Flailing Arms/startling Awake

Updated on March 11, 2008
H.V. asks from Liverpool, NY
6 answers

Hi Moms,

I have a 4.5-month-old whose arms and legs are constantly in motion when he's awake and also often when he's falling asleep (kicking, thumping, punching the air). I assume it's normal? In addition to other sleep issues, he frequently startles himself awake, hitting himself in the face while he sleeps, etc. (not to mention waking us up with his thumps and bumps).

We tried swaddling him and that worked for a long time, but lately he's been working his way out of the swaddle, so I don't think it's safe to continue to use it, especially since he's in his crib now and I can't easily glance at him to see that he's still swaddled. I also figure it isn't a good idea to have his arms pinned to his sides for all of his sleeping hours.

Someone suggested that we sleep him on his stomach, but he absolutely hates that and screams if we put him down that way at bedtime.

So... my two questions: Would you say that this amount of flailing/movement is normal for a waking infant? Do you have any suggestions for dealing with his startling/flailing at night?

Thanks!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from New York on

My baby is 5 months old and used to have the same problem with waking himself up by startling. It has diminished over the past few weeks but what really helped us was putting him to sleep on an incline sleeper/positioner that has the little side bolsters that velcro into place. I'd put them on him as tightly as possible - and he liked to sleep with his arms up over his head so he looked pretty funny in this positioner... but i think the pressure on his sides mimicked a swaddle and helped him to fall back asleep after waking up. Sometimes he would wriggle "downhill" and I'd find him at the bottom of the incline in the morning, but it wasn't a safety issue at all so all was okay. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from New York on

I'm having this same problem! My 3 1/2 month-old is startling herself awake during daytime naps after about 30 minutes in the crib, and then she will NOT go back to sleep. I swaddle her (the Swaddle Me blanket and the Miracle blanket), but she is now getting herself out of both of these. If she falls asleep on the go in the carseat, she will sleep for hours at a time, but if she's in the crib, forget it! I'm hoping this issue will resolve itself soon. In the meantime, I'm just trying to be persistent. And when I'm desperate for her to sleep, I put her in a sling and "carry" her to sleep.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Albany on

Have you mentioned that to the pediatrician? I don't know that that is normal. None of my 3 boys did it unless they were excited. I think to be normal, the movements need to be deliberate vs. a flailing situation.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from New York on

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BUNDLE OF JOY!!!!!! Hi I am a baby night nurse. Try the swaddle sack that is the best he will not break out of that and first start with giving him one hand out, then both hands out as he settles himself.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Albany on

Don't put him on his stomach for napping nor for bedtime!!!!! Because of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He can be on his tummy for tummy time, when he's awake and when you're there to watch him. I think it's normal that he's moving about when awake and sounds like a very active boy....great. I'm concerned about him do that when he's sleeping. My two older boys, 3 yo and 2yo did a little bit of jumping in their sleep, mostly in the beginning of their sleep, but I have not seen it happening with them in a long, long time and my third boy, he's 5 mos and he doesn't do that in his sleep. You should bring that up to the pediatrician about him doing that in his sleep. It's normal for them to hurt themselves from being so active with his arms, but I don't know what to say about him doing that in his sleep. PLEASE check with the pediatrician. Be careful with blankets in his crib and again, no laying him on his tummy when to sleep. He will cry when tummy time, they hate that, but just keep doing it about two times a day, few minutes here and there and add minutes after awhile and that is good for building strength in the neck, back and arms and so forth and rolling over he will do from tummy time. That is why you need to be careful about blanket especially when rolling over,he will find a way to get his arms out of from underneath the blankets. Be greatful that he's active, but talk with the pediatrician about the night one. Let us know how you turned out and what the pediatrician said about that. IF you are not satisfied with their response and feel something is wrong, speak up and advocate for him and get another opinion and another one if you haveto.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.J.

answers from Albany on

I would bring it up at your next dr.'s appt, or call if you don't want to wait. They will be able to put your mind at ease. My daughter was a very active sleeper, but it went away around 4 months. I do not think it is anything to worry about.

Also there are great swaddling blankets that are difficult for baby to get out of and you can leave baby's arms unswaddled. I trust using these because since they do not come undone they do not pose a suffocation hazard. Sleepsacks are also a great idea if baby doesn't need that swaddling comfort.

A.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions