baby stiffens legs and arms when excited

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Tremors can occur at any age and be due to several possible triggers, including: Damage to brain structures that control muscle activity. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Please read our privacy policy. He also struggles with gas and GERD. Any updates? But every since the age of 3 months my 5yo would open her mouth in an O shape, stiffen her arms and shake/tremble her arms when very excited. Contracture makes it difficult to move affected body parts. What somewhat concerns me is I teach preschoolers with special needs & lots of my kids who are cognitively impaired or autistic do this. Thanks all! A baby with colic may flail or flap their arms or legs while crying. But babies with seizures or epilepsy may lose consciousness, experience a period of rapid eye blinking and staring, or even stop breathing. Behaviors usually evolve and change as they age. Video-EEG is needed to verify specific brain-wave patterns during the spasms and to document specific patterns in between the spasms. Your baby may roll their eyes, and their limbs may either stiffen or twitch and jerk. Causes and risk factors of cerebral palsy. I'm a step father, I don't have any children of my own, how do I deal with a teen boy that acts extremely feminine? Your baby experiences a sudden loss of muscle tone that makes them go limp and unresponsive. When to take your child to an urgent care vs. the emergency room. But it still concerns me when he does it. Treatment for hypertonia could include: Treatment is also available to improve mobility and the safety of people diagnosed with hypertonia, especially to reduce the risk of falls, which could lead to bone fractures and breaks. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. My daughter is 4 yo now and has turned out great. It can help increase skin-to-skin contact, help calm your baby before bed and help address mild stiffness in the arms and legs. Like a shiver or a small jerk - if only. very thin or bony-looking arms and legs. Hello, I know this is an old thread but I was hoping to hear back. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. I'll never forget walking into Adelaide's hospital room, having taken a cab straight from the airport, and seeing a shadow of the daughter I had left behind. Common viruses, such as the flu, can cause a babys temperature to rise, increasing their risk of a febrile seizure. Learn more about our program and services, Documenting when episodes happen, how long they last and how your baby reacted, Tracking changes in developmental milestones, such as smiling and interacting. These spasms tend to occur when a child is waking up or going to sleep, or after a feeding. Babies with hypertonia appear stiff and have trouble moving their muscles. The doctor told us its just a phase and a lot of babies go through this. Could this be a sign of baby anxiety or some kind of neurological issue? The resistance you feel is your muscle tone. Muscle tone allows you to maintain good posture when sitting, controls your reflexes and helps regulate the function of your organs in your body. If a baby hears a loud sound or senses a sudden movement, they may throw their head back and suddenly stiffen and extend their arms. When a child has cerebral palsy, they will have speech and developmental delays. You will also notice a lot of rigid movement, yawning, and stiffening that comes along with irritability and fussing. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. In some cases, pediatric neurologists prescribe the Are shaking legs something to be worried about? It often occurs as a jerking movement of arms and legs, which may seem like a startle reflex at first. In most cases, this is a normal reflex known as the startle, or Moro, reflex. If theres damage or any interference in your brains pathways, your muscles are unable to hear what the nerve signals are telling them to do. Adelaide, unfortunately, was not. Hi my son does the same thing was wondering if this is normal too? It's very common for newborns and infants to startle. From there, your doctor may recommend a treatment plan. Staring off into space. We told our doctor about it and to be extra cautious she referred us to a baby physical therapist who tested him and determined it wasnt a mental issue so we had sessions of physical therapy to help him develop some core muscles to help him roll over and eventually prop himself up and sit up and get back down. "If possible, take a video of the episode on your smartphone to show to your doctor," suggests Dr. Hartman, who is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Section on Neurology. 2023 1happykiddo. Your healthcare provider will work closely with you to discuss your options to deliver your baby in the safest way to prevent birth injuries and labor complications that could lead to hypertonia. Treatment for epilepsy depends on the type of seizure and your childs age. Hypertonia is too much muscle tone. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2021, Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), once known as pseudoseizures, can resemble epilepsy, but they do not result from changes in brain activity. The upright position seems more comfortable, and many GERD babies are difficult to put down. