Miya Pearson
Newborns can often be seen twitching or jumping in their sleep. While this may seem alarming, it is a common occurrence and usually a normal part of a baby's development. This phenomenon is known as hypnic or sleep myoclonus, a condition where children experience spasms in their sleep, which can wake them up. It is believed to be caused by issues with dopamine and is generally considered benign. Babies have immature nervous systems, and their movements during sleep can be even more uncoordinated than when they are awake. These twitches are thought to be linked to sensorimotor development, activating circuits in the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and their functions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common reasons | Reflexes, such as the Moro reflex or tonic neck reflex |
| Immature and rapidly developing neurological systems | |
| Dreaming | |
| Less common reasons | Pediatric periodic limb movement disorder |
| Benign familial neonatal seizures (BFNS) | |
| Restless leg syndrome | |
| Hypnic myoclonus | |
| Benign sleep myoclonus | |
| Sensorimotor development | |
| Active sleep or REM sleep |
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What You'll Learn
It's a normal part of development
Newborns spend a lot of time in a sleep phase called active sleep, which is part of their natural sleep cycle and differs from adult sleep. During active sleep, babies are more likely to move, twitch, kick their legs, and make noises, including grunts and other vocalizations. This phase is when the brain is quite active, which is essential for their growth and development.
It is completely normal for newborns to jump in their sleep, and it is usually a sign of a developing brain. A newborn's nervous system is not fully developed, so they may experience twitching and jerking movements at night and when napping. As your baby grows and develops, these movements become more natural and less twitchy. It is common for sleeping babies to exhibit little movements in their legs, arms, toes, fingers, eyes, mouths, cheeks, and eyebrows. Many parents assume these are just responses to dreams, but researchers think these little twitches are an important part of sensorimotor development.
UI researchers believe that infants' twitches during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are linked to sensorimotor development—that when the sleeping body twitches, it’s activating circuits throughout the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. One of the most common reasons babies twitch in their sleep is reflexes. Babies can twitch because of their newborn reflexes, such as the Moro reflex or tonic neck reflex.
While it may seem like all this moving and shaking may be too active for a sleeping baby, our bodies naturally shift around while we sleep to keep our nerves from falling asleep. Newborns are a special case because, in addition to dream-related movements, they have the Moro reflex, which causes involuntary twitches and jerks of a newborn’s limbs. It can be a reflex in response to a sudden position change (like a crib transfer), noise, or even their own movements. The Moro reflex can be why newborn legs kick when swaddled – babies this young have an immature nervous system and can’t yet control their little bodies.
In most cases, sleep twitching is a harmless phenomenon called benign sleep myoclonus, which is no more dangerous than hiccups. Myoclonus is thought to be caused by issues with dopamine, and it usually resolves itself as the child ages. A good sign that this is benign sleep myoclonus is that the symptoms stop when the child is woken up.
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It's caused by reflexes
It is common for newborns to make unusual sounds and movements in their sleep, especially in the early newborn days. This can be alarming to witness but is usually a normal part of a baby's development.
One of the most common reasons for newborns twitching in their sleep is reflexes. Dr. Garbi states that "babies can twitch because of their newborn reflexes such as the moro reflex or tonic neck reflex". The moro reflex is a reflex in response to a sudden position change (like a crib transfer), noise, or even the baby's own movements. It can cause involuntary twitches and jerks of a newborn's limbs, and is related to their immature nervous system. Babies are born with immature yet rapidly developing neurological systems, which can cause them to twitch or move a lot in their sleep.
UI researchers believe that infants' twitches during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are linked to sensorimotor development. They suggest that when the sleeping body twitches, it activates circuits throughout the developing brain and teaches newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. Researchers believe that understanding early motor development and early sensorimotor development is key to understanding typical development and can also provide clues to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
While newborn sleep twitching is usually benign, there are some cases when twitching can indicate a more serious issue. If you are concerned about your newborn's sleep twitching, it is always a good idea to see a sleep specialist or a pediatrician for a definitive diagnosis.
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It's linked to dreaming
It is common for newborns to make unusual sounds and movements in their sleep, especially in the early newborn days. While it may be alarming to witness, it is very common and typically a normal part of a baby's development. Babies are born with immature yet rapidly developing neurological systems, which cause them to twitch or move a lot in their sleep.
