It’s entirely normal for babies to move their arms and legs while sleeping. This happens for several reasons, including physical development, sleep cycles, and comfort. You shouldn’t worry too much about these movements if your baby is otherwise healthy and sleeping safely.
You see your little angel sleeping peacefully and enjoying how cute they look, but suddenly, your little one starts to wiggle their arms and legs in sleep, which continues to happen each time they sleep.
Observing our little ones is one of the most guilty pleasures of our lives when we want to make sure they’re okay.
But is this kind of sleep movement normal? Should you be worried?
Normal baby sleep patterns
Sleep patterns in babies can vary widely depending on their age, development, and temperament. However, some general patterns are typical for most babies:
Newborns (0-3 months)
Newborns typically sleep a lot, averaging 14-17 hours a day, but they do not have a set sleep schedule.
They usually sleep in short bursts of 2-4 hours, waking up frequently to eat and for diaper changes.
Infants (3-6 months)
When babies reach 3 months old, they begin to sleep for longer stretches at night but still wake up to feed.
They may also develop a more predictable sleep schedule during the day, with naps occurring every 1-2 hours.
Older infants (6-12 months)
At this age, babies typically sleep 9-12 hours at night and take 1-3 naps during the day, totaling about 2-3 hours of daytime sleep.
Toddlers (1-2 years)
Toddlers need around 11-14 hours of sleep daily, mainly at night. They usually take one nap during the day, lasting 1-3 hours.
These are general guidelines, as every baby is different.
Some babies may sleep more or perhaps less than the averages mentioned above, while some may have different sleep patterns that vary based on their needs and general temperament.
Many babies experience periods of sleep regression, affecting their sleep patterns and making it more difficult for them to fall and stay asleep.
Importance of understanding your baby’s movements while sleeping
Understanding your baby’s movements while sleeping can be important for several reasons:
Safety
By monitoring your baby’s movements while they sleep, you can ensure that your baby is sleeping safely and not in a position that could cause harm, such as on their stomach or with their face covered.
Sleep quality
Observing your baby’s movements during sleep can help you determine if your baby is comfortable and sleeping well.
If your baby is tossing and turning or waking frequently, it may indicate that they are uncomfortable and need a diaper change or feeding.
Developmental milestones
Babies undergo developmental milestones during their first year, such as rolling over and crawling.
Observing your baby’s movements during sleep helps you monitor their progress and ensure they meet these milestones on schedule.
Health concerns
In some cases, unusual or excessive movements during sleep could indicate an underlying health condition, such as sleep apnea or a seizure disorder.
You can identify potential concerns by monitoring your baby’s movements during sleep and seeking medical attention if needed.
Understanding your baby’s movements while sleeping can help you ensure your baby’s safety, comfort, and overall well-being.
What causes constant movements in babies while sleeping?
1. Physical Development
As babies grow and develop, they become more aware of their bodies and the world around them and naturally become more active, even during sleep.
Here are a few ways physical development might contribute to constant movements during sleep:
Rolling over
Your baby may unknowingly practice this new skill during sleep as they learn to roll over.
They may move around more, trying to find a comfortable position or simply getting used to this new way of moving.
Crawling
Similarly, as your baby learns to crawl, they may practice this movement during sleep.
Pushing up on their hands and knees or scooting around on their bellies is common.
Standing
As your baby becomes more mobile and starts to pull themselves up to stand, they may continue to practice this skill during sleep.
Your baby may push up on the crib rails, stand up, and then fall back onto the mattress.
Stretching
Finally, your baby might move around more during sleep simply because they need to stretch their muscles.
Your little one may wake up feeling stiff or uncomfortable, so they move their arms and legs to loosen up and get more comfortable.
2. Comfort and security
Babies may move around more during sleep to find a comfortable position or to self-soothe.
Here are a few ways that comfort and security can contribute to constant movements during sleep:
Swaddling
Swaddling can help your little one feel secure and comfortable while asleep.
However, some babies may not like being swaddled, or they may wriggle out of the swaddle during sleep, causing them to move around more.
Sleeping surface
Your baby’s sleeping surface can also affect their comfort and movements during sleep.
For example, if the mattress is too hard or soft, your baby may move around more to get comfortable.
Additionally, your baby may move around to regulate their body temperature if the sleeping surface is too warm or too cold.