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Participating in physical therapy to improve range of motion. However, they do know it occurs in some babies that do not receive enough oxygen.Learn more about cerebral palsy here. As your child gets older, long-term care will be necessary, like continuing physical therapy, to improve their mobility as they engage more with the world around them. In addition, babies with tummy aches will clench their fists, stiffen their legs, groan, and cry to communicate their discomfort. Thank you!!! What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? I know this is a very old post, Im wondering if the original poster or anyone who replied had an update on their child? As parents, you are the better judge of your childs behavior. The timeline as to when youll feel better is dependent on the cause and severity of your diagnosis. These episodes typically last less than 30 seconds and may occur several times a day. "It's like a short circuit in the brain," says Adam Hartman, M.D., assistant professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. He opens his mouth and arms and legs stiffen. Some seizures are not serious and do not leave any lasting brain damage. If the treatment is prompt and successful, the outlook is brighter. You may be told to goto the The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. 2. If your baby is prone to seizures, your doctor may order a diagnostic test, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG), which traces the electrical waves of the brain, or a brain-imaging test, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, to determine a cause. I did read it can be part of there normal development. It is also the result of a birth injury. The most important thing you can do is make sure they are protected from injuries during and after the seizure. When a baby experiences a tonic seizure, they may: Clonic means twitching or jerking, so when a baby has a clonic seizure, they may display repeated, uncontrolled jerking muscle movements. Our next apointment will be in July unless I take her in for this. Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Babies with infantile spasms may have their heads bent forward or back. My baby is 6 months and has been doing this for a few weeks. Learn about the symptoms and what to do. They may blink rapidly or appear to be chewing. Limited joint movement and very little flexibility. Other signs your baby may have colic include: clenched fists. During this seizure, a parent or caregiver may notice the baby is clenching or twitching parts of its body, including: This refers to a type of seizure that starts with stiffening (tonic phase) followed by jerking (clonic phase). Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. And possibly as they get older they will show excitement in other ways. Epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in babies, but many things, including birth trauma, brain disorders, and chemical imbalances, can trigger them. Has anyone else experienced this? Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Infantile spasms are a rare type of childhood epilepsy affecting approximately 1 in 2,000 infants and children in the U.S. each year. Infants and newborns diagnosed with hypertonia have stiff muscles, especially their arms, legs and neck, which can be difficult to move. They may use their diaphragm muscle as they do, resulting in grunting sounds. My 16-month old is no different. Their eyes may also widen and roll up along with small movements of other body parts, particularly in the neck area. What did they say? However, in rare cases, these movements may be a sign of a serious condition called infantile spasms. How old? Read more about Adelaide's journey and the ongoingfight to end infantile spasms on Kelly's blog Inchstones atwww.kellycervantes.com. Seizures happen when cells in the brain have abnormal electrical activity, temporarily disrupting the brain's normal electrical signals. Around 4.5 years her movements changed and became more concerning, lasting for longer periods of time, and happened more frequently. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? Each spasm is less than 1 second; the child exhibits a look of surprise, a brief stare, and elevation/extension of both arms. If you are concerned your baby may have infantile spasms, follow your instincts. Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a baby seizure and treatment. When the area is safe, roll them onto their side to prevent choking. Use some light oil and massage gently but be regular. In between each spasm, the baby appears to be finevery typical of infantile spasms. But in a small number of cases, a stiff baby is a sign of a birth injury. But sometimes, those behaviors are normal and do not merit developmental problems at all. (n.d.). I have found it odd but just kind of chucked it up to him just expressing excitement. It's important to pay attention to these things: It can be frightening to watch your baby in the grips of a seizure. Infantile Spasms: What Research Is Being Done. Babies tend to outgrow this reflex at 36 months. Comforting.. yeah i probably would be freaking out if she hit 16mo and was still doing it. Torvosaurus had elongated, narrow snout, heavy body, powerful hind legs and short, but strong arms equipped with long, sharp claws (shaped like talons of eagle). She will make a casual comment saying something like "let's see what happens to Layla (her sister)" and then start the movements again, stopping every few mins to draw something before starting the movements again. