Sleeping like a baby probably brings to mind a peaceful and quiet slumber, but when your little one goes to bed, their sleep is anything but. You’re left wondering, if they’re asleep, why is your baby moving around so much and making so much noise? Is there something wrong?
In this article, we’ll discuss the signs of active sleep in newborns and why this sleep is important. We’ll also give you tips so you can be sure your little one’s slumber is as safe and sound as possible.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- What is active sleep?
- Why is active sleep important?
- Signs of newborn active sleep
- Safety tips during active sleep
What is active sleep?
Active sleep, or Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, is a lighter, restless sleep period. During this normal and important phase of sleep, which accounts for about 50% of a newborn’s total sleep, a baby’s brain is extremely active.
For newborns, active sleep occurs at the beginning of the sleep cycle. After this, a baby will fall into non-REM sleep, or quiet sleep.
Why is active sleep important?
We all know that sleep is important for newborns and adults alike, but active sleep is particularly important for babies because it’s when their brain is going through a rapid period of development.
While they’re twitching and making strange noises, your baby’s brain is building neural connections to help them learn important skills. It’s also consolidating experiences and memory.
You can rest assured that when you see your baby in active sleep, it’s a sign of healthy brain development!
Signs of active sleep in newborns
There are many signs that suggest your little one is in a period of active sleep. Let’s take a look.
Fluttering eyelids
When your baby’s eyes are twitching, fluttering, or even opening, don’t be alarmed. This eye movement is a sign that they’re in a phase of active sleep.
Body movement
You also might see your baby’s legs and arms flail, or your little one might move or roll over. This, too, is a sign that they’re in active sleep (it is called active for a reason, after all!).
Important note: if your baby is showing signs of rolling over, it’s time to stop swaddling.
Changing facial expressions
One of the more comical indicators of active sleep is your baby’s odd facial expressions, from smiles to grimaces. If you see your little one making a silly face while they snooze, they’re likely in active sleep. Get your camera ready!
Grunts and gurgles
Although you think of sleep as a quiet affair, as we said, your baby’s active sleep can be anything but. Grunts, gurgles, squeaks, and cries are all normal parts of this sleep phase.
Elevated, variable heart rate
Another sign that your newborn is in active sleep is if their heart is beating a bit faster than usual at a variable rate. This is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
Irregular breathing
Another, more disconcerting sign of active sleep is irregular breathing.
Also called “normal periodic breathing of infancy,” your little one’s breathing may stop for 5 to 10 seconds and then start up again rapidly. After that, breathing returns to normal until the cycle begins again.
The good news is that this type of breathing usually won’t continue after six months of age.
Note: Pauses in your baby’s breathing that last longer than 10 seconds at a time could be a sign of something else going on. If you notice long or frequent breathing pauses, reach out to your pediatrician right away.
Tips for the newborn active sleep phase
Watch from a distance.
Don’t hover. Watching your sleeping baby from a distance gives them the space they need during this period of development. If you get too close, they might sense you there and fully wake up.
Don’t intervene too quickly.
We know it may be disconcerting, but remember that your baby’s movement, noise, and breathing irregularities are normal during this period of sleep. Intervening too quickly will wake them up and disrupt their sleep cycle.
Try to wait about 30 seconds to one minute before picking them up.
Know when to talk to your pediatrician.
Of course, if you think there is something wrong with your baby’s sleeping pattern, seek medical attention. Here are some signs to look for during active sleep that indicate that you should consult a doctor:
- Your baby’s breathing is consistently over 60 breaths per minute while they’re at rest or they’re breathing rapidly throughout the night
- They make high-pitched squeaking sounds with each breath
- They grunt with each breath, their breathing seems labored, or if you think they’re sick or congested
As a parent, there are many more things that might cause concern, such as changes in eating habits, bowel movements, pain, or consistent crying. If your baby is experiencing any change that worries you, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your doctor.
Put your baby to bed on a firm mattress.
This tip is important whether your baby is in active sleep or not. Be sure any time your baby is sleeping, they’re on a firm, breathable mattress. Our Newton mattresses are a good choice. They’re firm, breathable, and washable from cover to core.
Our Original Mattress is five and a half inches thick, made of 90% air and 10% food-grade polymer, making it much more breathable than a regular mattress. It also features a dual-layer soft, quilted, removable cover.
Follow safe sleep recommendations.
During your baby’s active sleep, you’ll want to continue to follow safe sleep recommendations. These include:
- Always put baby to bed on their back.
- Make sure the crib is bare, with nothing but the mattress, a fitted sheet, and your baby.
- Only let baby sleep on a surface approved for safe sleep such as a crib, travel crib, or bassinet.
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Dress baby for the room temperature, and never let them sleep in a hat or bow.
- Never share a bed with your baby, but do share a room.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, too.
With your baby so active at night, it’s easy to forget about your own sleep, but to be a good parent, it’s important that you’re well rested. You might want to take turns keeping watch over the baby with your partner so you both get enough shuteye.
Sleep soundly with Newton.
Now you know that it’s normal if your newborn’s slumber isn’t as peaceful, quiet, and still as you would have thought, what with all of that brain development happening during the newborn active sleep cycle. Moving limbs, irregular breathing, and grunting are all par for the course.
The best thing you can do is make sure that your baby has a safe sleep space. That’s where Newton comes in. Our Original, Essential, and Waterproof Mattresses are firm, breathable, and even washable.
With Newton, you and your baby can look forward to a good night’s sleep for years to come!
Frequently asked questions
Do babies outgrow active sleep?
Generally speaking, between three and five months old, babies experience less time in the active sleep stage. At this point, their sleep cycle will start looking more like an adult’s, with the active sleep period lessening.
By the time they’re one year old, active sleep will only account for about 25% to 30% of their total sleep time, down from 50%.
What is the three-minute rule for baby sleep?
The three-minute rule refers to waiting three minutes before going into your baby’s room if you know that they’ve been fed and are safe.
Waiting three minutes from the time they start fussing (not making active sleep noises) allows your baby time to self-soothe and fall back to sleep on their own. Note that this guideline is best for babies four months or older.
How are adult REM sleep and newborn active sleep different?
Although newborn active sleep and adult REM sleep are similar stages of sleep, newborn active sleep occurs for a larger percentage of the sleep cycle (50%) as opposed to adults (25%).
On top of that, newborns move their bodies during active sleep, while adults experience sleep paralysis.