Diaper changes
A wet or dirty diaper can cause discomfort and disrupt your baby’s sleep. Your baby may move around more to get comfortable or signal to need a diaper change.
Self-soothing
Some babies may move around more during sleep to self-soothe.
They may suck on their fingers or thumb, rub their face against the sheets, or kick or flail their arms or legs to help themselves fall asleep.
3. Sleep Cycles
Babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults, which means they move through different stages of sleep more frequently.
During each sleep cycle, your baby may move around more or wake up briefly before falling back asleep.
Here are a few ways that sleep cycles can contribute to constant movements during sleep:
Active sleep
During the active, or REM, stage of sleep, your baby’s brain is very active, and their body may twitch, jerk, or move as a result.
This is a normal part of the sleep cycle, resulting in your little one moving around more than usual.
Light sleep
Babies may move around more during light sleep, which is the stage of sleep just before they fall into a deeper sleep.
During this stage, your baby may be more easily disturbed by external noises or movements, causing them to move around or wake up.
Transitioning between sleep cycles
As babies transition between sleep cycles, they may move around more, wake up briefly, or even cry before falling back to sleep.
This shouldn’t be too concerning as it’s a normal part of the sleep cycle.
Growth spurts
During times of rapid growth and development, babies may move around more during sleep as their bodies work to process and integrate new information.
Safety concerns for constantly moving babies
While constant movements in babies while sleeping are usually normal and not a cause for concern, there are a few safety concerns to be aware of:
1. Suffocation
If your baby moves around too much while sleeping, they may accidentally get trapped in blankets, pillows, or other bedding, increasing the risk of suffocation.
You should ensure that your little one’s sleeping area is free of loose bedding and other items that could pose a risk of suffocation.
2. Falls
If your baby constantly moves around in their crib, they may be at higher risk for falls.
You should ensure that your baby’s crib meets current safety standards and that the mattress is set at the appropriate height for your baby’s age and size.
3. Strangulation
Babies who are constantly moving may be at risk of getting tangled in cords or other items near their sleeping area.
You should ensure that your baby’s sleeping area is free of cords, strings, or other items that could pose a risk of strangulation.
4. Overheating
If your baby moves around a lot while sleeping, they may generate more body heat, increasing the risk of overheating.
You should ensure that your baby’s sleeping area is not too warm and dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature.
Overall, you should be aware of these safety concerns and ensure your baby’s sleeping area is safe and free of potential hazards.
You should also monitor your baby’s movements during sleep and ensure that your baby sleeps comfortably and safely.
If you have concerns about your baby’s movements during sleep or overall health, discussing the issue with your pediatrician is advisable.
Creating a safe sleep environment for constantly moving babies
Ensuring a safe sleep environment for constantly moving babies can be challenging, but there are some steps that you can take to minimize the risk of hazards:
- Ensure your baby’s crib or bassinet has a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly in the frame.
- Avoid using soft mattresses or fluffy bedding that can increase the risk of suffocation.
- Use a fitted sheet designed for your baby’s sleep surface, and ensure it fits snugly around the mattress.
- Keep your baby’s sleep surface free of soft objects, such as pillows, blankets, or stuffed plush animals, as these can increase the risk of suffocation.
- Opt for a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead of loose blankets to keep your little one warm.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If your baby can roll over on their own, it is generally safe to let them sleep in whatever position they prefer.
- Keep your baby’s sleeping area comfortable, around 68-72°F (20-22°C), to prevent overheating. Dress your baby in lightweight clothing appropriate for the temperature.
- Check on your baby frequently during sleep, and adjust their position or clothing to keep them safe and comfortable.
- Crib bumpers often used to prevent your baby from getting stuck in the crib slats, can pose a suffocation hazard and should be avoided.
Following these guidelines can help ensure a safe sleep environment for all babies and reduce the risk of sleep hazards while promoting healthy sleep habits.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sleep-regression-stages#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Csleep%20regression%E2%80%9D%20refers,fighting%20naps%20or%20bedtime
- https://news.childrensmercy.org/sleep-apnea-in-babies/
- https://pathways.org/when-can-baby-roll-over-tips-to-help-baby-roll/
- https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/sleep/article/how-to-swaddle-a-baby
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/
