Grunting and kicking during sleep

Michelle - posted on 07/02/2012

I'm not saying it's not wind problems - as they obviously make babies moan and kick out (or double themselves up) But I just wanted to tell you about my daughter. She is now age 7 and, not only does she grunt, moan and kick out in her sleep, she now sleepwalks too. She has suffered with this since she was a baby (except for the sleepwalking). I believe it to be a sleep disorder called parasomnia. She is totally unaware she is doing it. For instance, this evening she came downstairs grunting and moaning, I tried to speak to her but it just made her seem more angry so I kept silent. After a few minutes she curled up on the sofa and was sound asleep. 5 minutes later she woke up, said "I don't know what I'm doing down here - I'm going to bed" and off she went. She's now sleeping peacefully. I've learnt that the best thing to do is to do nothing other than ensure she is safe, then the episodes are over very quickly. It only happens once a night. Just wanted to mention that in case it's not wind that's the cause of the problem.

Lauren - posted on 05/21/2010

hi,
My daughter will be 3 months on sunday and does the exact same thing in her sleep. It's more common in the morning but also happens at night and every now and then when she eats. She sleeps 14 hours at night, so the only thing i could think of was that she was dreaming or just hungry but didnt want to wake up.

Angela - posted on 05/20/2010

My 12 week old daughter does the same thing! I found 'grunting baby syndrom' online...lots of info and videos on youtube. It just made me feel good to know nothing was really wrong. I noticed that it was worse when she slept on her back. Naps during the day she wouldn't do it. What has helped tremendously is the 'NapNanny" She sleeps in it everynight and now she only really grunts in the morning. She's resting much more soundly and so am I!!

Nicole - posted on 05/10/2010

its fine alot of people make noises and kicks in their sleep, its like she is having a weird dream. its not something to worry about.

Ashley - posted on 05/06/2010

it means they have wind in there belly that they cant get out try laying them on their belly rubbing their back the facial expressions will also say it

Amy - posted on 05/05/2010

My 10 week old does the same thing. He has to burp when he does it.

Carol - posted on 05/04/2010

My daughter grunts and kicks early in the morning too and it's pretty much every morning; it's just what she does! Babies can be very noisy sleepers which I've been told is normal. If she's kicking and stuff when I'm breastfeeding her I find it's because of wind; if I burp her & put her back on she settles & is fine! My nurse said that it's uncommon for breastfed babies to be constipated & at this age they don't necessarily poo every day. Sometimes the grunting can mean she is trying to poo or fart! You'll get to know the difference .. Have a look at how your little ones body moves & facial expressions can say it all!! Hope this helps

Courtney - posted on 05/03/2010

my son has been very vocal in bed since he was born and he is three months now, it can get that bad he keeps me awake in another room or i expect him to wake any moment, so im never fully asleep, he does raise his legs straightens them and stretches alot while grunting, i told the nurse he sounds like a dirty old man sometimes and she said that can be normal ha ha im hoping it will settle when his sleep pattern settles soon fingers crossed its looking good, but from what you have said my son sounds the same so it must be normal, their way of stretching and getting comfortable after bein in the same position for a while like we do

Olof - posted on 05/03/2010

My boy does that and it´s gas or he is about to poo when he wakes up. It´s normal.

Karen - posted on 05/03/2010

is it a grunt or a voice grating sound? my daughter just turned 3 months and makes a grating NNNNNN sound with her eyebrows crunched like shes mad but sleeping. other times its a cute sigh that she does constantly. breathe sigh breathe sigh. think its normal, just how your baby sleeps.

Kate - posted on 05/02/2010

My babies both grunted and moved around alot in their sleep. They can be really noisy. If she is doing it at the breast she may be trying to get more milk, my first did that when my supply was down, and I started to feed him a lot more and when my milk supply was better he stopped. There is a name for it, the lactation consultant explained it but I can't remember sorry, but try feeding more to up your supply to see if that helps.My 8 week old grunts a lot in bed when he has wind that just won't come up...just another thought.Good luck

Jayne - posted on 05/01/2010

i think it's gas, my 9 wk old girl kicks sometimes when she's feeding, and i just burp her and stick her back on and she's fine then.
if she does it at night i lay her on her belly across my belly and rub her back, sometimes she still kicks but it at least makes me feel like i'm helping a little lol

Hope - posted on 05/01/2010

It's seriously Gas for the most part. Also babies don't actually like to go poo in their diapers and they will make a grunting noise, fuss and then poop about a minute later.

Rebecca - posted on 04/30/2010

my daughter is exactly the same she makes alsorts of noises in her sleep and kicks about in her moses basket during the night but again she isnt constipated i guess its something some babies do x

Sam - posted on 04/30/2010

I'm in agreement with Laurie!!! think we've got one of those big gorgeous vocal grunting boys too!! LOL

Laurie - posted on 04/30/2010

My 12 week old son is so loud with snoring, grunting, kicking and yes....farting that it's like when we had our bulldog. Very sweet, cute, funny and as far as with my son not a problem. He's not in pain or distress just very vocal. Like his father, sister and mother. No shortage of talking in this house. He's a monster, a cute, BIG, snorting monster who apparently is going to have a lot to say. Enjoy your little one and all the sounds, I think as a mother you'll know the difference when it's a problem. You're just getting to see maybe a little of her fantastic personality to come!

Monica - posted on 04/29/2010

Hi, my daughter is 10 weeks old and does the same thing around 6:30 in the morning and it could last for a while. It seems that swaddling her helps and although I can not go back to sleep, at least I can stay in bed for 1 hour more or so.

Sam - posted on 04/29/2010

Hi! My 10 week old son is the same!! Quite disconcerting at first, but Ive come to the conclusion that its just what he does as his poos are normal and regular!! Dont think theres necessarily a problem tho - think they just make odd noises sometimes!! Funnily enough he used to make more of these sounds after his 6am feed when he went back into his basket, but I solved that by cuddling him bed with me for an hour until we have to get my daughter up for school. xx