Baby Cries with Eyes Closed During Sleep
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published NSF, AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Sleep concerns affect nearly every family at some point. When it comes to baby cries with eyes closed during sleep, here is what the guidelines recommend.
The short answer
Crying or whimpering with eyes closed during sleep is very common and is part of normal active (REM) sleep. Babies spend much more time in active sleep than adults, and they may cry, moan, grunt, or make facial expressions without being awake. Wait a few minutes before responding - many babies settle back into quiet sleep on their own.
Key takeaways
- Crying or whimpering with eyes closed during sleep is very common and is part of normal active (REM) sleep. Babies spend much more time in active sleep than adults, and they may cry, moan, grunt, or make facial expressions without being awake. Wait a few minutes before responding - many babies settle back into quiet sleep on their own.
- Usually normal when: Brief crying lasting 1-5 minutes during sleep transitions
- Call your doctor if: Baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the AAP recommends that infants sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface, without any soft bedding.”
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What Parents Should Know
According to NSF, AAP, NIH guidelines, crying or whimpering with eyes closed during sleep is very common and is part of normal active (REM) sleep. Babies spend much more time in active sleep than adults, and they may cry, moan, grunt, or make facial expressions without being awake. Wait a few minutes before responding - many babies settle back into quiet sleep on their own. At 0-3 months, newborns spend about 50% of sleep in active REM sleep, during which they may cry, grunt, smile, or squirm. These sounds do not mean baby is awake or in distress. Wait 2-5 minutes before responding to see if they settle. Picking them up may actually wake them from sleep they would have continued. It is generally considered normal when brief crying lasting 1-5 minutes during sleep transitions. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Newborns spend about 50% of sleep in active REM sleep, during which they may cry, grunt, smile, or squirm. These sounds do not mean baby is awake or in distress. Wait 2-5 minutes before responding to see if they settle. Picking them up may actually wake them from sleep they would have continued.
3-8 months
Brief crying between sleep cycles is normal. As your baby transitions between light and deep sleep, they may cry briefly with eyes closed. If the cry is brief and baby settles within a few minutes, they are simply cycling between sleep stages.
8-18 months
Confusional arousals may look like crying while still asleep. Your baby may sit up, cry, and look distressed but is not fully awake. These resolve on their own and your baby will have no memory. Avoid over-stimulating interventions.
18-36 months
Night terrors may appear as intense crying with eyes closed or open but unseeing. These happen in deep sleep and are more common in overtired children. The child is not awake and does not need intervention beyond keeping them safe.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby cries with eyes closed during sleep and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if crying episodes last more than 15-20 minutes regularly.
- Mention if baby seems to be in pain during sleep episodes.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Brief crying lasting 1-5 minutes during sleep transitions
- Baby settles back to sleep without intervention
- Crying occurs during active REM sleep with movements
- Baby has no memory of the episode and is fine when fully awake
- Crying episodes last more than 15-20 minutes regularly
- Baby seems to be in pain during sleep episodes
- Episodes happen multiple times per night every night
- Baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure
- Baby stops breathing, turns blue, or seems very distressed upon waking
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby cries with eyes closed during sleep — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that brief crying lasting 1-5 minutes during sleep transitions — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Keep the sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure.
Related Conditions
My Baby Screams in Their Sleep
Babies commonly cry out, scream, or shriek during sleep without fully waking. This usually happens during transitions between sleep cycles or during active REM sleep, when the brain is highly active. It sounds alarming, but in most cases your baby is not in distress and will settle back into deeper sleep within seconds to minutes.
My Baby Wakes Up Confused and Crying
Confusional arousals happen when your baby partially wakes during a transition between sleep stages but isn't fully conscious. They may cry, seem upset, push you away, or not recognize you for several minutes before either fully waking or returning to sleep. This is a type of parasomnia that's developmentally normal and not harmful.
Toddler Night Terrors
Night terrors are a common and harmless sleep phenomenon where your child appears terrified - screaming, thrashing, or sitting up - but is actually still asleep and will not remember the episode. They are caused by a partial arousal from deep sleep and are not a sign of emotional distress or psychological problems.
My Baby Moans in Their Sleep
Moaning, groaning, and grunting during sleep are extremely common in babies and are almost always harmless. Babies spend a large proportion of their sleep in active (REM) sleep, during which they naturally vocalize, twitch, and make facial expressions. These sounds typically decrease as your baby's nervous system matures over the first few months.
Related Resources
Excessive Crying Triage
Determine whether crying patterns need medical attention.
Baby Sleep Guide
Age-by-age sleep needs, schedules, and evidence-based sleep strategies.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby cries with eyes closed during sleep normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby cries with eyes closed during sleep?
When is baby cries with eyes closed during sleep normal?
What causes baby cries with eyes closed during sleep?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby cries with eyes closed during sleep?
Is baby cries with eyes closed during sleep normal at 0-3 months?
Is baby cries with eyes closed during sleep normal at 3-8 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby cries with eyes closed during sleep?
Does baby cries with eyes closed during sleep go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Cries with Eyes Closed During Sleep.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby cries with eyes closed during sleep and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if crying episodes last more than 15-20 minutes regularly.
- Mention if baby seems to be in pain during sleep episodes.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Crying episodes last more than 15-20 minutes regularly
- Baby seems to be in pain during sleep episodes
- Episodes happen multiple times per night every night
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure
- Baby stops breathing, turns blue, or seems very distressed upon waking
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby cries with eyes closed during sleep are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if baby has rhythmic jerking movements during episodes suggesting possible seizure.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Sleep Concerns
My Baby Screams in Their Sleep
Babies commonly cry out, scream, or shriek during sleep without fully waking. This usually happens during transitions between sleep cycles or during active REM sleep, when the brain is highly active. It sounds alarming, but in most cases your baby is not in distress and will settle back into deeper sleep within seconds to minutes.
My Baby Wakes Up Confused and Crying
Confusional arousals happen when your baby partially wakes during a transition between sleep stages but isn't fully conscious. They may cry, seem upset, push you away, or not recognize you for several minutes before either fully waking or returning to sleep. This is a type of parasomnia that's developmentally normal and not harmful.
Toddler Night Terrors
Night terrors are a common and harmless sleep phenomenon where your child appears terrified - screaming, thrashing, or sitting up - but is actually still asleep and will not remember the episode. They are caused by a partial arousal from deep sleep and are not a sign of emotional distress or psychological problems.
My Baby Moans in Their Sleep
Moaning, groaning, and grunting during sleep are extremely common in babies and are almost always harmless. Babies spend a large proportion of their sleep in active (REM) sleep, during which they naturally vocalize, twitch, and make facial expressions. These sounds typically decrease as your baby's nervous system matures over the first few months.
How Long Should Baby Be Awake Between Naps?
The ideal awake time between naps (called a "wake window") increases as your baby grows. Newborns may only handle 45-90 minutes awake, while toddlers can manage 4-6 hours. Getting wake windows right is one of the most effective ways to improve nap quality, because both too-short and too-long wake times lead to poor sleep.
Is a Bath Before Bed Really Necessary?
A nightly bath is not medically necessary and some babies with sensitive skin do better with less frequent bathing. However, a warm bath can be a powerful sleep cue because the subsequent body temperature drop triggers melatonin production. If you include a bath, keep it calm and warm rather than stimulating.