co-sleeping and baby crying in her sleep

[MumtoLilyB]

Hello,

My DD is 5 months old and has started to cry in her sleep lately. She also seem very restless during night. We're co-sleeping (since she was born) and did not have issues like this before. She has always been a relatively good sleeper. I guess she still is, as she doesn't wake up until morning even if she seems so restless and making crying sound. But for me, it is getting tougher as I wake up with every move and sound she makes. Do you have any advice? Is this going to last for a while? Thanks

[Chocaholic]

I found my son does that every time he teeths (currently doing it now). He also does it when he has had a very busy day or is sick. I just touch his hand, without waking him, and he settles down.

[Lolli]

That's such a good question, my little one crys in his sleep sometimes too. The other night he let out a massive scream that lasted for about three seconds but when I ran in to check on him, he was fast asleep. A friend suggested maybe he is actually having the occasional nightmare... does anyone think this is possible?

[summers_mum]

My DD has whimpered, snorted, panted and cried in her sleep from day dot! Co sleeping took lots of getting used to, particularly from 4 months when there was much more crying. She's now 6.5 months and in her own room.

Since I hate getting out of bed in the cold, I've started to really pay attention to the cries at night, and am learning to differentiate between the "crying-in-her-sleep-cry" and her genuine "crying-cos-I-want-you-in-here-cry".

When I'm unsure, I creep into her room and watch her. Most of the time she is just fussing around with her 'duckie blankie' and will go straight back to sleep. I read in Elizabeth Pantley's book "no cry sleep solution" that crying in their sleep is quite normal.