My son was born at 28 weeks and is now 3 months old. He sleeps well, but a few times I have noticed he seems distressed in his sleep, almost like he is having a bad dream but not waking up. I searched online and found conflicting answers—some say babies don’t have nightmares until they are older, while others say it is possible. What do you think as a parent?
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Yes, little babies can have nightmares, but the understanding of this phenomenon is nuanced due to their developing brains and limited verbal communication.
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A child younger than two years old is incapable of experiencing nightmares. The sympathetic nervous system is triggered when your baby cries or whimpers as they sleep, and this typically indicates that something else is upsetting them.
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I believe they have more emotions than actual dreams. As if their brain simply gives the signal to be terrified, and they act accordingly. That’s when you hear them scream.
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A baby under 2 years old is not capable of having nightmares. If your baby is crying or whimpering in their sleep, this is a sympathetic nervous system response and usually means something else in unsettling them.
My LO gets really distressed in her sleep sometimes, I don’t know if it’s trapped gas/needs to poop or she’s dreaming that I’m taking the titty away forever. She’s only 9 weeks so it’s probably digestion related, but it’s the same face she makes when she’s fallen asleep eating and woke up to no nip. Utter devastation.
When my daughter was around the same age, I also noticed similar episodes where she seemed distressed during sleep, almost as if she was having bad dreams but not fully waking up. It was concerning to witness, and like you, I searched online for answers. Some sources suggested that babies don’t typically have nightmares at such a young age due to their limited understanding of fear and complex emotions. However, I also found anecdotes from other parents who observed similar behaviors in their infants. Despite the conflicting information, I focused on comforting my daughter during these moments, using soothing techniques like gentle rocking or softly singing to help her settle back into a peaceful sleep.
Based on my experience and what I’ve learned, it’s plausible that babies can have unsettling moments during sleep that resemble nightmares, even at a young age. While scientific consensus leans towards infants not having fully developed the cognitive abilities required for true nightmares, it’s essential to trust your parental instincts and provide comfort when your son appears distressed. Keep monitoring his sleep patterns and behaviors, and discuss any concerns with your pediatrician during regular check-ups to ensure his overall well-being.