The child flinches during sleep - when to worry

There are a lot of babies who have just been born sleeping. This is important for their development and health. In a dream, a child can move his arms and legs, smile, laugh and make faces, grunt and flinch.

If the child flinches frequently, this can cause anxiety in his parents.

Why do flinches appear?

REM sleep phase

It is known that the phases of sleep are divided into rapid and slow, that is, shallow sleep and deep sleep. In babies in the first months of life, this is slightly different.

Rather, their sleep can be divided into active and calm. Most of the time is occupied by active sleep.

The child's sleep phase lasts 20-30 minutes, between phases he can wake up, this is accompanied by flinching, throwing up his hands. Usually, it is enough to shake and stroke it a little so that the baby goes into the next phase of sleep without waking up completely.

By 2.5-3 months, the baby will have a real deep sleep, about which they say "sleeps like a baby."

If after 4 months the startle remains, the child wakes up from fright - you need to show it to a neurologist.

Uncomfortable posture

The baby may twitch in a dream to get comfortable. Perhaps clothes, a diaper, a blanket are jammed under it, something presses somewhere.

Straighten your clothes, turn your baby over to help him sleep more peacefully.

Uncomfortable temperature

Even for the smallest, the rule is that the room temperature should not exceed 22 degrees Celsius.

For the child to be awake, 20-22 degrees is enough, for sleep - 19-20. The kid needs to be dressed enough, but not overdo it, in a dream - to cover.

If the child has a constantly red bottom under the diaper, it means he is overheated.

Sometimes parents interpret flinching as a reaction to cold, but in fact, it is often a reaction to the fact that the baby is hot.

Do not be afraid that the baby's legs and arms will be a little cool - this is normal for children's thermoregulation (if the child is healthy and does not have a temperature).

If the child is warm in the neck and back area, it means he is not cold.

Also try to monitor the humidity level in the room so that dry crusts do not form in the baby's nose, which will interfere with sleep and make breathing difficult.

Wet diaper

Some babies flinch when they urinate in a diaper. This does not mean that something hurts them.

Perhaps at this moment the baby is just half awakened from the desire to go to the toilet.

Reflex Moro

This is an unconditioned reflex in young children when they throw up their arms to maintain balance. For example, when they are put somewhere. The manifestation of the reflex also occurs in a dream.

By 4-5 months, it usually fades away on its own.

Colic

From unpleasant and painful sensations, the baby can flinch in a dream when he is tormented by gases in the intestines.

A good way to avoid this is to put him to sleep belly to belly. So babies usually sleep more peacefully.

Before feeding, you should lay the child on his stomach for at least 1-2 minutes (preferably longer). After feeding, wear it in a column.

Medicines for colic should only be given after consulting a pediatrician.

Overexcitation

The child's sleep can be disrupted due to overexcitement and excess of impressions. If the baby has seen a lot of new people, was in a new place, took a walk and did not go to bed on time - all this can affect the quality of sleep and lead to flinching.

For the first couple of months of life, it is better for him to be in his usual home environment, to walk on the street, but not to meet a large number of new people.

In addition to being overstimulated, a child can also easily pick up the virus from someone.

Neurological causes

It is worth contacting a neurologist if the child always sleeps for 20-30 minutes and no longer, even in a stroller or when swinging on the arms.

If he often wakes up screaming, scared, constantly overexcited. If a baby cries hysterically "until he turns blue," his chin trembles - all this is a sufficient reason for consulting a neurologist.

You will also be interested to read:

• What must be in a first aid kit for a newborn
• Why do kids grunt before and during meals
• Interesting facts about infant brain development