Do Babies Not Like to Sleep During Storms? Causes & Solutions

Rehman
March 3, 2025
BABY, KIDS, TODDLER
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Understanding Infant Sleep Disruptions on Bad Weather

Babies also have extremely sensitive sleep cycles and several parents complain that their infants cannot calm down when it’s storming. The ‘’do babies dislike sleeping during storms’’ query is also frequent for first-time parents who are repeatedly waking up during bad weather conditions involving heavy rains thunderstorms and lightning. Babies react more to the change in surroundings which means more fussing sleep troubles and nighttime arousal.

This guide will explore why babies react differently to storms, how various storm elements impact their sleep, and the best solutions for how to sleep in a thunderstorm while ensuring a baby’s rest remains undisturbed.

Why Do Babies Struggle to Sleep During Storms?

Knowing why “do babies not like to sleep during storms” involves taking a closer examination of how their emerging sensory system sleep cycles and environmental factors all play a role in nighttime disruptions.

1. The Effect of Loud Sounds on Infant Sleep

One of the largest reasons that babies have trouble sleeping during a storm is because of their response to unexpected loud noises, especially thunder. Babies have a startle reflex or the Moro reflex which makes them flail their arms and wake up suddenly when they hear loud startling noises.

Younger babies and newborns are particularly susceptible to being startled by thunder because of their underdeveloped nervous system.
Thunderclaps are abrupt and intermittent in contrast to white noise which is constant and calming.
Infants in lighter stages of sleep (REM sleep) are more prone to waking up completely alert upon hearing storm sounds.

2. Changes in Atmospheric Pressure and Ear Sensitivity

In addition to loud noises, storms involve changes in air pressure that can disturb a baby’s sensitive ears. This is akin to the discomfort experienced in airplane pressure changes:

Sharp barometric pressure drops can result in mild ear pain or discomfort resulting in fussiness and crying.
Babies with ear infections or teething pain may become more uncomfortable during storms.
Some babies with sensory sensitivities might respond more intensely to changes in the weather.

3. Sensitivity to Lightning and Sudden Light Changes

The sensory effects of storms—lightning illuminations darkness and unexpected brightness in a dark room—can interrupt sleep. Babies are different from adults in that they are not used to abrupt changes in the environment which makes them more apt to be awakened when lightning shines through.

Babies younger than six months may be unable to distinguish between night and day yet sudden brightness may awaken them.
Lightning flashes that cut through curtains or blinds interfere with melatonin production and therefore sleep becomes more difficult.
Blackout curtains and white noise are useful aids to reduce the impact of thunder and lightning during sleep.

4. Drops in Temperature and Changes in Humidity

Temperature drops and humidity changes often accompany storms and result in wakefulness and discomfort for infants.

Cold drafts or high humidity levels may create an uncomfortable sleep setting which may cause night wake-ups and crankiness.
Temperature drop suddenly can lead to hunger cues resulting in night waking among younger infants.
Proper sleepwear and temperature regulation can facilitate easier adaptation for babies.

How Do Storms Influence Baby Sleep Patterns?

The query ‘’do babies not like to sleep during storms” can be attributed to their developing sleep patterns and natural survival reflexes. Babies sleep differently from adults and outside interruptions make it more difficult to fall back asleep.

1. Infant Sleep Cycles Are Lighter and Shorter

Babies get more REM sleep which is lighter sleep and easily wake up when disturbed. In contrast to adults who can switch back into deep sleep, babies require external calming to sleep again.

When thunder during a storm interrupts REM sleep, a baby may wake up completely and have difficulty falling asleep again.
Four-month sleep regression babies are more susceptible to wakings due to loud noises.

2. Emotional Contagion: Infants Pick Up on Caregiver Stress

Parents might be unaware that babies are extremely responsive to caregiver emotional states. When a parent worries about a thunderstorm the baby can tune in to this worry and become more wakeful.

When a parent hurries into the room stressing or worried the baby will connect storms with stress and worry.
It is possible to decrease storm-based distress in babies by staying calm and reassuring in a storm.

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How to Help a Baby Sleep During a Storm

While storms are unpredictable, parents can take proactive measures to help babies sleep peacefully even during bad weather. If you’re wondering how to sleep in a thunderstorm when caring for a baby here are effective sleep strategies:

1. Soundproof the Nursery with White Noise

One of the best ways to prevent thunder from waking a baby is by using continuous background noise to mask sudden loud sounds.

