Have you ever walked in to check on your peacefully sleeping newborn, only to be taken aback by their half-open eyes? This startling yet common occurrence has parents questioning whether there is something amiss. As terrifying as it can look, a sleeping newborn with open eyes is completely normal and more common than you might think. This guide will answer all your questions about this fascinating sleep habit and help you determine when it's normal and when a doctor's visit might be needed.
Is It Normal for My Baby to Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Yes, as unbelievable as you might think this claim to be, it is actually quite a normal phenomenon in newborns to sleep with eyes open, or partly open. The medical term for this condition is nocturnal lagophthalmos, and it occurs in about 20% of people, including infants. This sleeping trait is a normal developmental variation and is most often inherited, so if you or your spouse slept with eyes open as a baby, your baby might have inherited this tendency and do the same.
Most parents are concerned when they observe their baby sleeping with eyes open, but researchers have found that the habit does not typically interfere with sleep quality or indicate any development issue. In fact, it's one of the many interesting abnormalities of infant sleep patterns that gradually change as your baby's nervous system matures.
Is It Harmful for Babies to Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
For most babies, sleeping with their eyes open is harmless. In rare cases, prolonged exposure may lead to mild eye dryness or irritation-but this usually resolves on its own.
According to research published in the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology in 2018, prolonged exposure of eyes during sleep may occasionally lead to:
- Dry eye symptoms
- Minor eye irritation
- Increased sensitivity to light upon waking
While sleeping with eyes open is generally harmless, parents should watch for signs of eye irritation such as excessive tearing, redness, or the baby rubbing their eyes frequently after waking. These symptoms might suggest that intervention could be beneficial to protect the eye surface during sleep.
Why Does My Baby Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
1. Immature Nervous System
Newborns have immature nervous systems, which regulate involuntary functions like blinking and eye closure during sleep. Their nervous systems are still developing, so they may not yet have full control over their eyelid muscles, leading to partial eye closure during sleep. As development continues and nervous system matures, they tend to have more control over these actions, and eyes remain tightly shut when asleep.
2. Active Sleep (REM Stage)
Babies spend about 50% of their total sleep time in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, a stage of active sleep where their brains are highly active, and their bodies may twitch or move involuntarily: The brain is highly active at this point, consolidating information, solidifying memories, and stimulating development. And during REM sleep, babies will move their arms, legs, and facial muscles involuntarily, including opening their eyes slightly.
Because newborns sleep in shorter cycles and spend more time in REM sleep than adults, their eyes can remain open more often while they sleep.
3. Family Trait or Genetic Link
Others acquire the habit of sleeping with eyes open from their parents. If you and others in your family used to do the same as babies, then your baby would probably have the same habit by nature, as mentioned above. It's not a sign of a problem but simply a hereditary trait that tends to heal itself over time.
4. Fatigue or Overstimulation
An overtired baby may struggle to transition between wakefulness and sleep. If babies are overstimulated close to bedtime because of bright lights, loud noises, or over-play, they may drop off suddenly without totally closing their eyelids. They will relax but their eyelids won't comply fully. It occurs more with babies who are not settling well into a sleeping routine.
5. Underdeveloped Eyelid Muscles
Newborn eyelid muscles are less strong than those of older children and adults. A few babies have a bit less control over their eyelids, which prevents them from being able to close their eyes tightly at night. As their muscles get stronger, this issue corrects itself.
6. Lagophthalmos (Incomplete Eyelid Closure)
In most infants, sleeping with their eyes open is a normal developmental phase that resolves as their nervous system matures. However, persistent or extreme cases could be linked to a condition called Lagophthalmos, which may have an anatomical or neurological cause. If the issue continues beyond 12 months and causes discomfort, a pediatric evaluation may be needed.
7. Medical Conditions (Rare Cases)
Though most cases of sleeping with eyes open are harmless, some health conditions occasionally can be the explanation:
- Rare facial nerve disorders – Nerve damage or congenital disorders might impair eyelid function.
- Thyroid disorders – Certain thyroid disorders can impair eye movement and eyelid closure.
- Eye conditions – If your infant's eyes frequently are dry, red, and irritated upon rising, they possibly have an underlying condition for which he must have a physician examined.
What Can You Do If Your Baby Sleeps With Their Eyes Open?
While this is not typically a necessary condition to treat, here are some light measures you can take if you're concerned about dryness or irritation in the eyes:
1. Lightly Close Their Eyelids
If your baby is sleeping with their eyes open, you can lightly close their eyelids with a soft touch. Be careful not to wake them up in doing so.
2. Maintain Proper Room Humidity
Dry air will dry out the eyes. Installing a humidifier in the nursery may maintain moisture at the best level. The Momcozy Sound Machine features a built-in humidifier function together with soothing sounds to promote quality sleep. Its remote control via an app allows you to customize without disturbing your sleeping baby.
3. Optimization of the Sleep Environment
Ensure the sleep environment is comfortable by keeping the room slightly dimmed during day naps and night sleep. This reduces potential irritation from exposure to light under half-opened eyes.
4. Comfortable Sleeping Clothes
Keeping the baby comfortable may promote deeper sleeping, which may reduce the frequency of eyes-open sleeping. Momcozy Baby Pajamas are designed using soft, breathable fabrics that ensure temperature regulation and optimal comfort, which may lead to better sleep quality overall.
5. Consult a Pediatrician
If you are concerned about frequent dryness of the eyes, your pediatrician can recommend preservative-free lubricating eye drops specifically formulated for infants.
When Will My Baby Stop Sleeping With Their Eyes Open?
The good news is that most babies outgrow this sleep trait naturally. Most babies who sleep with their eyes open will naturally outgrow this habit between 6-12 months as their nervous system matures, though some may stop even earlier, as their nervous system matures and sleep cycles become more regulated.
The typical timeline for this development is:
- 3-4 months: Some improvement may be noticed
- 6-8 months: Significant reduction in frequency
- 9-12 months: Most babies will stop, though occasional occurrences may still happen
As babies develop more mature sleep patterns around 4-6 months of age, we typically see a natural reduction in open-eyed sleep. This coincides with other sleep developments, including longer sleep stretches and more predictable sleep cycles.
When Should You See a Doctor About Your Newborn Sleeping With Eyes Open?
While sleeping with eyes open is usually harmless, certain circumstances warrant medical attention:
1. Signs of Eye Irritation
- Persistent redness
- Unusual discharge
- Excessive tearing
- Visible discomfort or frequent eye rubbing
2. Accompanying Symptoms
Seek medical advice if open-eyed sleep occurs alongside:
- Unusual facial movements or expressions during sleep
- Irregular breathing patterns
- Difficulty waking
- Extreme sensitivity to light upon waking
3. Family History of Eye Conditions
If there is a family history of thyroid disease or eye conditions, mention your baby's sleeping with eyes open to your pediatrician, as certain medical conditions may at times be associated with this feature.
As defined by scientists, the majority of infants with nocturnal lagophthalmos are benign, but those that remain beyond 12 months or have visible signs of irritation warrant assessment by a pediatric ophthalmologist to exclude any condition.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Baby's Unique Sleep Journey
Babies sleeping with eyes open may be startling at first, but it's mostly normal and offers insight into their neurological development. Usually resolving around their first birthday, these half-open sleeping eyes aren't cause for concern—they're simply part of your baby's development journey. Please respond with calm reassurance rather than alarm. This temporary phase, like many in babyhood, will become a cherished memory to share years later: "You used to sleep with your eyes open, as if contemplating the universe while asleep."
