Babies make a lot of unusual sounds and movements in their sleep especially in the early newborn days.
Its not a sound but a twitch in her body.
As soon as we wake her up it stops.
What is baby sleep twitching?
The medical term for baby sleep twitching is benign neonatal sleep myoclonus.
While your baby may look squirmy and uncomfortable when twitching, they may actually be enjoying a nice dream.
What does baby twitching look like?
Baby sleep twitching looks slightly different from baby to baby.
These benign sleep-twitching episodes typically last from one to 15 minutes.
One of the most common reasons babies twitch in their sleep is reflexes.
Theyre dreaming:Another reason that babies twitch in their sleep is because theyre dreaming.
Is there any way to minimize sleep twitching?
There is no need to minimize sleep twitching in babies, says Dr. Garbi.
And always pause before you intervene.
Are they going to wake up fully or are they sleeping and can be left alone?
When should I call my doctor about my babys twitching?
We can look at the film together and decide if anything appears abnormal, Dr. Lovenheim says.
“Normal sleep twitching should stop as soon as your child is aroused and awake.
As far as other serious symptoms to watch out for?
If you’re ever concerned, your child’s doctor is there to help.
Do not hesitate to reach out to your childs doctor with any questions or concerns, says Dr. Lovenheim.
You know your child best, and it is always better to ask.
Sleep Foundation,Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus, April 16, 2022.
American Academy of Pediatrics.A Review of Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus, April 1, 2010.
Mayo Clinic,Myoclonus symptoms and causes, January 2023.
IOWA Now, What’s going on when babies twitch in their sleep?, January 2016.
National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine,Sleep hiccup, April 1988.
Lyndsey Garbi, M.D., pediatrician and neonatologist.
Kelly Fradin, M.D., pediatrician.
Jay Lovenheim, D.O., pediatrician.
