I ran from people while holding a baby I don’t have in waking life. I felt like I had to protect the baby at all costs. It made me wake up crying.
Dreams involving running and the need to protect someone, especially a baby, often symbolize feelings of anxiety, responsibility, and the instinctive desire to safeguard something precious. Given that you don’t have a baby in waking life, the baby in your dream may represent something else of great importance to you—perhaps a project, a relationship, or even an aspect of yourself that you feel vulnerable about.
Running away from people could suggest that you’re feeling overwhelmed by external pressures or challenges in your life. The need to protect the baby implies that you might be dealing with fears about failure or harm to this important thing, whether it's a personal goal, a relationship, or another responsibility.
Waking up crying indicates that these stresses are significant and may be affecting you deeply. It might be worthwhile to reflect on what aspects of your life currently feel threatening or in need of protection and take steps to address any anxieties you may have.
Overall, this dream points to feelings of vulnerability and the instinct to defend and care for something vital in your life. It may be beneficial to explore these themes further in your waking life, perhaps through self-reflection or discussing with someone you trust.