If my 16month old daughter is really tired she will do a weird twitching in the lower half of her body before she falls asleep. I know a little twitching during sleep is normal (muscles relaxing .. dreaming) but when does it become abnormal
My older son who is 9 years old twitches too in his sleep...it totally does make you wonder what is going on. It has to do with their nervous system I believe and like you said muscles relaxing. I would say keep an eye on it for now and next time you are at your peds. mention it.
Have you asked your doctor? You may want to research "restless leg" syndrome. I know of people with that and it sounds very similar.
Everybody does this from time to time.
It's called a hypnic jerk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnic_jerk
"Close to 70 percent of all people experience this phenomenon just after nodding off, according to a recent study at the Mayo Clinic. Most experts agree that this is a natural part of the sleeping process, much like slower breathing and a reduced heartbeat. The occurrence is well known and has been well documented. However, experts are still not completely sure why the body does this.".
Google hypnic jerk. I have this as well.
One of my girls used to twitch in her sleep. I never thought anything of it because my husband still twitches in his sleep sometimes. I'm not sure what is normal and what is not, but I have never heard twitching to be abnormal. I would just mention something at your daughter's next appointment.
"Hypnic jerk" is right-- it's how I used to be able to tell if my ex was REALLY asleep or just playing possum....
