Herbie Murray
Twitching while sleeping is a common occurrence in newborns. While it may be startling for new parents, it is usually a normal part of a baby's development. Researchers believe that twitching during REM sleep is linked to sensorimotor development, with twitches activating circuits in the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and their functions. This is supported by studies that show a link between the body parts that are twitching during sleep and the new skills the baby is displaying while awake. For example, neck twitches during sleep have been observed alongside the baby's developing ability to support their head while awake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | Twitching is very common in newborns |
| Cause | Moro or startle reflex, which babies typically grow out of around 3-4 months |
| Cause | Newborn's nervous system is not fully developed |
| Cause | Myoclonus, or benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, a disorder involving quick, repetitive muscle jerks during sleep |
| Cause | Occurs during REM sleep |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's ability to support their head while awake |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's development of new skills |
| Impact | May be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia |
| Impact | May be linked to sleep abnormalities |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's breathing patterns |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's eating habits |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's pooping habits |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's nasal congestion |
| Impact | May be linked to the baby's hormone levels |
| Action | Swaddling may decrease the likelihood of twitching |
| Action | If concerned, consult a healthcare professional |
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What You'll Learn
It's normal and often linked to development
It's perfectly normal for newborns to twitch while sleeping. In fact, twitching during sleep is very common in babies and is often linked to their development.
Twitching in newborns is usually caused by the moro or startle reflex, which they typically outgrow by three to four months. During this time, you may notice your baby's arms or legs flailing around a bit. These movements can seem mildly rhythmic or like a vibration of the limbs. They may also resemble quick, jerky movements, such as kicking and punching in seemingly random directions or opening their arms wide and then bringing them back in.
While it can be worrying for parents to see their newborn twitching in their sleep, it's important to know that these movements are usually benign and a normal part of infant development. In most cases, it's simply a sign of your baby's developing motor skills and sensorimotor system. Researchers believe that twitching during sleep helps to activate circuits throughout the developing brain, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. This is supported by studies in mammals and birds, which show that there is plenty of REM sleep during early development.
As your baby grows and develops, these twitching movements will become more natural and less frequent. By the time an infant is around two to four months old, they start producing their own sleep hormones, and the twitching usually stops.
However, it's important to monitor your baby's twitching patterns and seek medical advice if you have any concerns. While rare, there are cases when twitching can indicate a more serious issue, such as benign familial neonatal seizures (BFNS), which involve recurring seizures in otherwise healthy newborns and typically last until around one to four months of age. Additionally, if your baby is experiencing twitching or stiffening when they're awake, it could be a sign of a seizure issue, and you should consult a healthcare professional.
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It can be a response to dreams
It is common for newborns to twitch while sleeping, and this is usually perfectly normal. However, it is still important to be vigilant and seek medical advice if you are concerned.
Newborns' nervous systems are not fully developed, so they may experience twitching and jerking movements at night and when napping. These movements are often caused by the moro or startle reflex, which babies typically grow out of around three or four months. Babies may also experience twitching due to their reflexes, such as the moro reflex or tonic neck reflex.
While many parents assume that newborn twitches are responses to dreams, researchers believe that these twitches are an important part of sensorimotor development. Specifically, twitches during REM sleep may be linked to sensorimotor development—activating circuits throughout the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. This is supported by studies with mammals and birds, which show that there is plenty of REM sleep during early development. This has led researchers to think of these twitches as a way of synchronizing developing structures and strengthening neural connections.
In fact, by studying twitches in early development, researchers hope to identify sleep abnormalities that may indicate neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and cerebral palsy. For example, researchers have observed a relationship between infants' neck twitches during sleep and their ability to support their heads while awake. They have also observed twitches in the distal limbs—wrists and fingers—occurring when babies are starting to display reaching behaviours.
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It may be a reflex or the moro reflex
Newborns tend to twitch while sleeping due to various reasons, one of which could be reflexes. The medical term for baby sleep twitching is benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, a sleep-related movement condition that occurs during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. These movements are often caused by the moro or startle reflex, which typically resolves around three to four months of age. The moro reflex is a survival mechanism that causes newborns to flail their arms and legs when startled. While it may appear concerning, this reflex is a normal part of their development.
The moro reflex is one of the many newborn reflexes that can cause twitching during sleep. Other reflexes include the rooting reflex, where the baby turns towards a touched cheek or side of the mouth, and the sucking reflex, where the baby sucks on anything placed in their mouth. These reflexes are present from birth and gradually fade over the first few months of life.
