Babies are beautifully mysterious. We can’t stop marvelling at their tiny hands and feet and how they stretch when they sleep. We also cannot fathom why they do the things they do – their sudden chuckling, whimpering, quivering, and the list goes on. One such thing that many parents often find themselves puzzled about is why babies shake. Should they be worried, or is this normal?
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How Do Babies Shake?
Before we talk about why babies shake, here are some examples of what we mean when we talk about babies shaking.
Babies tend to suddenly shake, shudder, shiver or display movements that appear like tremors even if they are on a swaddle blanket. These happen for a few reasons.
Some babies involuntarily start to shake when they get excited, when they see someone they know or when they set their eyes on a toy they like.
Some babies quiver while nursing or when you change their diapers.
Babies even have a startle response when they open their arms and legs, and it looks like they are catching themselves from a fall. This usually happens as they are drifting off to sleep. If they don’t start screaming in terror, this is pretty adorable.
Why Do Babies Shake?
Before we go on, it would be comforting for you to know that most of the time, the reason why babies shake is nothing to be concerned about.
It’s mostly got to do with them expressing themselves or their immature nervous systems. Babies are still developing, and so is their neurological system. As such, it sends more electrical impulses to the muscles than necessary. You don’t have to be too concerned if your baby is meeting milestones and thriving.
Why do babies shake? A happy, healthy and thriving baby who shakes a little here and there is perfectly normal.
So, why do babies shake? Here are two common and harmless reasons why:
1. Learning control
You might have observed that some babies tend to shake their heads from side to side. This is simply learning to exercise control over their body. At times, they may even be imitating what you do.
Babies are also really clever. They might have noticed that they elicit a great response from you by shaking their head; this can be why babies shake!
In this case, it’s nothing to worry about, so sit back and enjoy the cute moments while they last.
2. Tired
Babies get tired and are sometimes overstimulated when you take them out for too long. As such, they may shake their head to soothe themselves. Sometimes they do so until they fall asleep.
Again, this is no cause for concern.
When You Should Worry
In some instances, there may be an underlying reason why babies shake, which warrants a visit to the paediatrician.
Autism
Repetitive movements, including head shaking, can be an indication of autism. But this must be accompanied by other signs like not making eye contact, not smiling, not babbling and not responding when you call them by their name.
If you suspect something is amiss, getting it checked for early intervention is extremely important for babies with autism.
Ear Infection
Another reason why babies shake, especially their heads, is if they have an ear infection. Again, head shaking on its own does not mean that your baby has an infection. It must be accompanied by signs such as a cold, fever and being less active than usual.
Why do babies shake? Usually, it’s harmless, but sometimes, there could be a medical cause, like ear infection.
If their inner ear is blocked, it may be a reason why babies shake as they are trying to ease themselves with the discomfort.
Why Does My Baby Shake Her Head in Her Sleep
When your baby shakes her head in her sleep, she’s probably dreaming.
Babies spend most of their time sleeping and dreaming, so if you see your baby shaking her head or twitching while she sleeps, it’s probably because she has a dream. Babies cannot control their movements during sleep, so their muscles will move without being aware of it.
If this happens regularly, you should contact your paediatrician to ensure there isn’t another reason for your baby’s head-shaking.
Baby Shaking While Sleeping
Baby shaking while sleeping is a common occurrence in newborns and infants. Seeing your baby moving around and shaking can be alarming, but it’s usually nothing to worry about.
It may look like your baby is having a seizure or experiencing a medical emergency, but this is a normal part of development. Your baby may be experiencing this type of movement as much as 15 times each hour!
This movement usually happens when your baby is sleeping, so it might not even register as unusual if you don’t realise what’s happening. The movements are caused by rapid eye movements (REM) while your child sleeps; they’re often accompanied by twitching the eyes or mouth. This is entirely normal—it’s another stage in their development!
If you’re concerned about your baby shaking while sleeping or any other unusual behaviour patterns, consult your paediatrician immediately!
What Is Startle Reflex
The startle reflex is a natural response to sudden and unexpected stimuli. It is a protective mechanism that causes the body to react quickly, without the need for conscious thought.
The startle reflex typically occurs when you hear an unexpected sound or see something you don’t expect. In these instances, your body will react with a series of involuntary movements, including:
- A sharp intake of breath
- A jump
- An increase in heart rate
- Sudden stiffening of muscles
Why Do Babies Have Startle Reflex
Babies have startle reflexes because they are susceptible to their environments. Some babies have startle reflexes that can last up to eighteen months, while others will only have them for a few weeks.