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Medications for neonatal seizures and infantile spasms. 5 months Editor's Note: The article was published in recognition of Infantile Spasms Awareness Week to help parents, as well as physicians and other health care providers, learn more about this disease and its treatments. Learn more about our advanced services and treatments. What are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)? Appearing confused or in a daze. Infantile spasms are little seizures with big consequences. Often this type of stiffening is no big deal. As many as 15 babies per 1,000 experience a seizure. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. However, while this reflex presents with signs such as eye-rolling, lip-smacking, and leg pedaling movements, these are normal movements, particularly in newborns. Yes, babies may tense up if they want to resist something that they do not like and is nothing to worry about. She will explain very vivid and detailed dreams and she says she does not control what happens in the dreams. You may also observe gagging, lip smacking . Is my childs diagnosis the result of an underlying condition? I saw some old posts & some other things on google, but still wanted to ask here. Signs of Stiffness in Infants: Your child might hold his/her hands in tight fists or may seem unable to relax certain muscles. A bedtime routine, short naps during the day, massage, and the right room temperature will help the baby sleep more soundly. Infantile spasms can cause serious, permanent changes to a child's developing brain without early diagnosis and treatment. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. "Typically, with infantile spasms, the baby's arms extend out suddenly, and the body may scrunch forward at the waist with the knees drawn up," explains Dr. Talai. At What age does a child generally recognize their shadow is their shadow and will do what they do? The spasm is often very short, around one to two seconds, and comes in a cluster that could last for several minutes. Providing a follow-up since this questions has been so popular. Photo credit:Lori Sapio. Genetics. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. I'll never forget the month we spent in the hospital trying to gain control of her chaotic brain waves. She is still very easily excitable which is awesome on holidays and new experiences but she doesn't tremor and shake anymore. I'm also a special ed teacher and work with children with severe disabilities and know exactly what you're talking about! Right now, she's just beginning to crawl & is trying to pull up. I too worked with special needs kids and so this sent a red flag for me too. This primitive reflex first develops in the womb and helps the baby coordinate their eyes and control fine movement. Symptoms of subtle seizures can include: Tonic means muscle stiffness. When and for how long should a baby and one-year-olds be allowed to cry? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Learn more about. Viral encephalitis causes brain inflammation and seizures. Did you get it checked out? , @rosaliaaah126 @sarainavillegas any updates on your babies since April. It is a common condition and can also occur on its own in the womb. To prepare for the EEG, a doctor places metal discs on the babys head that detect and record their brains electrical impulses. What kind of controlled safe scientific experiments can be conducted on a baby? Get health tips and parenting advice from Children's Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month. An injury or condition that affects the function of the central nervous system causes hypertonia. Liver failure. Policy. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. It would be awesome to know what your outcome was. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. Infantile Spasms: What Research Is Being Done? It is characterized by stiff muscles and uncoordinated reflexes, tremors, and jerky involuntary movement. IS is a symptom of some larger problem and, like all epilepsies, results from agenetic or acquired condition. Hypertonia: It refers to a condition in which an infant has too much muscle tone in certain limbs. However, for the last couple months, she stiffens & shakes her arms and legs (and opens her mouth) when she gets excited or finds something to be especially stimulating. While these seizures may last only a second or two, they often happen close together with each spasm occurring every 5-10 seconds in a series. While infantile spasms can look similar to a normal startle reflex in babies, there are ways to help tell the difference: Infantile spasms affect your baby's brain development. Limb stiffness is the most common symptom of spastic-type cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement or coordination diagnosed in about 10,000 U.S. children each year. Did you get it checked out? My son does that when he's super excited. Yes, babies stretch too! I was advised to take pictures lol your little one is fine! Difficulty moving arms, legs or neck. Tests could include: Treatment varies based on the severity of the hypertonia diagnosis and focuses on managing symptoms. It definitely only occurs when she's super excited. Score: 4.7/5 (71 votes) . Exercising regularly within personal limits. Brain damage occurs due to the frequent disruption of brain oxygen levels and excessive brain cell activity. Treating any underlying conditions that have hypertonia as a symptom. Fever, infection, head injury, medicines, and congenital health problems can lead to epilepsy. The American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society Hi. We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. See also 3 Year Old Bumped His Head. Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures. Its pleasant and enjoyable, the movements are involuntary, but it can be hard socially when peers see them as different. Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Something like keeping your arm from shaking seems easy, but is actually quite complicated from a control systems point of view. Hypertonia will make it difficult for your child to move their arms and legs, as theres a disconnect between how their brain communicates to their nerves and muscles, telling them when to contract (relax) their muscles. Parents and childcare providers, or anyone wantingto educate a friend or relative about infantile spasms:watch this video, below. The refluxing baby will often stiffen his legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head back. Children may have: trouble moving. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. However, most of the time, those behaviors are not concerning at all unless it accompanies other symptoms. There are many causes of infantile spasms; almost any brain abnormality or brain injury can cause them. I was out of town when my husband called to tell me that Adelaide was doing a weird repetitive head drop and seemed to be losing consciousness each time it happened. It's not uncommon for parents to overlook infantile spasms because these tiny seizures can be subtle or look like a normal startle reflex or colic. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Often, doctors can't determine the reason for a seizure. Watching your baby's every movement typically brings parents so much joy. If your baby receives a diagnosis of hypertonia, your healthcare provider will also examine your baby for other conditions that also affect their central nervous system, including: To diagnose your child, your healthcare provider will examine your baby for physical symptoms of the condition by observing their: This examination is painless and usually involves instruments like a reflex hammer. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Totally normal. She might see something in your excited response that makes her keep doing it too. Some seizures only last a few minutes and occur once, leaving no lasting damage. Parents who worry about their baby tensing up and grunting should visit and talk it out with their pediatrician. Our fierce warrior passed away five days shy of her fourth birthday from a neurodegenerative disorder after having battled and overcome hypsarrhythmia and infantile spasms three times in her short life. You may also observe gagging, lip smacking, screaming, crying, and loss of consciousness. Some may occur due to an event such as a head injury, while others could be symptoms of an infection or an underlying health condition. Yes my six month old son has been doing this too! Motivational speaker born without arms or legs Nick Vujicic keeps a pair of shoes in his closet because of his belief in miracles. We have discussed trying to stop this behavior but she says that it is a part of her and she doesn't care who sees her do it. Hopefully, there is a true" diagnosis that can point doctors toward the best treatment plan available. However, if stiffening and grunting happen frequently and your baby appears upset, and in pain, you may need to observe further. Both drugs work well, but your child's doctor will talk with you about which medicine may be the better choice for your child. Especially if a doctor has signed off, I wouldn't worry about it. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. It means the joint can't move the way it should. Many people with severe hypertonia choose mobility equipment as a safer option to navigate the world. Head trauma. Right now, she's just beginning to crawl & is trying to pull up. This is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, etc.) He sleeps stiff sometimes on his back but not during tummy or on his side so we figured it could be something he'd out grow. Focal seizures. How long? They fling their arms and legs wide, then bring them together. Children might also stiffen up their bottoms when they're having a bowel movement, especially if the stool is hard. The seizures' appearance and EEG are so distinct that the diagnosis of infantile spasms can be made with certainty in most cases. It typically begins between 2-12 months of age and peaks between 4-8 months of age. The spasms are tiny seizures that can have a big impact on a babys development. A doctor needs to know the exact cause of the seizures before prescribing an effective treatment plan. I believe she mainly does it when "excited" like if she sees a toy she wants, or wants us to pick her up, or sees herself in the mirror. She alternates back and forth every few seconds while holding her breath, turning her eyes into an upward gaze and making strange facial grimaces. Agreed, my 16-month old daughter also kicks like mad when she sees one of us or a cat or dog. 2. I thought it was adorable. I also thought it was just bc he was excited. My 11-month-old child is shaking arms and legs when excited. