Herbie Murray
It can be alarming to see your newborn jerking in their sleep, but it's a common occurrence that is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, it's often a normal part of your baby's development. During sleep, your baby's nervous system and neurological development may cause them to twitch or move a lot. This is known as benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, and it's characterised by involuntary muscle jerks that occur multiple times while the infant is sleeping. These movements most often occur in the arms, legs, or core, and they immediately stop when the baby wakes up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Myoclonic jerks occur multiple times while the infant is sleeping |
| Age | Babies, especially newborns |
| Cause | May be triggered by repetitive noises or rocking |
| Cause | Could be related to development, dreams, or common reflexes |
| Cause | May be linked to sensorimotor development, activating circuits in the developing brain |
| Cause | May be benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, a condition considered harmless |
| Cause | May be benign sleep myoclonus, which is usually harmless |
| Occurrence | Occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep |
| Occurrence | Occurs during quiet sleep |
| Occurrence | Occurs in the arms, legs, core, or face |
| Occurrence | Involves muscle groups on both sides of the body |
| Occurrence | May involve the whole body |
| Occurrence | Movements are short-lived |
| Occurrence | Stops immediately once the infant wakes up |
| Occurrence | May be more common during active sleep |
| Occurrence | May be more common when the baby is swaddled |
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What You'll Learn
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus
The condition is considered harmless and resolves on its own, usually by 3 months of age, although in some cases it may continue beyond this period. It is not due to serious neurological injuries or abnormalities, and no long-term residual sleep or neurobehavioral difficulties have been identified. However, without measuring brain waves, it may be difficult to distinguish benign neonatal sleep myoclonus from epilepsy.
Understanding benign neonatal sleep myoclonus is essential to alleviate parental concerns and prevent unnecessary neurodiagnostic testing. While it can look dramatic, it is a benign condition that does not cause any harm to the infant's health or development.
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Neurodevelopmental disorders
Newborns experience twitches during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a sleep stage that dominates infants' sleeping hours. During REM sleep, motor areas in the brain generate seemingly random, brief, jerky movements in the face and limb muscles. These twitches are believed to be linked to sensorimotor development, activating circuits throughout the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and their functions.
Twitching during sleep is a normal part of a newborn's development and is not a cause for concern. However, in some cases, it may be a symptom of an underlying neurodevelopmental disorder. Researchers are studying the relationship between sleep twitches and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. By understanding the patterns and abnormalities in sleep twitches, they aim to develop diagnostic tools for these disorders.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus (BNSM) is a sleep-related movement disorder characterized by fast, repetitive jerks of large muscles, such as the arms, legs, and torso, during sleep. It is considered a harmless condition, and the jerks resolve upon waking, with no long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. However, without measuring brain waves, it can be challenging to differentiate BNSM from epileptic seizures.
In summary, newborn jerking during sleep is typically a normal part of development, but in some cases, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition. If you are concerned about your newborn's jerking, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
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Active and deep sleep stages
Newborn babies typically experience two distinct sleep stages: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During the first few months of life, newborns spend roughly equal amounts of time in REM and NREM sleep. REM sleep, also known as "active sleep", is characterised by rapid eye movements and small bodily twitches or jerks. These movements are believed to be linked to sensorimotor development, activating circuits in the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs and their functions. NREM sleep, on the other hand, is often referred to as "quiet sleep" and is associated with deeper, more restful slumber.
As newborns progress towards the three-month mark, their sleep patterns begin to evolve. They start experiencing three stages of NREM sleep, resembling the sleep architecture of adults, which consists of four distinct stages. The first two stages of NREM sleep are considered lighter sleep, from which it is relatively easy to awaken the baby. The third stage is the deepest and most restful sleep, characterised by very slow brain waves and high amplitude electroencephalography (EEG) readings. During this stage, it is extremely challenging to rouse the baby.
While newborns spend approximately half of their sleep time in REM sleep, this proportion decreases as they grow older. By the time they reach three months of age, babies typically experience the same four sleep stages as adults, albeit with some differences in duration and sequence. For instance, babies enter REM sleep almost immediately after falling asleep, whereas adults typically take around 90 minutes to reach this stage.
