I melted, it was the cutest laugh ever coming from my baby (at a couple of days old)!! This maybe brings into question what our kids are dreaming about, or is there something more going on. Is this cute moment just a reflex or does it have some science behind? This blog outlines why newborns smile while they sleep, and provides tips on what it says about their growth.
1. What Is Sleep-Related Laughter (Hypnagogic Smile)?
When newborns laugh in their sleep, it’s often referred to as a hypnagogic smile. This type of laughter happens during their active sleep phase, also known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During REM sleep, your baby’s brain is highly active, even though their body is still. This phase is often associated with dreaming, but in newborns, it’s more about brain development than complex dreams.
So, when you see your newborn smiling or laughing while sleeping, it’s typically a reflex related to their developing brain and nervous system rather than a response to something they find amusing.
2. Is My Newborn Dreaming?
You want to believe your newborn is having joyous dreams when they laugh in their sleep. Although for newborns REM accounts for roughly 50 per cent of their sleep (and the stage during which dreaming occurs in adults) it is thought that babies are not yet capable of the same kind of intricate dreams. Their brains aren’t resting; they’re breaking down the new sensations, sights and sounds experienced throughout the day that sometimes lead to unintentional laughter.
Your baby might not be dreaming like we do, but during those sleep cycles their brain is making all sorts of important connections.
3. The Role of Reflexes
Many reflexes exist in newborns, and sleep-related laughter can be regarded as one of them. Throughout their sleep, children may twitch, be startled, or make sucking movements with their mouth while laughing is simply another reflex. It indicates that their nervous system is in functioning order if it operates while laughing. Children may utilize these exercises to practice other movements, like smiling or laughing, which they will use more intentionally later in life.
So Don’t be worried if your infant laughs loudly but isn’t yet smiling while awake — that’s common in the first few months as well.
4. REM Sleep and Brain Development
REM sleep is extremely important to your baby’s brain At this point in time all is well established for their brain to begin processing new information and learning how a body should operate. As Ribeiro notes, this might all just be an accidental result of the brain practicing its new emotion and facial expression related neural connections.
Sleep is a time when your baby’s brain is rehearsing some of the other things they’ll do while awake—laughing being one.
Learn more about baby sleep stages and their significance here.
5. Emotional Development in Newborns
Newborns are just beginning to develop an awareness of emotion, but they come equipped with the basic building blocks for understanding emotions from birth. When they reach toddler-hood, toddlers learn to identify the sensation of feeling happiness and facial expression’s stimulus. Even very early on, that little brain in your baby is starting to develop ways of coping with emotional shitstorm we call life and one freelancer likened their 6 month old son giggling when sleep as this.
These small giggles show that while they may not understand humor yet, perhaps their brain is learning to comprehend different emotional responses in a more refined way as they get older.
6. When Will My Baby Start Laughing When Awake?
The very first time you hear those beautiful baby giggles when they are awake will usually happen around 3-4 months of age. Your little one will learn more about the world and laughter accompanies tickles, funny faces or playing around with you at this point.
Just breathe a sigh of relief that the laugh you see in your newborn when they sleep means development reflexes and brain activity to create them awake full out laughter right now.
7. Is Laughter During Sleep a Sign of Happiness?
Sleep laughter Why Your Baby Laughs in Sleep Just Breath It’s natural to wonder if your baby is smiling laughing when they are asleep because it usually seems pretty clear that you can hear the sound of a giggle inside. Even so, laughter is a good sign which does not mean that your baby has the traditional human sense of key笑. It is mostly about their body teaching itself on how to respond with facial muscles.
However, the fact that your baby’s laughing is a good sign for overall well being and healthy development. You will soon witness more intentional smiles, and they might even laugh at their surroundings.
Check out how newborns develop emotions and smiles.
8. Should I Be Concerned About Laughing in Sleep?
Unless it interferes with yours or the baby’s sleep, the laughing will not cause problems for your little one. Their brain is growing, they are using their imagination and it is a normal part of learning. But if you observe other abnormal behaviors like excessive crying, twitching or difficulty sleeping it’s always a good idea to check in with pediatrician if there might be some underlying concern.
Those occasional laughs or half-smiles in the sleep—most likely, it’s just a reflex and nothing to worry about.
9. How Can I Encourage Laughter and Smiling?
If seeing your baby smile and hear their laughter makes you want to see more of that, there are many way show to encourage those happy expressions while they are awake. In what may be the first genuine smiles you ever see your baby place into their NM arsenal, prompt them with simple activities like talking or making funny faces. Will not be worried to provide a large grin while they really like connection and respond to facial expressions.
As baby gets older, they will laugh more often; in their sleep and also while awake. The more Raz spends time with family the sooner these special moments will occur repeatedly.
10. Tips for Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits
While your baby’s sleep-related laughter is adorable, establishing healthy sleep habits is equally important. Here are a few tips to help your newborn sleep better:
- Create a consistent bedtime routine: A warm bath, gentle massage, or soft lullabies can help your baby relax and prepare for sleep.
- Swaddle your newborn: Wrapping your baby in a cozy swaddle can help them feel secure and reduce startle reflexes that might wake them.
- Use white noise: Gentle white noise can help mimic the sounds of the womb, creating a soothing environment for sleep.
- Place your baby on their back: Always put your baby to sleep on their back in a bassinet or crib to reduce the risk of SIDS.
By promoting good sleep habits, you’ll create a comfortable environment where your newborn can thrive—laughter and all!
Here’s more advice on establishing good sleep routines for newborns.
Conclusion
Newborns laughing in their sleep is not only adorable but also a natural part of their development. Whether it’s a reflex, a response to REM sleep, or an early sign of emotional growth, these tiny bursts of laughter are just one of the many ways your baby’s brain is learning and growing. While it may not mean they’re dreaming of something funny just yet, it’s a positive sign that their body is practicing the skills they’ll need to express happiness later on.
As your baby grows, these sleep giggles will evolve into real laughter, both in their sleep and while awake. So, cherish those sweet moments, knowing that your baby is developing just as they should!