Is my 4 month old having nightmares?

[MrsHulk]

PFB is sometimes sleeping peacefully, then out of nowhere he starts screaming - full on loud screams, not whimpers/grizzles that gradually build up iykwim. His eyes are still closed, and when I pick him he seems to only wake then. He looks confused and frightened, and keeps screaming for a few minutes while I try to comfort him, then is very clingy for a while.

He doesn't seem hungry, or to need a change or burp and I can't find anything in his cot that could be hurting him.

Any ideas? Could he just be having bad dreams that frighten him and, if so, what can I do to help him?

DD used to do this. No idea why. Same age too, it went on for a few months then stopped. Only cuddles helped. Sorry!

There has long since been debate as to if young babies dream, or if they don't. No body knows. Some people firmly believe babies do dream, some firmly believe they cannot dream.

There is no proof or evidence either way so I will not speculate.

Needless to say your baby can and will wake for many reasons, often for reasons you cannot fathom. Just help get baby back to sleep, that's all you need do or worry about.

Ok, so just lots of cuddles and reassurance I guess, thanks.

My bub does this!! I've tried googling why and still non the wiser!! She does it on her day naps, never at night? Keep us posted if u find out why! My dd is 4.5 months.

My dd does this too during naps, she can be inconsolable :-( it's like someone has just jabbed her with a pin or something.

I find if I stroke her head that usually sends her back off. She is a screamer though, at everything! earplugs

Actually took PFB to the GP today as he'd started arching his back and screaming when I tried to feed him, and the GP has diagnosed silent reflux and said this will also be causing the sudden screams when he's sleeping!

It's a condition where the stomach acid is coming up his throat and hurting him, but he's not regurgitating milk (like in normal reflux) so apparently a lot of people don't recognise it. Other symptoms are coughing and having bad breath.

If any of your babies have similar issues, might be worth seeing your GP?

We have started him on gaviscon, fingers crossed!

Haha! This sounds just like my dd....such a loud cry too!!!! She crys at grandparents and practically anyone but me!! Even her dad!!

That msg was for katekoom btw! My dad had silent reflux, and has been off meds for about a month now with no problems at all, but still does this scream thing during naps?!

Dad? dd