Screaming in her sleep?

[_betsy_]

DD is 4 weeks old today. The past few days, maybe for a week or so, she has nbeen fussing/crying/screaming in her sleep for a few seconds and then is right back to sleep. Her eyes are closed the whole time. Her needs are met, ie, she's fed, has a clean diaper, is warm enough, etc. I've tried nursing her and even a pacifier thinking she was needing to comfort suck, but she won't take either.

Is it gas? Is it a bad dream? Is it typical newborn behavior? What can I do to help her?

[myhoneyswife]

I think every baby I've ever watched has screamed/fussed in their sleep for a second at some point. No real idea why, but just wanted to confirm that it's normal. I think it may have something to do with changing sleep cycles, like going from deep to light sleep and they don't like it?

[magpiedee]

Yup, mine squawks like a baby pterodactyl, huffs, hollers and whines in her sleep sometimes. Very entertaining during the day, but gets a bit old at night. I just assumed it was part of their normal sleep pattern. She started up right before the cooing and smiling began at 5 weeks, so maybe she's practicing in her sleep.

[dvons]

This is #3 for us and every single one of them has done it. As long as all their needs are met I think you're fine. I do notice that this happens less often for us when baby is in bed with us. If she is in her bassinet for naps or even in the bed alone she seems to startle more.

Deb

[_betsy_]

Thanks, that's what I was suspecting.

So funny you said "baby pterodactyl" Magpiedee - that's exactly what I call it!

[magpiedee]

Originally Posted by _betsy_

Thanks, that's what I was suspecting.

So funny you said "baby pterodactyl" Magpiedee - that's exactly what I call it!

Dude, that's just what it sounds like!

My husband likes to sing "Don't Go Back to Squawkville", to the tune of REM's Don't Go Back to Rockville to her whenever she gets really loud. :

[_betsy_]

Love that song!

Hmmm, a new rendition of that with his lyric change might just make it into my repertiore!

[Piper's mama]

Right here with ya'll. Piper never made much noise, she's a hard sleeper. But Lily is very active when she sleeps.She talks/screams/cries. And I swear she is the fidgetiest person I have ever met. She sleeps through the night, but I wake up with every fidget :.

[_betsy_]

I guess that's partly why I found this behavior concerning enough to ask about here - she's NOT fidgety when she's awake and is quite the cuddle-bug. She'll sleep in the smae position for a couple hours, maybe turning her head.

This is my first, so I'm probably worrying too much about things that are totally normal. Though, really, I haven't been worried about much of anything!