Toddler Making Weird Jerky Arm and Wrist Movement??

Updated on September 30, 2013
M.M. asks from Bellingham, WA
6 answers

My 13 month old DS is making some really strange movements. He straightens out one arm with his wrist flexed backwards (while standing). Only his left arm. (normally the other arm is holding onto the couch.) He only does it for a couple seconds, and he also grunts/whines while doing it. Or he holds his breathe while doing it. He makes a face that seems like he's uncomfortable, and sometimes cries after. Does anybody else's child do this? Should I be worried? I will talk to his pediatrician asap, but right now our insurance is lapsed, and does not go back into effect until the 1st, so I cannot take him until then. (Of course, if I thought his life was in danger, I would go anyway.) He has been diagnosed with reflux, and has not taken his meds for a few days, due to the insurance. Maybe it's his way of dealing with reflux pain? The wrist flexing is the really weird part. Any ideas? Thanks moms!

Note** It is somewhat similar the way he acts when pooping as far as the noises and the breath-holding, but he doesn't ever do the arm movements when he poops.

Oh, and I forgot to add, he sometimes tilts his head when doing the arm movements as well.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

This is definitely something to talk to his doc about, and until you have insurance, no huge changes are too likely to occur. You could make an appointment now for next week, though. And if possible, take a video clip with you, and perhaps a diary of how many times a day you see it. Mysterious symptoms have a sneaky habit of disappearing at the doctor's office.

This could be so many things. A kink in his arm muscle, or in a joint. Neurons firing in the brain. Early signs of Tourette Syndrome. Let us know what you learn. I wish you the best.

1 mom found this helpful

M.C.

answers from Pocatello on

I would at least CALL the doctor, explain your situation, insurance and everything and see if he needs to come in now or not. Whatever is going on it is giving him pain, and that is not a good thing. If it was my baby I would look for a free clinic, or pay out of pocket to take her in... chances are your new insurance will reimburse you later. If your baby has a mild sniffle, sure- wait a few days... but if the baby is in pain, and you don't know what it is you need to find out quickly!

Good Luck!
-M.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from San Francisco on

My 8 month old just started doing this 2 days ago... He will straighten out his left arm and bend his wrists back and he often but not always, involuntary tilts his head towards his left shoulder at same time while bending his wrist. I have seen him do his right arm and wrist as well but no head tiling to the right.

Would love to know what your Dr. accessed?

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R.W.

answers from Portland on

I would call and ask for advice from the pediatrician office. Explain your situation with your insurance and ask their opinion if you should bring him in right away.

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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

It's possible that he's doing it just because he can - he's learned a new way to flex his arm - it's stange and a bit uncomfortable, perhaps, but it's new and he's trying it out. He may be bummed that it hurts a bit when he flexes like that because otherwise it's a cool new trick.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Is he going to poop, when he does that?

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