Use a white noise machine that produces steady sounds like rain or fan sounds to mask thunder.
Steer clear of music or irregular sounds as they don’t provide the same calming effect as white noise.
Place the source of white noise close to the baby’s sleeping area to effectively mask the sound.

2. Mask Lightning with Blackout Curtains

To keep light flashes from interrupting sleep, make sure the baby’s room is pitch black:

Blackout curtains efficiently exclude lightning and streetlights.
In the event of a flickering shadow caused by the storm apply a dim nightlight to achieve an even illumination that avoids instant light exposure.
Darkening the room to its fullest possible extent is conducive to maintaining undisturbed melatonin secretion during sleep.

3. Have a Comfortable Room Temperature

Since storms trigger temperature and humidity fluctuations, the most stable sleeping environment must be preserved:

Hold the room temperature between 68-72°F (20-22°C) ideal for baby sleep.
Use a humidifier or fan to control air quality and avoid stale or extremely dry air.
Dress the infant in light-layered pajamas to adapt to temperature changes.

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Helping Babies Sleep Better During Storms: Soothing Techniques and Expert Insights

In the last section, we learned why “do babies not like to sleep during storms” and how thunder lightning temperature drops, and air pressure shifts can interfere with a baby’s sleep. Now we’ll discuss soothing measures, long-term solutions, and expert-approved methods to enable babies to sleep soundly even on gloomy days.

If parents are looking for “how to sleep in a thunderstorm” with an infant, it is necessary to establish a soothing stable environment that reduces storm-related disruptions.

How to Calm a Baby During a Storm

Even when the optimal sleep space is maintained through white noise blackout drapes and thermostat control, babies sometimes still wake up frightened or anxious. These are the ways to soothe a baby in the middle of a storm and with minimal interruption of sleep.

1. Use Soft Touch and Skin-to-Skin Contact

Babies can become stressed or uncomfortable during a storm because of the noise from thunderclaps or changes in weather pressure. Skin-to-skin contact is a strong mechanism for stress reduction (cortisol levels) and inducement of calm.

Patting the baby gently on the back or having him/her skin-to-skin regulates heart rate and breathing.
Swaddling younger babies can help suppress the Moro reflex which usually results in frightened wake-up calls during storms.
Rocking swaying or wearing a baby carrier can offer additional comfort and security when storms are noisy.

2. Talk in a Gentle Reassuring Tone

Babies are highly attuned to the tone of their caregivers. If a baby wakes up weeping as a result of a storm speaking in a soothing and reassuring tone can stop further distress.

Don’t sound anxious since babies also sense parental anxiety.
Use a gentle rhythmic voice to say things like “You’re safe, it’s just rain” to comfort them.
Humming or singing lullabies creates a consistent soothing sound that counteracts sudden thunderclaps.

3. Introduce a Comfort Object

For babies older than six months, a comfort object such as a stuffed animal or blanket can provide a sense of safety when storms occur.

The comfort object must be employed regularly, so the infant will link it to safe comfortable sleep.
If lightning flashes are disturbing, a soft nightlight can prevent startling responses to sudden brightness.
Babies must be permitted to carry their comfort objects when returning to sleep after having awakened from a storm.

4. Have a Regular Bedtime Routine

A consistent sleep pattern is necessary to make babies feel secure even when the weather outside is uncertain. If the baby has the same pre-sleep signals night after night, the baby is less likely to wake up completely during storms.

Make bedtime consistent with soothing activities like a warm bath reading a book or gentle music.
Dim lights can avoid waking from sudden flashes of lightning.
If the storm is very intense maintaining the baby’s bedtime routine calm and uninterrupted helps reinforce a sense of normalcy.

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Final Thoughts: Ensuring Restful Sleep During Stormy Nights

For parents asking themselves “If do babies not like to sleep during storms”, sensory sensitivity, and sudden noise disruption are often the causes of wakefulness. White noise, blackout curtains, and a routine can help babies adapt.

If you’re having trouble with “how to sleep in a thunderstorm”, preparation, comfort, and reassurance are the answers to getting a good night’s rest—rain or shine.

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