The twitching and jerking movements observed during REM sleep are believed to be a normal part of a newborn's development. These movements may be more pronounced in certain conditions, such as benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, which is characterised by significant involuntary muscle jerks. However, these movements are generally considered harmless and are not indicative of seizures or other disorders.
Understanding the sleep stages and patterns of newborns is crucial for parents and caregivers. It helps them establish healthy sleep habits and identify any potential sleep disturbances or underlying issues. By recognising the signs of sleep readiness and creating a consistent bedtime routine, caregivers can promote better sleep quality and overall development in newborns.
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Newborn reflexes
Reflexes are involuntary movements or actions. Some are spontaneous, while others are responses to specific actions. They are a way to determine if the brain and nervous system are functioning correctly. Some reflexes only occur during specific developmental stages.
Rooting reflex
When the corner of the baby's mouth is touched or stroked, the baby will turn their head and open their mouth in the direction of the touch. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to feed. This reflex lasts about four months, after which the baby will be able to suckle without needing to root.
Sucking reflex
When the roof of the baby's mouth is touched, the baby will start to suckle. This reflex is not fully developed until about 36 weeks into pregnancy. Premature babies may have a weak or immature sucking ability.
Moro reflex
Also called the startle reflex, the Moro reflex occurs when a baby is startled by a loud noise or sudden movement. The baby will throw back their head, extend their arms and legs, cry, and then pull their limbs back in. The Moro reflex can even be triggered by the baby's own cry. This reflex usually lasts until the baby is about two months old.
Fencing reflex
When a baby's head is turned to one side, the arm on that side will stretch out, and the opposite arm will bend at the elbow. This reflex lasts until the baby is about five to seven months old.
Grasp reflex
When the palm of a baby's hand is stroked, the baby will close their fingers in a grasp. This reflex lasts until the baby is about five to six months old. A similar reflex occurs in the toes and lasts until nine to twelve months. This is also called the walking or dance reflex, as the baby will appear to take steps or dance when held upright with their feet on a solid surface.
Sleep twitches
Twitches during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, are common in newborns. They are linked to sensorimotor development, activating circuits throughout the developing brain and teaching newborns about their limbs. Sleep twitches are believed to be important for typical development and can provide clues about neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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Sensorimotor development
During the sensorimotor stage, which lasts from birth to around age two, newborns rely on their senses and motor abilities to gain a basic understanding of the world. They use their innate abilities, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, along with developing physical capabilities like touching, grasping, and tasting, to interact with their environment and build awareness. This exploration and manipulation of their surroundings help newborns develop their cognition and refine their skills.
Twitching during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is believed to be linked to sensorimotor development. These twitches activate circuits throughout the developing brain, teaching newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. For example, researchers have observed a relationship between infants' neck twitches during sleep and their ability to support their heads while awake.
Understanding early sensorimotor development is key to comprehending typical development and can also provide insights into neurodevelopmental disorders. By studying sleep twitches, researchers aim to identify sleep abnormalities associated with conditions like autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy, with the ultimate goal of maximizing sleep quality during a crucial stage of brain development.
Additionally, sensorimotor development involves the ability to make predictions about the sensory consequences of actions. This predictive coding allows the brain to gradually build skills upon existing ones, with low-level functions serving as the foundation for higher-level functions. Through trial and error, exploration, and perception, newborns refine their sensorimotor skills and adapt their responses to different situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns are very jerky and twitchy, and this is usually perfectly normal. It is often a sign of a developing brain and nervous system. Researchers believe twitching is linked to sensorimotor development, with the sleeping body activating circuits throughout the developing brain and learning about its limbs.
Sleep twitching is very common, and most instances are perfectly normal. Babies are born with immature but rapidly developing neurological systems, which can cause them to twitch or move a lot.
The most common causes of newborn sleep twitching are reflexes, development, and dreams. Newborn reflexes include the moro reflex and the tonic neck reflex. Twitching is also believed to be part of a baby's development, with researchers suggesting that twitches help newborns learn about their limbs and what they can do with them.
While newborn sleep twitching is usually harmless, there are some cases where it can indicate a more serious issue. If you are concerned about your newborn's twitching, it is important to speak to a medical professional. Myoclonic jerks, which happen most often from birth up to 6 months of age, can sometimes be a symptom of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus or, in rare cases, epilepsy.