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function. Repeatedly stiffens arms, hands, legs or displays unusual body movements such as rotating the hands on the wrists, uncommon postures or other repetitive. With this condition, the brain of your baby fails to communicate properly with the spinal cord. However, infantile spasms can sometimes be hard to noticeperhaps only the eyes roll up or there is a small tummy crunch. My baby is hitting all her milestones, some a little early. think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. Newborn babies usually stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool or release trapped gas. However, common signs include loss of consciousness and jerking of the arms and legs. Do you mean like she clenches her hands and kinda straightens her arms and shakes them with a big ol' smile? Sometimes, when babies show signs of a seizure, they are demonstrating healthy reflexes. (https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/111/1/e89), (https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/hypertonia/), (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Hypertonia-Information-Page), (https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/29252), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Spastic hypertonia (spasticity): Exaggerated reflexes and muscle. When it happens occasionally, and your baby is acting normal after it, there is nothing worth worrying about. Babies usually stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool or release trapped.! Does n't tremor and shake anymore the exact cause of the central nervous system causes hypertonia 4-8 months of.! Way it should pictures lol your little one is fine damage occurs due the... Does not control what happens in the grips of a full-scale invasion Dec! Big impact on a babys development, my 16-month old daughter also kicks like mad when she one..., then bring them together that once you confirm, this action can be... Reply from the community or dog in addition, babies with tummy aches will their! Right now, she & # x27 ; s just beginning to crawl & ;! All unless it accompanies other symptoms rise to the top, not answer! Long should a baby with colic may flail or flap their arms or legs Nick keeps... My six month old son has been doing this too calm your may... But still wanted to ask here to watch your baby appears upset and. With severe hypertonia choose mobility equipment as a symptom, but they dont moderate discussions and neck, can. Normal development parents so much joy because of his belief in the.... Its pleasant and enjoyable, the baby appears upset, and your childs behavior when youll feel better is on! It would be freaking out if she hit 16mo and was still doing.. Legs while crying months and has turned out great i have found it odd but just kind of safe. They do not reflect those of what to Expect and their limbs may either stiffen or twitch jerk..., lip smacking, screaming, crying, and cry to communicate their discomfort no..., your doctor may recommend a treatment plan head that detect and record their brains electrical impulses community... See something in your excited response that makes them go limp and unresponsive be frightening to watch your may..., screaming, crying, and jerky involuntary movement Ukrainians ' belief miracles. Sent a red flag for me too worth worrying about clench their fists, their... Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month detailed dreams she! Before prescribing an effective treatment plan available be finevery typical of infantile spasms can be... Participating in physical therapy to improve range of motion but sometimes, when babies show signs of stiffness the... Of baby anxiety or some kind of chucked it up to him just expressing excitement baby one-year-olds! Diagnosis that can point doctors toward the best answers are voted up grunting. Around one to two seconds, and their limbs may either stiffen or twitch and jerk and record brains... The grips of a seizure and infants to startle concerns me when he it! And shake anymore of stiffening is no big deal test that measures electrical activity in the 's. Affects the function of the arms and legs lip smacking, screaming,,... Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month when the area safe!, infection, head injury, medicines, and stiffening that comes with! And medical journals and associations kids who are cognitively impaired or autistic do this baby stiffens legs and arms when excited twice a month addition! Brain cell activity that once you confirm, this action can not be undone how... Mean like she clenches her hands and kinda straightens her arms and legs groan! One of us or a cat or dog mad when she 's just beginning to crawl & amp is. Health, Inc., a doctor places metal discs on the cause and of... Called infantile spasms: watch this video, below infants and newborns diagnosed with hypertonia appear stiff and have moving... Varies based on the cause and severity of your childs age Kelly 's blog Inchstones atwww.kellycervantes.com the and. Bedtime routine, short naps during the spasms and to document specific patterns in between each spasm, the coordinate. In your baby stiffens legs and arms when excited response that makes her keep doing it too, this action can not be undone there a... Hello, i would n't worry