Sarah Carpenter

Babies can be restless sleepers and do all sorts of weird and wonderful things to try to soothe themselves. If they wake, noisily (and this can include crying) or are moving around a lot, they may just be going between sleep cycles, so give them a chance to settle themselves.

A baby only has two types of sleep (active and quiet

Babies spend more time in active sleep. In active sleep (of

often called REM), they move their arms and legs more and breathe less deeply. This active, lighter phase of sleep, usually at the start, is one of the big reasons it’s really important that they feel comfortable falling asleep where they are going to stay, usually in their cot or crib (as opposed to in your arms).