There are many things our babies do that are confusing. Here are the top 5 questions that we often get asked.
Why does my baby cry when they wake up from nap?
When babies wake up crying, chances are that they are in fact still tired and that nap was too short. Work on getting some longer naps so that they are able to be happy and well rested when they wake up. Also keep in mind that just because they wake up after 30 or 40 minutes, does not mean that they are ready to get out of bed. Leave them and give them a chance to fall back asleep. It’s also important to make sure that your baby is on an age appropriate nap schedule so that they are getting the best, most restorative sleep they can. On the other hand, if they’re sleeping well and still waking up crying, then they just might be grumpy bears when they wake up.
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Why does my little one make so much noise in their sleep?
Babies are notoriously noisy sleepers. They will grunt, snort and whimper in their sleep. They often make these noises when they are in REM sleep. In REM sleep, your baby will is dreaming and can make noises, move and twitch. They can also cry briefly when they transition between sleep cycles. If your baby starts whimpering or crying, don’t immediately rush to pick them up. Wait and see if they will fall back asleep on their own.
Why does my child refuse to sleep in the crib?
If your baby immediately starts crying the moment you put them down in their crib and seem to sleep better with you, chances are it’s not because they hate their crib but rather because they’re not used to it. To get them sleeping in their crib, make sure the room is conducive to sleep (dark, cool and with a white noise machine) and make sure they are going down awake. If they fall asleep in your arms, they expect to remain there. So if you put them down in their crib, they’ll wake up and cry until they get back what they had. By encouraging them fall asleep in their crib, they then get used to falling asleep in there and are more comfortable in their crib. You can also have some playtime in his crib which will create a positive association with his crib.
Why does my baby bang his head when going to sleep?
This is actually very common and rarely harmful. Banging their head or rolling and rocking in their crib is called a sleep related rhythmic movement disorder (RMD). Some babies and kids will even make rhythmic sounds like humming. It’s also a way for them to self soothe/comfort. This is normal and usually goes away by 2-3 yrs of age. If it is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, then it’s always a good idea to check with a doctor.
Why does my baby sleep in weird positions?
There might be nights when you look at the baby monitor and see your baby in a position that can’t be comfortable. Or you might find them uncomfortably squished in the corner. You might be tempted to go move them, but unless they are in an unsafe position, it’s fine to just leave them. What might seem uncomfortable to us, is probably pretty comfortable for them. If they look to be in an unsafe position, then it’s fine to go in and gently move them.
