Infantile spasms often start when a baby is 4 to 7 months old. Just lately my 15week old has started stiffening his legs when changing him and when playing on his mat. Is this normal? When a baby stiffens their legs, it is not usually a reason for concern. I think it's a stretching thing? It is possible to stop kids from clenching their legs if moms become patient during a diaper change. Babies with this disorder will have extreme reactions to loud noises and unexpected movements or touches. "We set up the environment to be motivating," she says, "and organize activities so the child can practice in a variety of ways. Just wait until your little one starts locking his/her legs an, Honestly was just going to post about this exact thing lol I thought my LO would be the only one who does this , No. My 4.5 month old just started this too! X, Alfie has started lifting his bum up for me to let me put a clean nappy on, then finds it hilarious when he does it again just as I get the nappy in the right place! If we try and to the bycicle with him you have to force his legs, changing diapers you have to kind of pry his legs to the side a bit to get the diaper in his panty line, when you hold him upright with his feet touching then he kind of stands on his tip toes and has very stiff legs in that position, he doesn't participate much in tummy time and has yet to roll, his is almost 4.5 mos old. 2015. Is it normal to have a hard time to bend them? Hypertonia causes babies to move differently due to a limited range of motion in the joints. Hypertonia information page. So, without losing patience, take a deep breath for a moment and work on effectively distracting your kid. Mine does this too. It will save you time. If you are a mother of a big kid or a toddler, then by now, you must have already started to hate changing diapers. :-). The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Love it when he snuggles up on me like this tho. While babies muscles must contract in order for them to move and sit up straight, too-tight muscles are less flexible. RF HR65HM - Funny little baby wearing a nappy playing with his legs in nursery. Do: "Kneel down to a lower surface or use a higher . In the following, we will discuss more about why babies tend to stiffen up during diaper changes and on other occasions. The good news is that many babies with hypertonia can be treated with physical therapy. Others lead to poor balance. Before applying any diaper changing techniques to your kids, you should first know the reasons behind the tantrums. Children might also stiffen up their bottoms when they're having a bowel movement, especially if the stool is hard. Meet other parents of May 2014 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow. You need to cover your babys face with your hand or a piece of small cloth. It is often paired with stiffening of the legs and arms as well. Hi, I'm Ashley Potter. Limb stiffness is the most common symptom of spastic-type cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement or coordination diagnosed in about 10,000 U.S. children each year. Sometimes you can distract them by giving them something usually forbidden to play with. Treatment with medication is important to prevent serious complications like epilepsy, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. The nerves may not receive those messages if the brain or spinal cord is damaged. Then use your ring finger and little finger to keep the other leg. Any idea what this is? 5. But if the stiffness lasts longer than brief episodes of discomfort or annoyance and starts to restrict your babys movement, it might be time to contact a doctor or physical therapist. Mild cases of hypertonia are often treated with physical therapy and stretching exercises. This will help soothe those stiff muscles. For example, you could change her diaper after every nap she takes every day. Baby Pushing Bottle Away But Still Hungry, How To Make Your Baby Stop Grinding Teeth. Typically, a diaper rash looks like a patchwork of red, parched skin. Is this normal? Loosen the tabs of dirty nappy and fold them back. What you need is a Sharp elbow to pin her down and learn to change nappy at high speed. The dose for an adult person is 1 capsul. There are many causes for an infant to be stiff and most of them resolve over time. https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/hypertonia/ [Accessed February 2022], Cincinnati Children's. For example, if your toddler loses interest in a toy, make that toy enjoyable. Gather the supplies you need: diapers, wipes, baby powder/cornstarch, diaper cream if necessary. But in other cases, a baby stiffening their body or arms and legs can indicate a problem. He didn't seem to worried but it was with doing my own research I found out what he was "slightly concerned about". Hypertonia is also a symptom of cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, and kernicterus (jaundice). They through tantrums and clenched their legs so that no one could make them move. This lets you clean underneath. A newborn infant will often cry because they are experiencing mild