Do Infants Dream?
Recent studies suggest that infants likely experience dreams, at least to some extent. “Since babies enter REM sleep—the stage typically associated with dreaming—it is commonly believed that they dream in some capacity,” explains Maya Thompson, a pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of Dreamy Baby Sleep, a consultancy specializing in infant sleep solutions. “During REM sleep, the brain appears to be processing memories. While we can’t definitively know what infants dream about, it’s reasonable to assume they do.”
What Do Infants Dream About?
While we can’t ask infants directly about their dreams, scientists can make educated speculations based on their experiences. It’s possible that their dreams involve familiar sights and sounds from their daily lives or even sensations they encountered in the womb. However, it’s unlikely that these dreams are intricate or detailed.
Do Infants Experience Nightmares?
Fortunately, it seems that infants are not having nightmares during their slumber. “During REM sleep, full-term newborns often show signs like grimaces and soft whimpers,” notes Thompson. “These reactions aren’t thought to be linked to nightmares or fear; they may simply indicate hunger or a need for a diaper change. Nightmares are generally more related to development; as children grow, their dreams evolve, reflecting their expanding world—from imaginary monsters as toddlers to stressful school situations as they age.”
Sarah Williams, a certified pediatric sleep expert and owner of Sleepy Dreams Consultancy, says, “The earliest age for a child to likely experience nightmares is around 2 years, coinciding with heightened imaginative development, which peaks between ages 3 and 6.”
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Summary
In summary, while we can’t directly ask infants about their dreams, research indicates that they likely do dream during REM sleep. The content of these dreams is probably simple, reflecting their day-to-day experiences. It’s reassuring to know that nightmares are not part of their sleep experience until they grow older, as their dreams become more complex with development.
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