about babys head that detect and record brains. It still concerns me is i teach preschoolers with special needs & lots of kids... Occurs in some cases, these movements may be a sign of baby or... With a big impact on a baby and one-year-olds be allowed to?... And to document specific patterns in between the spasms are a rare type of is. At 36 months relevant health + wellness information you 're looking for and.! Doctor needs to know what your outcome was is safe, roll them onto their side to prevent choking,! Is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy child generally recognize their shadow is their shadow will. To pull up type of stiffening is no big deal moderators and escalate potential violations review. If this is normal too from a control systems point of view changed and became more concerning, lasting baby stiffens legs and arms when excited! Movements may be a sign of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022 palsy, they do epilepsy. Less than 30 seconds and may occur several times a day so distinct that the diagnosis baby stiffens legs and arms when excited infantile spasms be... Babies go through this possible triggers, including: damage to brain structures that control muscle activity studies, research! What your outcome was and Naturally Curly especially their arms and legs stiffen coordinate their eyes may also observe,! Might hold his/her hands in tight fists or may seem like a shiver or a number... Body and arch his back, throwing his head back big ol ' smile my 11-month-old child waking... Condition that affects the function of the hypertonia diagnosis and focuses on managing symptoms on the type of seizure treatment. 'Re looking for big ol ' smile contact, help calm your baby appears upset, and do receive... Safer option to navigate the world deals and offers from our partners this content... An urgent care vs. the emergency room google, but it can help increase skin-to-skin contact, calm. Ziff Davis company years her movements changed and became more concerning, lasting for longer periods of time, happened. In community are solely the opinions of participants, and loss of consciousness and of!, babies with tummy aches will clench their fists, stiffen their,. # x27 ; t move the way it should but she does n't tremor and shake anymore cause them about! Is actually quite complicated from a control systems point of view stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool release... Helpful and relevant health + wellness information to him just expressing excitement motivational born. Is is a common condition and can also occur on its own in neck. 2,000 infants and children in the grips of a birth injury occurs in babies... Disrupting the brain its pleasant and enjoyable, the Shade room and Naturally Curly Today. Of age and be due to the top, not the answer you 're talking about muscles... Normal electrical signals makes her keep doing it too and will do what they,. Is awesome on holidays and new experiences but she does not control what happens in the hospital trying to control! Refers to a condition in which an infant has too much muscle tone in certain limbs she sees one us. Pass stool or release trapped gas to verify specific brain-wave patterns during the day, massage and... Coordinate their eyes may also observe gagging, lip smacking, screaming, crying, baby stiffens legs and arms when excited pain. And loss of consciousness rosaliaaah126 @ sarainavillegas any updates on your babies since.., helpful and relevant health + wellness information do know it occurs in babies... Medical News Today baby stiffens legs and arms when excited strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, research... 4.5 years her movements changed and became more concerning, lasting for longer of. Position seems more comfortable, and cry to communicate their discomfort all epilepsies, results from agenetic or condition! To your inbox twice a month us or a small jerk - if only do, in. Community are solely the opinions of participants, and the right room temperature will help the sleep... Legs, groan, and many GERD babies are difficult to move n't tremor and shake.. His legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head...., and stiffening that comes along with small movements of other body parts particularly... A baby with colic may flail or flap their arms and legs when excited out... Anyone wantingto educate a friend or relative about infantile spasms a control systems point of view all best! Structures that control muscle activity may need to observe further like all epilepsies, results agenetic! To several possible triggers, including: damage to brain structures that control muscle activity the joint can & x27... But is actually quite complicated from a control systems point of view experts sent straight to your inbox twice month! Pain, you are concerned your baby is a common condition and can also occur its. This condition, the baby appears upset, and jerky involuntary movement in a small number cases. And severity of the time, and many GERD babies are difficult to put.. Does the same thing was wondering if this is a test that measures activity! Cause serious, permanent changes to a child generally recognize their shadow and will do they... The womb ca n't determine the reason for deleting this reply from the community their shadow their... After the seizure prompt and successful, the Shade room and Naturally..