Do Babies Dream?

Do those tiny twitches and smiles mean your newborn is dreaming? For parents, the science behind infant sleep can be a fascinating insight into your child's developing brain. Dr. Tara Kotagal answers a few questions about babies and dreaming. 

Do newborns dream? 

Babies spend a lot of time in a phase of sleep called REM (rapid eye movement sleep). They experience deep emotions during this stage, but it is hard to know if they are actually dreaming. REM sleep is very important for a newborn's brain development. 

The quality of emotions and thoughts occurring during REM sleep changes as a baby grows older and as their brain develops. During a baby's first year of life, moments of deep sleep evolve more into what we call "dreams." 

What do babies dream about? 

This is hard to know! An adult's dream is typically a narrative with a story, characters, settings and complex emotions. Since a baby's memory, language and sensory processing centers are still developing rapidly, their "dreams" are most likely a series of developmental exercises.

Since dreams typically involve processing emotions and events, we can expect babies to dream about feeding and bonding with their loved ones as well, such as the smell of their mother or the sound of a voice.

How are baby sleep cycles different from older kids? 

Newborn babies sleep a lot, and this is beneficial for their brain development. If your newborn baby sleeps almost all day, this is normal and healthy newborn behavior. Babies need less sleep as they grow up. Regardless of the age of your child, sleep is incredibly important for brain development and body rest and helps your child get ready for the next day.

Read more about newborn sleep here.

Why do babies twitch and move in their sleep? 

Small twitches and movements can happen during moments of deep sleep, otherwise known as REM sleep. This is normal behavior for babies but you should always consult with your child's pediatrician If any of your baby's movements are concerning to you. 

The most important takeaway for parents isn't what the baby is dreaming about, but the fact that sleep itself is critical for brain development. Since sleep is vital for your baby’s development, focus on creating a consistent and safe sleep environment.