When you observe your baby smile or move while they sleep, you might start to wonder if they’re dreaming. It’s not surprising; research indicates adults spend around 25% of their nights in REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep), which is known for producing the most vivid dreams.
It’s essential to remember that newborn babies do not possess an imagination capable of creating frightening or bizarre dreams. Instead, they utilize their many hours of rest to develop the brain and build pathways which will serve them later in life.
At least until children reach seven years old, children don’t usually have stories in their dreams – just images or ideas that have yet to take shape. According to psychologist David Foulkes’ book Children’s Dreaming and the Development of Consciousness, it isn’t until kids reach this age that they begin developing structure and narrative within their dreams.
Dr. Mindell notes that children typically don’t experience nightmares until two or three years old, when their sense of fear is more fully developed and they begin creating monsters or scary animals with their active imagination. Dr. Mindell further adds that nightmares often follow a child’s exposure to trauma such as illness or injury.
Dreaming of a baby may indicate that there is something within you which needs nurturing and attention. It could be an unfulfilled goal or dream, and the infant in your dream is trying to tell you this needs more care than you are currently giving it.
Dreaming of a crying baby may not be uncommon, but if you spot one in your dreams it could be indicative of an aspect of yourself that’s not getting the love and care it requires. It could be that part of you feels inadequate and the dream is trying to tell you this through its attempt at communication with you.
Signs that something bad is about to happen may indicate an impending event in your life, such as a failed relationship or job situation.
Dreaming about misplacing a baby may indicate you feel unprepared for an eventuality or are uncertain about something in your life. This dream offers you the chance to assess your current situation and consider if you possess all necessary resources to handle it effectively.
Dreaming about forsaking that you had a baby may indicate that you are concealing something in your life that has been neglected or no longer top priority for you. Perhaps you are rediscovering an interest you put aside or regaining proficiency at something you once excelled at.
Dreaming of a baby could symbolize creative ideas or projects currently in progress in your life. It could also suggest you are considering undertaking an endeavor which requires much of your time and energy to complete.
