Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Has anyone experienced this?
Lately (about 4 out of the past 6 nights), DS has been softly crying/moaning in the middle of the night. I look on the video monitor and he's totally in a sleeping position. At first I thought I was picking up someone else's reception.

So, I go in to his room and it's him. But he's passed out. I'll rub his back and he stops immediately.
I leave and sometimes (not all), he'll start up again. It's not a hysterical cry, but he's definitely crying/moaning. But he's still sleeping.

There doesn't seem to be anything bothering him (other than teething). Is he dreaming/sleep crying? Like sleep talking?

Anyone ever experience this?

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Posted by chikita315

Has anyone experienced this?
Lately (about 4 out of the past 6 nights), DS has been softly crying/moaning in the middle of the night. I look on the video monitor and he's totally in a sleeping position. At first I thought I was picking up someone else's reception.

So, I go in to his room and it's him. But he's passed out. I'll rub his back and he stops immediately.
I leave and sometimes (not all), he'll start up again. It's not a hysterical cry, but he's definitely crying/moaning. But he's still sleeping.

There doesn't seem to be anything bothering him (other than teething). Is he dreaming/sleep crying? Like sleep talking?

Anyone ever experience this?

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Poor little guys. I haven't picked him up yet. I do rub his back and he stops.

Soo weird.

Message edited 10/26/2009 10:57:12 AM.

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Madelyn has this happen most nights. Sleep patterns range from very light, to REM (when we dream), to deep motionless sleep. During the light sleep stages it's common to shift, moan, and even cry out. Many times there are very brief periods of waking (lasting just a few seconds).

When she cries out I give it a few minutes before going in because most of the time she's still sleeping.

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

DS has been doing this for a few weeks now. I asked a similar question Friday but didn't get much of a response.

Please let me know if you find something that helps.

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Funny, my DS was doing this last night too. If it's moaning, I wait a bit to see if he'll calm down and stay asleep.

Last night, he started crying hard and woke a few times like this. I think he might be getting his last molar, since he was coughing quite a bit in his sleep (sometimes he gets a lot of saliva with teething) and he was not interested in breakfast this morning.

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Elizabeth went through this a few months ago. I'd go into her room and she would be completely knocked out but crying. Depending on how bad it was (sometimes she'd scream ) I'd pick her up and soothe her back to sleep, or I'd just rub her back until she calmed down. I think she may have been getting her molars when this was happening, but I didn't realize it until after the fact.

I'm usually very hesitant to touch her or wake her because if I take her out of her crib it's sooooo difficult to get her back in.

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

Was there a full moon last night????

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

I am SO GLAD I AM NOT ALONE!!!! Athan has been doing this for a month now and its just frightening - for me. He either starts moaning, or crying, or the worst is screaming hysterically. He is getting molars in, not sure if it's that or if it's night terrors. I hope it stops soon. I absolutely hate it!!!!

Re: Toddlers Crying/Moaning in their sleep

the only time he ever moaned in his sleep is when he was burning a fever...this is a telltale sign for my little guy...