Discover why babies and toddlers move during sleep. An expert breaks down sleep cycles, self-soothing, and how to support healthy sleep habits. Parents often notice their babies or toddlers tossing, turning, or shifting positions during sleep. While this can seem concerning, it’s usually a natural part of their development. But why do children move so much while sleeping? An expert explains that these movements are linked to how sleep cycles work in young children. From learning self-soothing to adapting to growth spurts, there’s more to nighttime wiggles than meets the eye. Read ahead to explore the science behind sleep movements as the expert shares practical tips for parents and reveals how these patterns help kids grow. babies start moving through sleep cycles of 45-60 minutes each,” she explains. Transitioning between these cycles requires a “breach”—a brief pause that helps them shift smoothly into the next phase. “This breach can be anything: breastfeeding, patting, rocking, or even gentle shushing. But parents can’t feed or soothe the baby all night. That’s why nature helps babies slowly learn to self-soothe.” Kids move in their sleep for many reasons—growth, brain development, hunger, or learning to self-soothe. As Dr Madhavi Bharadwaj explains, “These movements are a natural part of how babies adapt to the world.” By understanding their sleep cycles and encouraging healthy habits, parents can support their child’s development without unnecessary worry. Remember, a little nighttime wiggling is just a sign of growing up!
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025