of age. Your baby's head-banging habit may last for several months or even years, but most children outgrow it by age 3.
In the meantime, tighten the screws and bolts on his crib regularly. Resist the temptation to put pillows or blankets in the crib to cushion the blows — even though most SIDS cases occur before 6 months of age, it's best to play it safe.
Head banging in babies is rarely a sign of a developmental or emotional problem, but go ahead and mention it to your baby's doctor. In rare instances — especially if your baby has developmental delays — it could be a signal that something's wrong.
Teeth grinding
More than half of babies grind their teeth. Grinding can occur at any age, but it's most common in babies who are getting their first teeth (beginning at around 6 months) and in children who are getting their permanent teeth (starting at about 5 years).
Possible reasons for teeth grinding in babies include the sensation of new teeth, pain (from an earache or teething, for example), and breathing problems (such as from a stuffy nose or allergies).
While the sound may be nerve-racking for you, the grinding probably won't hurt your baby's teeth. Do mention it to his doctor, though, and to his dentist. (Your baby's first dentist visit should happen around the time he turns 1.)
The doctor and dentist can check for damage to the tooth enamel and look for other potential culprits and resulting problems. Few babies are such ardent grinders that they actually wear down their teeth.
Possible reasons for teeth grinding in babies include the sensation of new teeth, pain (from an earache or teething, for example), and breathing problems (such as from a stuffy nose or allergies).
While the sound may be nerve-racking for you, the grinding probably won't hurt your baby's teeth. Do mention it to his doctor, though, and to his dentist. (Your baby's first dentist visit should happen around the time he turns 1.)
The doctor and dentist can check for damage to the tooth enamel and look for other potential culprits and resulting problems. Few babies are such ardent grinders that they actually wear down their teeth.
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