Babies have startle reflexes because they are still trying to figure out how their bodies work and how they should react to various stimuli.
The startle reflex helps babies learn about their bodies and what is safe for them so that they can grow up without having any problems with how their body works.
Infantile Spasms vs Startle Reflex
Infantile spasms and startle reflex are two conditions that have the same symptoms. Both involuntary movements occur in babies who are 3 months old or younger. Some of these movements happen when a baby is startled by an unexpected noise or movement, while others happen on their own.
Infantile spasms are also known as hypsarrhythmia, and they can be caused by several things, including brain damage, genetic disorders, brain infections, and other health problems.
Startle reflex, and infantile spasms are different because the startle reflex happens when a baby hears or sees something unexpected. The startle reflex may cause the baby to jump with his arms outstretched or tense up his body or face muscles when he’s startled, but it usually doesn’t cause any long-lasting effects on the baby’s development.
Infantile spasms tend to last longer than startle reflexes, and they can cause developmental delays in babies who have them repeatedly throughout their first year of life.
Baby Startle Reflex Getting Worse
The baby startle reflex is a common phenomenon in infants, and many things can cause it. If this is happening to your baby and you’re worried about it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Baby startle reflex happens when an infant is startled or startled by something loud. It’s normal for newborns to have this reflex, but if it gets worse as your baby gets older, that’s cause for concern.
It’s important to note other things besides loud noises can also cause that baby to startle reflex—for example, if the sound of running water reminds your baby of being born. The good news is that there are ways you can help reduce or eliminate this behaviour if it’s bothering you and your baby.
Here are some tips for managing baby startle reflex:
- Keep the area where your baby sleeps as quiet as possible so they aren’t startled by everyday sounds like music or voices coming from another room.
- If there are loud sounds like trucks passing outside or fireworks going off nearby, try using earplugs or white noise machines, so your baby isn’t startled.
- Don’t overstimulate them with bright lights or too much movement around their cribs.
How to Get Rid of Baby Startle Reflex
The baby startle reflex is a normal reaction in babies, and your baby will certainly outgrow it. But if you are bothered by your baby’s shaking, here are some things you can try to prevent startling him:
- Keep things quiet around your baby for the first few months of life. If you can’t control the noise level in your house or apartment, consider wearing earplugs or headphones when holding your newborn so that he or she doesn’t have to deal with loud noises until he or she is old enough to understand them better.
- Make sure your baby is safe. If you’re holding them and they suddenly jump, you may be able to avoid their startle response by keeping them away from things that might frighten them, like loud noises or sudden movements.
- Keep calm. If you’re nervous or anxious, your baby will pick up on it—and then they’ll startle even more! So try to stay relaxed as much as possible when interacting with your child. Breathe deeply and imagine yourself in a calm place (like on a beach). This will help keep your baby calm too!
- Gently rock them back and forth whenever they show distress (crying, screaming). This should help calm them down pretty quickly—and give both of you some relief from those pesky startles!
Why Do Babies Hands Shake
Babies’ hands shake because they are still developing their fine motor skills. This means they are learning to control their muscles and move with them. The shaking will go away as their fine motor skills mature.
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Baby Tremors
Baby tremors are a common occurrence in young children. These tremors are often harmless but can cause concern for parents and caregivers.
Tremors occur when a child has low muscle tone, which is a condition that makes it difficult for them to control their movements. The most common type of tremor is an ” intention ” or “action” tremor.
This tremor occurs when your child acts, such as reaching for something, speaking or chewing. Although this type of tremor usually goes away on its own by the time your child reaches school age, it may last longer if he has other conditions that affect his muscles and movement ability.
Other types of baby tremors may be more severe than those mentioned above.
If your baby seems to have any signs or symptoms associated with these more serious types of tremors (such as seizures), contact your doctor immediately so they can help evaluate what might be happening with your little one.
What to Look Out For
Call your doctor immediately if your baby is shaking continuously for more than 20 seconds, loses consciousness, his eyes flick from side to side, or his lips turn blue.
Do observe if the shaking is rhythmic or symmetric. These could be a harbinger of a seizure or a neurological disorder.
In other cases, which aren’t an emergency, look out for whether your child is shaking his head frequently, doesn’t reach developmental milestones or continues the shaking beyond two years of age. If he is, you should get him assessed.
There you go, mums and dads, a list of possibilities for why babies shake. It’s normal for you to panic over every tiny thing at this stage, so don’t feel bad or that you are paranoid if Google has become your best friend.
These tiny beings have an incredible amount of power over us and are capable of causing us massive worry and anxiety. It’s all part of being a parent!
Updates by Pheona Ilagan
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