One reason that babies twitch in their sleep is that they are dreaming. Although it is most common in NREM sleep, it can also occur in active sleep, or REM sleep, which is the cycle of sleep where we dream. Newborns spend a lot of time in a sleep phase called active sleep, which is part of their natural sleep cycle and differs from adult sleep. During active sleep, babies are more likely to move, twitch, kick their legs, and make noises, including grunts and other vocalizations. This phase is when the brain is quite active, which is essential for their growth and development.
UI researchers believe that infants' twitches during REM sleep are linked to sensorimotor development. They suggest that when the sleeping body twitches, it activates circuits throughout the developing brain and teaches newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. Researchers believe that understanding early motor development and early sensorimotor development is key to understanding typical development.
While sleep twitching is usually a normal part of a baby's development, there are some cases when twitching can indicate a more serious issue. If you are concerned about your newborn's sleep patterns, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
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It could be hypnic myoclonus
It can be concerning to witness your newborn jumping in their sleep, but this phenomenon is known as hypnic myoclonus, and it is usually benign. Myoclonus is a brief limb movement, or a jerk, caused by a muscle contraction. Hypnic myoclonus is a condition in which children or sometimes adults have spasms in their sleep, which can wake them up. This can be frustrating for both the child and the parent, causing a feedback loop of negative sleep experiences. However, it is important to know that this condition is generally not dangerous and often resolves itself as the child ages.
Benign sleep myoclonus of infancy (BSMI) is a movement disorder characterised by rhythmic myoclonic jerks that occur only during sleep or drowsiness and terminate upon waking. It is also known as benign neonatal sleep myoclonus and is a well-recognised syndrome. The onset is usually within the first 15 days of life, though it has been observed to begin during the first month. The disorder is characterised by bilateral, synchronous, and repetitive jerks involving the upper or lower limbs, and sometimes both. These jerks can be provoked by gently rocking the crib mattress in a head-to-toe direction, and they cease when the baby is awakened.
The cause of benign sleep myoclonus is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to dopamine rather than electrical neurological issues, which are associated with seizures. While the condition usually resolves on its own, in rare cases where a child is regularly disturbed in their sleep, the drug tetrabenazine can be used to improve their sleep quality. However, this is generally not needed, as the condition is typically benign and does not interfere with the child's overall health or development.
If you are concerned about your child's sleep, it is recommended to consult a sleep specialist for a definitive diagnosis. An EEG (electroencephalogram) can be performed, which is a non-invasive procedure that measures brain waves to ensure proper brain function. However, it is important to know that benign sleep myoclonus is typically associated with normal EEG results and is not a cause for concern.
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It's related to the Moro reflex
It is common for newborns to make unusual sounds and movements in their sleep, especially in their first few months. This is usually a normal part of their development and is not a cause for concern.
One of the reasons for these twitches and jerky movements is the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex. This is a newborn's reaction to a loud noise, sudden movement, or the sensation of falling. It is an automatic response that occurs when they feel startled, and it can also be the reflex that makes babies take their first breath.
The Moro reflex is a hard-wired response that presents itself in specific ways. A baby exhibiting the Moro reflex will suddenly arch their back, fling their arms up and out, and open their hands. They will then draw up their knees and bring their arms and fists close to their body, almost as if they are hugging themselves. This reflex usually occurs within seconds and is over as abruptly as it started. While it may be jarring for parents to witness, it is important to know that it does not bother the baby and is an indication of healthy neurological development.
The Moro reflex typically develops at birth and fades within a few months. Most parents notice their baby's startle reflex peaking in the first month and beginning to diminish around 2 to 4 months, disappearing completely by 6 months. Healthcare providers, such as pediatricians, look for the Moro reflex to ensure the baby's nervous system is functioning correctly. It is a reliable indicator of a newborn's nervous system health and is used when diagnosing or ruling out potential issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns jumping in their sleep is a completely normal phenomenon and a sign of a developing brain. A newborn’s nervous system isn’t fully developed, so they may experience twitching and jerking movements at night and when napping.
There are several reasons why newborns jump in their sleep. One of the most common reasons is reflexes such as the Moro reflex or tonic neck reflex. Another reason could be that they are dreaming. Researchers also believe that sleep twitches are linked to sensorimotor development, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them.
As your baby grows and develops, these movements become more natural and less jumpy. Myoclonic jerks happen most often from a baby’s birth up to 6 months of age. The disorder usually resolves itself as the child ages.
