Babies smile in their sleep all the time, but not many of us know why. Every baby is a little angel, so it is normal to think they see angels in their sleep. At one time or the other, a parent or caregiver must have wondered why babies smile in their sleep. This has even made a lot of parents ask “When Babies Smile in Their Sleep Do They See Angels?”
If you fall in that category, well, we have got you covered. In this article, we will tell you why babies smile in their sleep and all you need to know. Ensure that you read this article to the end so that you do not miss any information.
If you are as curious as I am, let us get started to enable us to understand why a baby would smile in their sleep! And also question when babies smile in their sleep do they see angels?
When Babies Smile in Their Sleep Do They See Angels?
Although we all love to believe babies smile in their sleep because they see angels, there is no scientific proof to this. It is very common for a baby to laugh or smile broadly after waking up from sleep. But on many occasions, they smile and laugh in their sleep also.
The literal interpretation of this is that they are dreaming of something pleasant. Again, that is not often the case. Then what is?
Well, let us face the fact; no parent or caregiver experiences worry when their babies smile during sleep. To be candid, it is one of the most beautiful sights to behold. But if these babies are not seeing angels, why then are they smiling in their sleep? Let us find out more.
Reasons Why Babies Smile in Their Sleep
According to scientific evidence, there is no such thing as a baby seeing angels when they sleep. Below, we have highlighted the reasons experts claim are responsible for a baby to smile in their sleep. Let us discuss them one after the other.
5 Reasons Why Babies Smile in Their Sleep
1. The Baby is Developing Emotions
Sleep time is the most important time in the life circle of a baby. This is because the growth and development of vital organs take place when a baby is asleep. Smiling is also a sign that the baby is developing in the right way.
Apart from this, all the activities that occurred during the day when the baby was awake replay in their mind when they are asleep. The activities that spark emotional responses from the baby will cause them to smile.
So, when you see your baby smiling in their sleep, know that it is a sign of healthy development of their emotions and response to physical activities around them.
2. When the Baby is Passing Gas
This is funny, right? But this is so true. Have you ever grinned to yourself mischievously after passing a silent gas? Well, the same goes for babies also – and it can be truly funny.
As you know, farting can be relieving, and when a baby passes gas, they feel relief and relax better. So, this can break a smile in them – especially when they are below four months old.
3. Experiencing a Reflex Smile
According to medical reports, babies begin to smile from the womb. Yes, from about 25 to 33 weeks of gestation, a baby can experience what is generally known as a reflex smile.
What this means is that there is actually no reason behind the smile, so the baby is basically not reacting to anything. The smile only occurs as a result of a reflex action. This can also be experienced after birth.
So, when you see babies smile in their sleep, it may be a reflex smile. One way to know a reflex smile is when the baby smiles and the face immediately return to normal. If the smile is short-lived, then chances are that it is a reflex smile.
4. REM Sleep Cycle Smile
REM refers to Rapid Eye Movement. REM sleep circle usually begins about 90 minutes into your sleep. This can trigger some physiological changes in the baby and instigate reflexes that would cause the baby to smile.
During this circle, your baby may be recalling a moment earlier from their subconscious. Or they may be in dreamland, causing them to smile in their sleep.
5. Medical Condition
In a situation when you notice that your baby is smiling awkwardly during sleep or appears to be struggling with a spasm, you should consult a doctor. If the baby is having other symptoms like weight loss and uncontrolled irritability during their sleep periods, it could be a result of an underlying medical condition.
In such a situation, it is advisable to consult a medical professional that has been examining the baby. However, such medical conditions are rare, amounting to about less than one percent. But if you are in doubt and concerned that something is wrong, you should consult a medical expert immediately.
Different Types of Smiles in Babies
There is a difference between why babies smile in their sleep and their types of smiles. I found this out recently, but I would be happy to discuss it in this session.
Yes, babies have different types of smiles, which can be as a result of different reasons. So, when next you see your baby smile in his or her sleep, one of the types of smiles listed below has occurred. Again, let us check them out together.
3 Types of Smiles in Babies
1. Social Smile
As babies grow, they develop both emotionally and psychologically. So, you would notice that they tend to react more to social activity. When you notice that your baby has developed a social smile, consider it a social milestone, and feel free to mark it out on your calendar or diary.
Babies usually develop a social smile around the third to fourth months. To encourage this habit, you should smile and interact with them more often.
2. Reflexive Smile
There are tendencies for babies to experience reflexes, especially during the first few days to weeks of delivery. However, this type of smile is not a reaction to anything and does not relate to any past activity.
In essence, this is a gesture that doesn’t have any emotional attachment or significance. As a matter of fact, babies experience reflexive smiles in the mother’s womb from about 25 to 33 weeks of gestation. This type of smile is also experienced in babies during the REM sleep circle.
3. Responsive Smile
As the name rightly indicates, this type of smile occurs in response to a sensory experience. Unfortunately, many people mistake this type of smile for the social smile, but they are clearly different.
The responsive smile is in response to what the baby senses, so it is not emotional like the social smile. Like the others, this type of smile is also a clear indication that the baby is developing healthily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Should I Be Worried If Baby Smiles in Sleep?
Answer: Under normal circumstances, there is no need to panic when you notice that your baby is smiling in her sleep. For anything, it is a sign that the baby is developing well and able to react to reflexes and social activities around them.
However, if you notice that your baby is smiling too often during sleep, also, if struggling with what appears to be spasms, you should consider speaking to a medical adviser. In rare cases, this can be as a result of an underlying health condition.
Question 2: What Does it Mean When Babies Smile in Their Sleep?
Answer: Babies can smile in their sleep for different reasons, but it all contributes to a proof of their development. A baby’s smile can be as a result of social activity, reflexes, or a REM sleep circle. On many occasions, a baby is likely to smile because they are recalling activities that transpired during the day.
Question 3: When Babies Smile in Their Sleep Do They See Angels?
Answer: There are many beliefs that babies see angels in their sleep. Frankly, this is an interesting analogy for us to adopt. But there is no scientific proof of this, and for all we know, babies smile in their sleep in response to certain triggers, some of which being those which happened during the day.
Question 4: How Can I Make My Baby Smile?
Answer: When you notice that your baby is able to respond to social activities around them. It is often advisable for parents and caregivers to try to engage them more often to make them smile. To achieve this, try laughing or smiling at their faces and getting firm eye contact.
You can also try to mimic funny faces with eye and tongue movements. If your baby can respond to these gestures and break a burst of laughter, it is a big sign that they are developing in a healthy way.
Conclusion
Babies are angels – but they do not see angels when they sleep. Well, who needs to worry about your baby seeing angels when they are angels themselves? A smiling baby is always a beautiful sight to behold, and except on rare occasions, there is no cause for panic when you see your baby smile in their sleep.
