Newborn twitching and other things you should know about

Baby twitching while awake!

As part of your newborn screening test, doctors also test your baby’s neonatal reflexes. Twitching and jitteriness are included in these neonatal reflex tests.

A newborn baby twitching, trembling, jittering, or moving their arms and legs around in reflex when they are asleep or awake. Full-term babies may have newborn twitching and jitteriness, but it is very common in premature babies.

These twitching moments are common because of your newborn baby nervous system, which is still developing after the baby’s delivery you’ll notice it while are asleep or awake.

However, sometimes, shaking and trembling could be signs of seizures or other health conditions.

Also, this twitching is not only for newborn and developing babies but toddlers can even experience twitching. This is caused by uncontrolled muscle contraction or relaxation.

How can we tell when your baby jitters and twitches normally or when to worry? Let us find out in the reviews our team has provided.

Normal baby twitching: Baby twitching while awake

Twitching and jittering could happen to anyone, especially newborns. This could be a quick and sudden shuddering, proceeded with stiffness that may occur during sleep.

Some adults may quote it as a “baby dream”, a happier concept instead of a seizure. In adults, we can relate to this when you start snoozing sleep and then you suddenly jolted awake.

In other medical terms, this sudden movement is called myoclonus. Myoclonus is a quick, involuntary twitching, jerking, or jittering of muscle or a group of muscles. Hiccups are one form of myoclonus.

When we are talking about newborn twitching, these are the sudden tiny jerking movements done by the baby, and they always lasts only for a few seconds. Though it happens only briefly, this also can happen repeatedly.

Your baby’s twitchy behavior is noticeable when he is sleeping. Your baby might also twitch when he is being held, startled, being moved, or surprised when hearing a sudden loud noise for example.

Jitteriness can be associated with a fine trembling movement or tremors. In the first two months of your baby after birth, it is normal and very common for babies (even born premature or full-term) to tremble, shake, or be stiffed momentarily when crying.

It is also noticeable that your baby’s arms, legs, or jaw quivers. Jittering can stop on its own, but you can also help it stop by gently holding the body part that trembles.

Sometimes, mommy can give her baby a pacifier or a cluster feeding to help him stop trembling or jittering. Some researchers believe that twitching during sleep is caused by a baby’s sensory-motor development.

READ MORE:

7 things you need to know about your newborn’s rooting reflex

“Why does my newborn do that?” 10 newborn movements and reflexes every mom should know about

Newborn Guide: Mga Importanteng Kaalaman Tungkol sa Moro Reflex o Startle Reflex

What causes twitching 

Twitching is not different with newborn babies. But there are different reasons why a newborn baby, a toddler, or an adult twitches.

Based on research on newborns, 67% of newborn babies would have tremors during their first few days after birth. Some of these babies, especially the preterm born, can be twitchy or jittery after those first days of life and that will be because for many reasons.

Natural causes

Most of this newborn twitchiness and jitteriness is not a sign of warning, and probably this is brought by the following simple and common reasons.

• Immature nervous system

Newborns have an immature nervous system that is still developing. The passageway is not fully developed, while carrying the signals from your baby’s brain to his different body parts, resulting in a twitchy or jittery action.

The jerking or twitching movement may lessen after the first few weeks of your baby’s life as the nervous system matures.

Preterm newborn babies’ reflexes would still be unpredictable, jittery, and jerky for another few months until they can catch up with the full-term born.

At a certain phase of both full-term and premature baby’s life, different body parts may twitch. During the neonatal, for example, the head and other extremities twitch. This twitching helps your baby in holding up their head, and what can their arms and legs are capable of doing.

• Normal developments during sleep

Mommies mostly experience observing their newborn babies twitch during the time babies should be relaxed: while sleeping. These napping periods and nocturnal movements (or sleep myoclonus) could be related to their developments, too.

During the different times and periods of sleep, full-term babies and preemies might time by time jerk or twitch. When the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleeping, your baby’s quick eye movements may be noticeable along with twitching.

• Startle reflex (Moro reflex)

Your baby would have jumped or twitched if they have been surprised of a sudden, like being surprised by a loud banging noise. Your baby’s whole torso stiffens up, then the arms and legs are wide open.

After a few seconds, your baby then draws back his arms and legs to their normal position. This is what we call the startle or Moro reflex.

Moro reflex can be observed during your baby’s first 12 weeks. Your baby can manage it after his 6 months old when he can now support his own head. While for preemies, this reflex might take longer to dissipate.

• Having too much caffeine in breast milk

Mommies who are breastfeeding their babies while drinking lots of caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea, or soda) might feed their babies with a caffeinated milk supply.

A small amount of caffeine won’t hurt, but an excess amount might result in your baby’s irritable condition, difficulty in sleeping, and might show signs of twitching and jittering.

You may discuss your caffeine intake with your doctor while you are breastfeeding your baby. Some studies may suggest that breastfeeding moms can only take 200-300 milligrams of caffeine a day. In addition, mommies whose babies are preemies should consider taking in a smaller amount.

Other causes of newborn twitchiness and jitteriness could also be related to medical causes, to which medical attention should be given.

Medical causes that may cause twitching or jittering:

• Low blood sugar
• Electrolyte imbalances or vitamin deficiencies
• drug withdrawal

Why toddler twitches

Toddlers or grown-up infants are very fond of extraneous activities involving the use of their developed bones and muscles.

Sometimes, toddlers can also experience twitching, even if they are awake. This twitching in toddlers is caused by uncontrolled, involuntary muscle contraction or relaxation.

This myoclonus or pediatric myoclonus occurs when your child starts a movement like walking or running or kicking a ball. These twitches might happen in response to stimuli, like flashing lights or touch. Two or more twitches can happen simultaneously.

Pediatric myoclonus is the quick, jerking, or twitching movements in your child’s muscle. These movements are involuntary or, your child has no control over them.

This may involve different causes: some could not be serious, and some are, which can be a symptom of a severe medical condition.

These twitchy or jittery movements may vary depending on how often your child experiences them, and how severe these are.

Your child could experience small twitches, but sometimes he could experience a bigger twitching or jerking movement that happens more often.

Myoclonus might affect one or two body parts, like your arms, legs, and even your head. Other types of myoclonus may be caused by a nervous disorder, like epilepsy.

Delving into the twitching or jittering of your newborn or toddler is a must. Some hospitals require a newborn reflex test to identify earlier signs and symptoms of underlying complications your baby has.

Consult your baby’s or kid’s doctor if you see signs of twitches that are not normal.

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.