When do babies start dreaming (and can they have nightmares)?
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
If you've ever watched your baby's eyelids flutter while they sleep, you may wonder if they're dreaming. Explore when babies do start dreaming and if they can have nightmares.
Have you ever watched your baby sleep? Maybe you’ve seen their eyelids flutter or their little mouth twitch into a smile, and wondered if they were dreaming. But, can babies actually dream? And if so, what are they dreaming about, given their lack of life experience?
Science hasn’t given us a straight answer, and of course, babies can’t tell us. But what we do know is that babies experience sleep very differently from older kids and adults. Their nighttime wakings can be frequent, their sleep cycles are shorter, and whatever’s happening inside their developing brains may have more to do with laying the foundation for their development than anything else.
But if babies don’t dream—at least not in the way we do—what does it mean if your little one wakes up suddenly in tears?
Here’s everything you need to know about how babies sleep, and more importantly, what you can do to help them settle back down after they wake up.
When do babies start dreaming?
Newborns spend a huge chunk of their sleep in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage in which adults do most of their dreaming. In fact, about 50% of a newborn’s sleep is REM, compared to around 20-25% for adults. So you’d think that means their tiny brains are dreaming away, right? Not necessarily.
Most researchers believe that in the early months of life, REM sleep helps babies’ brains build the connections they need for learning, sensory processing, and memory. If they do dream, it’s likely a much simpler, non-narrative experience — maybe just flashes of familiar faces, comforting sensations, or vague impressions of light and sound.
So, when do kids actually start having real dreams? Some experts believe it happens around age 2 or 3, when toddlers begin to develop language, memory, and imagination. This is also when children are able to articulate their dreams in a real way. That ability to recall and describe a dream is a key sign that true dreaming is happening.
Read more: Baby sleep guide: How much sleep does your baby really need?
Can babies have nightmares?
If your baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night, it’s natural to assume that they’ve had a nightmare.
However, nightmares require imagination, memory, and a sense of self — things that babies’ developing brains just aren’t capable of yet.
So, if bad dreams aren’t waking up your baby, what is? Odds are, one of these issues is the culprit:
Hunger: Babies have tiny stomachs, and they empty fast. Sometimes they’re just pleading for a snack.
Discomfort: A wet diaper or twisted pajama leg can easily disturb a baby's slumber. And because their digestive systems are still figuring things out, babies sometimes wake up mid-sleep with discomfort from trapped gas.
Overstimulation or overtiredness: Ironically, being overtired can make sleep more elusive.
A Moro reflex startle: The Moro reflex can cause a dramatic full-body jerk that wakes up babies in a panic.Thankfully, it fades by around 4 months.
A confusional arousal: Sometimes a baby seems awake but is actually stuck between sleep stages, leading to fussing, crying, or thrashing. They usually settle quickly on their own.
The trick is figuring out what they need in the moment — and remembering that, just like every other phase, this one won’t last forever.
Read more: Why do people get nightmares?
How to calm a distressed baby during the night: 7 tips to soothe them back to sleep
There are few things more disorienting than being jolted awake by your baby’s sudden cries in the middle of the night. One second, you’re deep in sleep, and the next, you’re stumbling through the dark, trying to figure out what’s wrong.
Whether your baby woke up due to hunger or discomfort, there are ways to help them settle. Here are some strategies to soothe them — and, hopefully, get everyone back to sleep as soon as possible.
1. Pause before rushing in
Not every nighttime sound means the baby is fully awake. Babies are noisy sleepers — they grunt, whimper, and even cry briefly in their sleep. Give it a few moments to see if they settle on their own before swooping in. If you’re sleep-training, this is especially important, as it helps them learn to fall back asleep independently.
2. Keep the vibe low-key
If your baby does need you, try to keep your interactions calm and quiet. Keep the lights dim, speak in a soft voice, and try to avoid too much stimulation. The goal is to signal that nighttime is for sleeping, not for playing.
3. Check for the usual suspects
When in doubt, run through a quick comfort checklist:
Hunger: If it’s been a while since their last feed, a quick nursing session or bottle might be all they need.
Diaper situation: If their diaper is saturated or they’ve pooped, it’s time for a change.
Temperature check: Are they too hot? Too cold? Adjust accordingly.
Gas pains: A gentle tummy rub or some bicycle kicks might help move things along.
4. Offer gentle comfort
If baby is still unsettled, try:
Patting or rubbing their back in a steady rhythm
Shushing or humming softly (white noise can also work wonders)
Offering a pacifier if they take one
Rocking or holding them (but try not to fully wake them up)
Some babies just need a few seconds of reassurance before drifting back off.
💙 White Noise sounds like a steady “shhh” sound and can be great for helping babies fall back asleep.
5. Help them learn to self-soothe
If your baby is old enough (usually around 4-6 months), you can gently encourage independent sleep skills by putting them down drowsy but awake and letting them practice settling on their own.
For younger babies, you can still help them feel secure while keeping interactions minimal. Sometimes, a hand on their chest and a quiet shush is enough.
6. Know that it’s okay to tag out
Remember, you don’t have to do this all on your own. If you have a partner, ask them to help you. (Here are some tips to avoid burnout as the default parent.) And if you’re solo-parenting? Give yourself grace — this is hard, and you’re doing the best you can.
7. Remind yourself: this is temporary
It won’t always be like this. Babies wake up a lot in the first year, but their sleep gradually improves as they grow. One day, you’ll sleep through the night again.
💙 When you’re exhausted, your mental health can suffer. Kate Johnson’s Breathwork for Postpartum Anxiety might be just what you need to settle down during this emotionally tumultuous time.
Read more: How to deal with new parent sleep deprivation: 10 tips to cope
When do babies start dreaming FAQs
What are baby nightmares vs. baby night terrors?
Nightmares are scary dreams that wake a child up. Typically, they don’t start until around age 2 or later, when kids can recall and describe them.
On the other hand, night terrors cause a child to scream or thrash, but they’re not fully awake, and they won’t remember it in the morning. Night terrors usually begin in preschool years.
If your baby wakes up crying, it’s much more likely due to hunger, discomfort, or a sleep cycle transition, not a nightmare or night terror.
At what age do babies start to dream?
Experts believe real, story-like dreams don’t start until around age 2 or 3, when toddlers develop imagination and memory. Before that, babies spend a lot of time in REM sleep, but researchers think it’s more about brain development than actual dreaming. If infants do dream, it’s likely just simple sensations rather than full-fledged dream scenarios.
What do babies dream about?
If babies do dream, their dreams are probably simple impressions of familiar sensations, like the warmth of a parent’s arms or the rhythm of a heartbeat. Because their brains aren’t capable of complex imagination yet, it’s unlikely they dream about new or fantastical things like older kids and adults do.
Is it normal for newborns to wake up scared?
Newborns may look startled when they wake up, but it’s usually due to the Moro reflex, an involuntary response that makes them fling out their arms and legs.
They also wake frequently because of hunger, discomfort, or shifting sleep cycles, but they don’t yet experience fear in the way older kids do. Most wake-ups are just their tiny bodies adjusting to the outside world.
Why do babies suddenly cry in their sleep?
Babies often cry in their sleep due to normal sleep cycle transitions, where they briefly wake between stages. Other causes can include gas, teething, or minor discomfort, but if they settle quickly, it’s nothing to worry about.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
Images: Getty
