Active sleep is the lighter, REM-like stage of infant sleep in which a baby twitches, makes little noises, breathes irregularly and moves their eyes under closed lids. Newborns spend about half of their sleep in this stage, and it is completely normal.
Key takeaways
- Babies move, grunt and sometimes open their eyes briefly in active sleep, but they are still asleep.
- Active sleep alternates with quiet sleep in short cycles.
- The share of active sleep falls as the baby grows.
Why do babies move so much in active sleep?
Twitching, grimacing and irregular breathing are signs of a busy, developing brain rather than discomfort. Because baby sleep cycles are short, a baby moves between active and quiet sleep many times a night and may stir briefly at the end of each cycle.
What you can do
- Wait a moment before picking your baby up when they grunt or squirm; they may still be asleep.
- Keep the room dark and quiet so brief stirrings do not turn into full waking.
When to talk to your doctor
If your baby's breathing pauses for long periods, looks laboured, or their lips or face turn blue or grey, call your local emergency number.
Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence of that; twitching is a normal feature of active sleep.