6 mo crying in sleep

[OneLittleHopper]

Since he was about 5mo, DS has been crying in his sleep most nights. It usually happens around 2-3 hours after he has gone down for the night (he generally goes to bed around 7) - sometimes just a little moan but quite often a proper full-on weep that will last a few minutes. He's definitely asleep and settles back down fairly quickly but it's all a bit disturbing. Sometimes he does it a few times in the night - last night it happened three times, and tonight he did it half an hour after we put him down. It doesn't seem to be related to how well he's slept in the day/whether he's teething, though it seems to have got worse since he started wriggling round the cot at night. Could it be bad dreams? And is there anything I can do or is it just a phase? He is a good sleeper otherwise.

(Have been lurking for a while but this is my first post - would very much appreciate reassurance!)

My DD still does this at 19months! She also lets rip with awful screams but is sound asleep.

I used to just stroke her tummy, head, back to soothe her. I think it must be dreaming (probably me moving the biscuits away!) because she isn't in pain. I just leave her now as nothing I do makes an difference and I can def tell the difference between awake and asleep crying.

She laughs in her sleep too so it isn't all bad!

DD1 does this too. I can hear her talking in her sleep now too (she's just 2), when I feed DD2 in the night (their rooms adjoin), it's sweet- Mummy...Daddy...Teddy...Mouse...!!

I wouldn't worry. If it disturbs you, maybe consider moving him to his own room (if you haven't already).

PS good move putting your first post here and not in AIBU!!

So nice to hear I am not alone! Although sounds like there is a long road ahead...maybe if he branches out into sounds other than crying it will be a bit less harrowing (I love 'mouse'!!)

He is in his own room, but as it's right next door to ours and the walls aren't of the most soundproof construction it's quite hard to miss.

Both mine did this. Soemtimes it is when they go from one sleep cycle into the next. Ds1 is 4 now and still gibbers when he is dreaming! If your lo stays asleep, don't worry about it.

My DD (15m) has always done this, although she has recently stopped being able to settle herself which is a bit annoying as she was doing so well. The time she generally has her cry has changed too, it was always around 9 or 10pm, and now it's more like 2 or 3am. We've never been quite sure why she does it though

My DS 15 mts does it too- very loun full on howling from out of nowhere. Usually between sleep cycles in the early/mid part of the night. Nothing can predict what makes it happen more or less often and we have got used to it. He is better left to it as it only lasts about a minute and he settles off again by himself. Glad to read all the posts on here with similar issues.