Does your little one hit their head in bed? Or does they just stay in one place and rock back and forth? Do you sometimes see their head jerking from side to side? It's very normal for a new mom or dad to feel a lot of fear and anxiety when they see something like this. But let's face it, most of the time this is nothing to worry about. This is very common and normal among young babies and children, especially at bedtime and during the night.
What are these rhythmic movements?
Babies and young children show these kinds of rhythmic movements in a variety of ways. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Movements that are often seen | Relatively rare movements |
|---|---|
| Head banging: Banging the head against something like a pillow or mattress. | Body rolling: Rolling the whole body back and forth in bed. |
| Body rocking: Rocking forward and backward in the same direction. | Leg rolling: Moving the legs back and forth in a rhythm. |
| Head rolling/shaking: Rapidly shaking the head from side to side while sleeping. | Leg banging: Banging the legs on the mattress. |
Why do babies do this? What is the reason?
Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes this, but there are a few main and accepted theories.
1. Self-soothing
Simply put, the baby is rocking himself. Imagine how good and comforting it feels when you hold and rock your baby? The baby gets the same feeling from these movements. This helps them relax and fall asleep .
2. The developing nervous system
Another theory is that the baby's nervous system is not yet fully developed, so it is unable to control such movements during sleep and bedtime. This is also a normal developmental step.
So is this a disease? A dangerous condition?
Here's the most important thing. You can't tell if a baby is sick just by seeing these movements. About 60% of healthy babies and children show these movements by 9 months.
Doctors consider this condition a disease, called `Rhythmic Movement Disorder (RMD),` only in two cases:
1. If these movements cause injury to the baby or are at risk of injury.
2. If these movements continue to disturb the baby's sleep .
Remember, these movements do not mean that the baby is sick. Most of the time, this is just a normal part of development.
However, very rarely, these movements can be seen in conjunction with other medical conditions. For example:
- `Autism spectrum disorder`
- Attention problems (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - ADHD)
- Sleep apnea
- `Tourette syndrome`
- `Rett syndrome`
- `Angelman syndrome`
Don't be alarmed by this list! Most of the time , babies who make these rhythmic movements don't have any other developmental or intellectual problems. If you have any doubts, it's best to talk to your pediatrician.
How long will this habit last?
Most of the time, these behaviors go away on their own by the age of 2 or 3. Some children may have them until they are about 5 years old, but that is very rare. About 5% of children with no other underlying medical conditions still have these movements after the age of 5. So keep in mind that this is most likely temporary.
When should I see a doctor?
While this is usually nothing to worry about, sometimes it's important to seek medical advice. If your baby is showing any of the symptoms below, be sure to see your doctor.
| Feature to pay attention to | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Doing it during the day too | If the baby continues to make these movements not only when going to sleep, but also when playing and when he is awake. |
| Injuries | If this behavior causes the baby to get hurt, if it causes scratches or bruises on the skin, or if you are very afraid of getting hurt. |
| Severe sleep disturbance | If your baby snores loudly, seems to stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea), or wakes up frequently because of this. |
| Developmental delays | If you are unable to control your head in a manner appropriate for your age, if you have muscle stiffness, or if you have difficulty swallowing milk or food (dysphagia). |
| Other abnormalities | If you have a tendency to not look straight into the eyes, are constantly gloomy and sleepy, or have symptoms such as fever and skin rashes. |
| If a seizure is suspected | If these movements are irregular and jerky, you may suspect a seizure. |
Your doctor may recommend a sleep study (polysomnogram) or an EEG (Electroencephalogram) to check your baby's brain activity, if necessary, to rule out other medical conditions.
What can I do to stop the baby from doing this?
If the baby isn't harming you, you don't really need to do anything . Don't even try to stop it. It's a normal part of his development.
However, if you are concerned that your baby may be injured, you can take these safety measures based on medical advice:
- Putting the baby's mattress on the floor.
- Keeping the crib or bed away from the wall.
- In very severe cases, the doctor may recommend a protective helmet to wear while you sleep.
As a parent, it's normal to feel uncomfortable and scared when you see your child shaking their head and shaking their body. But remember, most of the time your baby is not in any pain, he is doing something to comfort himself. So don't panic, just keep an eye out for the warning signs mentioned above. If you have the slightest doubt or fear in your mind, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- It is very common and normal for babies to hit their heads and kick their bodies.
- This is often a self-soothing activity that the baby does and helps them fall asleep.
- This behavior in most children disappears on its own by the age of 3-5 .
- You only need to worry about this if the baby is injured or if it severely disrupts their sleep.
- If you have any doubts, fears, or notice any of the above-mentioned risk factors, consult your pediatrician immediately .
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