The moro reflex specifically can cause newborns to exhibit jerky movements, such as kicking, punching, or opening their arms wide while sleeping. While it might seem alarming, this reflex is crucial for their development. Research suggests that these twitches help activate circuits in their developing brains, teaching them about their limbs and how to coordinate their movements.
Additionally, the moro reflex may be related to dream states. While your baby twitches and squirms, they may be enjoying a pleasant dream. These twitches can also be a way for the baby's brain to process sensory input and map out the sensorimotor system. By the time an infant transitions out of swaddling, the moro reflex, and the associated twitching, usually subsides.
While newborn twitching during sleep is typically benign, it's important to monitor your baby's overall health. If you notice twitching or stiffening when they're awake, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional as it could indicate a seizure issue. Always trust your instincts and don't hesitate to reach out to your child's doctor with any concerns.
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It could be a sign of a more serious issue
While newborn twitching during sleep is usually harmless, it can sometimes indicate a more serious issue. If you notice any of the following red flags, it is important to consult a healthcare professional:
- If your baby is experiencing twitching or stiffening when they are awake, this could be a sign of a seizure disorder.
- If your baby is not eating or feeding well, or they are exhibiting poor colour or tone (such as yellowish, bluish, or greyish skin) in addition to twitching, seek emergency medical attention.
- If your baby is having trouble breathing, such as turning blue, purple, or grey around the lips or fingernails, go to the emergency room as they may not be getting enough oxygen.
- If your baby is exhibiting periodic limb movements that resemble quick, jerky leg movements or flexing feet, it could be indicative of Pediatric Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), which can impact sleep quality and be accompanied by other medical issues.
- If your baby is experiencing twitching along with a high fever and nasal congestion, they may have a respiratory infection such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
In most cases, newborn twitching during sleep is a normal part of their development. However, if you have any concerns or notice any unusual symptoms, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance.
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It's linked to sensorimotor development
Newborns tend to twitch while sleeping, which is very common and perfectly normal. However, it can be a cause for concern for parents, especially when it does not seem right. While twitching in adults may indicate a serious medical condition, it is normal in newborns due to their physical immaturity and rapidly changing hormones.
Twitching in newborns is linked to their sensorimotor development. During sleep, the body twitches, activating circuits in the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. Researchers believe that understanding early motor and sensorimotor development is crucial for comprehending typical development and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Studies have shown that twitches during REM sleep, which dominates infants' sleeping hours, may be related to sensorimotor development. The twitches trigger activity in the spinal cord, sensory and motor areas, and the hippocampus. These twitches serve as "self-stimulation," providing sensory information to the brain when the baby is asleep. The sensory information sent back to the brain during a twitch helps wire the sensory and motor systems and allocate cortical space for different body parts.
Research on animals, such as rats, has provided insights into the functions of twitching during sleep. These studies suggest that activating certain circuits teaches babies' brains about their limbs and their functions. Additionally, studies with mammals and birds show that REM sleep is prevalent during early development, indicating that twitches may synchronize developing structures and strengthen neural connections.
Twitching patterns can provide clues about a baby's development. For example, neck twitches during sleep may be linked to the baby's developing ability to support their head while awake. Similarly, twitches in the wrists and fingers may occur when babies start displaying reaching behaviors.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is normal for newborns to twitch while sleeping. These twitches are usually benign and are a result of the moro or startle reflex, which babies typically grow out of around three or four months.
Researchers believe that twitching during sleep is linked to sensorimotor development. Twitching may help the brain to learn about the limbs and what they can do. It may also help to synchronize developing structures and strengthen neural connections.
Newborn twitches usually last from one to 15 minutes and stop as soon as the baby is awake. They typically occur in bursts of 10 seconds or less.
Newborn twitches can look like jerky movements, such as kicking and punching in seemingly random directions, or opening their arms wide and then bringing them back in. They can occur in the arms, legs, core, fingers, toes, face, eyes, mouth, cheeks, and eyebrows.
Newborn twitches are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you are concerned, it is best to speak to a healthcare professional. In some cases, twitching can indicate a more serious issue, such as benign familial neonatal seizures (BFNS), which affect about 1 in 100,000 newborns and usually go away after 1 to 4 months.
