Baby Crawling in Their Sleep: Is It Normal, and Is It Safe?

Usually, yes. In one study, 8-month-olds who had started crawling moved more in their sleep than same-age babies who hadn't, so a new crawler on the move at night is no surprise. For safety, focus on the setup the AAP recommends: on their back for every nap and at night, in a crib with only a fitted sheet.

Maybe the monitor shows your baby up on all fours at 2 a.m., eyes still closed, or you keep finding them in a new corner of the crib. It's a strange thing to watch, and the safety rules are simpler than you might expect.

Is it normal for babies to crawl in their sleep?

Yes. Moving more at night can come with learning to crawl. A 2025 study on sleep and crawling sums up earlier research: babies who had started crawling woke more at night than same-age babies who hadn't, and in a study of 8-month-olds, the crawlers also moved more during sleep.

Why does my baby crawl in their sleep?

It's likely tied to the new skill itself. That 2025 study describes two ideas for why sleep changes when babies start to crawl:

• Sleep twitches. Quick, isolated twitches during sleep may help the brain lock in new movement skills, and they may also be part of what disrupts a new crawler's sleep.
• Bigger days. Crawling takes more physical effort, and it can bring bigger feelings for babies and parents alike. Both may affect how wound up, tired or stressed a baby is at bedtime.

Is it safe for my baby to crawl in their sleep?

It can be, with the right setup. The AAP's safe sleep guide says that once your baby is comfortable rolling both ways, you don't need to keep turning them onto their back. What matters is a clear crib, because a baby could roll into a blanket, pillow, stuffed toy or bumper pad that could block their airflow.

Here's what the AAP recommends:

• On their back, every time. Place your baby on their back for all naps and at night, even if they don't stay that way.
• A firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. The mattress should be made for your crib and fit tightly. Nothing else goes in: no pillows, blankets, quilts, toys, bumper pads or products that attach to the slats or sides.
• A lower mattress. The AAP's baby room safety checklist says to lower the mattress before your baby can sit and to set it at its lowest position before they learn to stand. Falls are the most common crib injury, and the easiest to avoid.
• No swaddling once they try to roll. Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any sign of trying to roll over. A sleep sack that doesn't swaddle and lets your baby move freely is fine.
• Nothing weighted. No weighted blankets, sleepers or swaddles.

The AAP's safe sleep recommendations cover babies up to 1 year old, so for an older crawler, ask your pediatrician before adding anything. Our baby-proofing checklist for new crawlers covers the rest of the room.

Why is my baby rocking on hands and knees in the crib?

If your baby isn't crawling yet, it's likely a sign they're getting close. Pathways calls a baby on hands and knees, rocking back and forth, "a classic indication that crawling is imminent." The crib is one more place to practice, and here are the other signs your baby is about to crawl.

It's also your cue to check the crib. The AAP says to take down any mobile once your baby can get up on hands and knees or is 5 months old, whichever comes first. KidsHealth suggests looking for anything your baby could reach from sitting or standing in the crib, like wall hangings, pictures, curtains and window blind cords.

Why is my baby crawling in their sleep and crying?

The new skill and your baby's age can both play a part. Studies have linked crawling with more night waking, and KidsHealth's guide to baby sleep at 8 to 12 months says some babies cry in the night, then calm down when a parent comes in. That's separation anxiety, a normal stage of development at this age.

Pathways lists other common reasons babies wake up crying, including hunger, a dirty diaper, gas pain, growth spurts, illness and teething. When it happens:

• Keep check-ins short. KidsHealth suggests quietly reassuring your baby that you're there, then a soothing pat on the back and a quick exit.
• Back on their back. If you pick your baby up, lay them back down on their back.

How do I stop my baby crawling in their sleep?

You don't need to, and you shouldn't try to keep your baby in one position. KidsHealth advises against sleep positioners like wedges or incliners, and the AAP says wedges and positioners haven't been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.

What you can do instead:

• Daily floor time. Give your little explorer supervised time on the floor every day while they're awake. The AAP recommends daily awake tummy time for motor development, and here are some ways to encourage crawling.
• The same bedtime routine. Pathways says a routine lets your baby notice you're getting ready for sleep, which may help with self-soothing and relaxation.
• Drowsy but awake. Put your baby down drowsy but not asleep. Zero to Three says falling asleep on their own also helps babies get back to sleep when they wake in the night.

If the night moves come with weeks of broken sleep, our guide to the crawling sleep regression covers how long it lasts and what else helps.

When to talk to your pediatrician

Moving around at night is expected for a new crawler. Check in with your pediatrician if you notice:

• Sudden movements in clusters. Jerks that last a second or two and come one after another, often just after waking, such as the head bending forward, arms flung out and knees pulled in. KidsHealth notes these are often mistaken for startles. They're rare, but the AAP says to call your pediatrician right away and take a video if you can.
• Regular snoring, especially with pauses, snorts or gasps.
• Frequent crying that worries you. Pathways says to reach out to your baby's healthcare provider if you have concerns about frequent crying.
• Lost skills, like a baby who stops crawling or babbling. The CDC says to act early if a child has lost skills they once had.
• Sleep that keeps getting worse, or a rough patch that goes on well past the 2 to 6 weeks Pathways says sleep regressions typically last.
• Questions about the crib setup. The AAP says not to hesitate to ask.

Common questions

My baby crawls in their sleep but isn't awake. Is that normal?

Usually, yes. In one study, 8-month-olds who had started crawling moved more during sleep than same-age babies who weren't crawling yet. The AAP's basics don't change: put your baby down on their back, in a crib with only a fitted sheet.

Is it OK for my baby to sleep on their hands and knees?

Yes, if they got there on their own and consistently roll both ways. KidsHealth says those babies can stay in the sleep position they choose, and the AAP says you don't need to keep turning them onto their back. Always put them down on their back to start, in a crib with nothing but a fitted sheet.

Can my baby still use a sleep sack once they crawl?

Yes, as long as it doesn't swaddle. The AAP says sleep sacks that don't swaddle and let your baby move freely can be used as long as you want, while ones that compress the arms, chest and body should stop once your baby shows signs of rolling. Skip anything weighted.

One last note from us: for all that daytime practice, ComfyCrawlers makes a padded crawling onesie that's gentle on little knees. It's 100% organic Peruvian Pima cotton, padding included, with diamond-quilted pads at the knees, elbows and bottom. Take a look at the five colourways.