Understanding Active Sleep in Newborns: Why It’s Not Gas and How to Handle It

What Is Active Sleep in Newborns?

Newborns experience a unique type of sleep cycle known as active sleep, which is similar to what we experience as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. During active sleep, your baby’s brain is highly active, and this can result in behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning to new parents.

In active sleep, babies may:

• Twitch, squirm, or make jerky movements

• Make small noises like grunting or whimpering

• Open their eyes briefly and then close them again

• Smile or make facial expressions

Active sleep is completely normal and makes up about 50% of a newborn’s total sleep. Newborns cycle through light and deep sleep more frequently than older babies, with active sleep happening every 20-50 minutes.

Why Parents Confuse Active Sleep with Gas

Because babies move and make sounds during active sleep, many parents mistake these behaviors for signs of discomfort, especially gas or colic. The grunting, wriggling, and facial expressions can resemble the way a baby reacts to trapped gas or digestive discomfort.

Parents often think their baby is waking up or uncomfortable when, in reality, the baby is still asleep and just going through a normal active sleep phase.

Why Active Sleep Is More Common as the Night Progresses

Newborns tend to enter longer periods of active sleep during the later part of the night. This happens because of the natural circadian rhythm that influences sleep cycles, and because newborns spend more time in lighter stages of sleep (including active sleep) as the night progresses. This is also why you might notice more movement and noise from your baby in the early morning hours.

Tips to Handle Active Sleep

1. Recognize the Signs: Understanding that your baby is in active sleep can prevent unnecessary worry. If they are twitching, grunting, or making small noises, give them a moment before intervening. These movements don’t necessarily mean they’re awake or in pain.

2. Don’t Rush to Pick Up Your Baby: Since babies in active sleep often seem restless, parents might rush to pick them up, thinking they are uncomfortable or hungry. If your baby isn’t crying or fussing, it’s a good idea to wait a few minutes to see if they settle back into deeper sleep.

3. Swaddle Your Baby: Swaddling helps limit some of the jerky movements that occur during active sleep, which can prevent your baby from waking themselves up. Make sure the swaddle is snug but not too tight, and stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling.

4. Use White Noise: White noise can help soothe babies during active sleep by mimicking the comforting sounds of the womb. This helps them stay asleep through their lighter sleep stages.

5. Create a Calm Sleep Environment: A quiet, dimly lit room with a comfortable temperature can help reduce overstimulation, making it easier for your baby to move through active sleep without waking.

6. Stay Calm: Knowing that active sleep is normal can help you stay calm when your baby moves or makes noise in their sleep. Instead of rushing to comfort them, give them the chance to settle on their own.

Why Does Active Sleep Happen More as Night Progresses?

As the night progresses, your baby’s body naturally transitions through various stages of sleep. Active sleep (lighter sleep) tends to occur more in the later parts of the night as your baby’s body prepares for waking. This is part of their natural sleep cycle. Since newborns have shorter sleep cycles than adults, they experience active sleep more frequently, and this becomes more noticeable during the night.

So what do I want you to take away from all of this?

Try to remember in real time that active sleep is completely normal for newborns and is an essential part of their development. While the movements and noises may resemble signs of gas or discomfort, most babies in active sleep are still getting the rest they need. By recognizing the signs of active sleep, you can avoid unnecessary interventions and help your baby get the sleep they need.

And if you need some extra help with figuring out your baby's sleep - grab my Ebook about it right here!