pain. They stay contracted. As an infant? Does not reach up . Rigidity is hypertonia that is characterized by stiffness even without movement. As mentioned, stiffening of the legs during diaper changes is a very common and normal thing that babies do. Stay close to your baby for up to 20 minutes after a nappy change to give continued support. Our responsibility as parents is to look out for and support our kids. The severity of hypertonia can also vary. Do not just say that Oh, you are a good kid because such mere words will not encourage her. Often, babies will need a diaper change soon after each feeding, but you'll usually know due to the smellor you can simply take a look. Boston Children's Hospital. Their legs get cold, they dont like having their legs picked up, and they anticipate the coldness of the baby wipe. How do I examine rigidity and spasticity? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Muscle tone is the amount of tension, or resistance to movement, in our muscles. Tell her that it is good behavior and encourage her to do this often. Clean your baby's genitals and bottom with cotton wool and water, or with an unscented wipe. 2014. This has only started in the last couple weeks..she will stiffen her legs right up and make it impossible for us to lift her legs and wipe! In these cases, babies are always unusually stiff. If your child is not reaching their milestones or exhibiting any of these symptoms, it is important to consult their pediatrician. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Grunting is a very common thing that babies do for a variety of reasons. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. By joseph / July 16, 2022 November 3, 2022. A too-tight nappy can also cause nappy rash. All of these situations are perfectly normal. Also, you can use powder before a diaper change to keep that area of your babys skin fresh. After a nappy change: safety and washing Never leave a baby unattended on a change table. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds. Toddlers seem to be more irritated during diaper changes when they have hit the age of potty training. We just went to her 4month appointment last week and pedal wasn't concerned. Roll your loved one back toward you onto the diaper. Babies stiffen their legs during diaper changes for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is that it is an uncomfortable and stressful time for them. So, do not force your toddler to change her diaper just after she wakes up from sleep. 2021. If your baby cries when changing diaper, it might simply be the case that they're bored. Use warm water and cotton wool, reusable wet wipes, or baby wipes to clean your baby's nappy area. Concerned about your child's development? It is a matter of having great patience, and without patience, toddlers are impossible to deal with. Sorry OP, I hope your LO is fine and nothing is wrong with him. They might struggle to move, maintain their balance, and release the hold of anything theyve clutched. Because your cold voice never calms down your toddler, he might become more stubborn. Use some light oil and massage gently but be regular. So, to keep your child distracted for a more extended period, you need to change your methods frequently. That means the specific toy that is on his current favorite list. However, they are different, and hypertonia is often a byproduct of Stiff Baby Syndrome. Sometimes, such as during diaper changes, this occurs at the most inconvenient moments. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Massages, joint compressions, and practicing normal movements are also common parts of treatment. Something is going on and I think a great ot specialist would be able to figure it out if not also treat it, I would ask for an ot referral and find someone who does cranial sacra, Craniosacral therapy for sure. In spastic cerebral palsy, a brain abnormality sends signals to the body that overactivate certain muscle groups. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 2021. Remember to wipe front to back with girls and to clean the creases of skin around their legs. Any idea what this is? It will help the baby catch your comments and get a mental setting about a diaper change. Anyone experiencing this?? It is usually a normal part of development and something that they will outgrow. This practice might result in yeast infection in babies body parts and make them sick. Newborn babies with this condition may have difficulty with mobility and flexing. Clean your baby's nappy area thoroughly. However, if the stiffness exceeds temporary moments of pain or frustration and begins to hinder your babys ability to move, then it may be time to see a professional. It is not easy for parents to potty-train their children. 2003. When they are stimulated, such as when they are lifted up or see something that makes them happy, they may, nevertheless, do the reverse and stiffen. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed for adults with cerebral palsy, but they're rarely used in toddlers because they cause drowsiness. When a baby has hypertonia, the signal to relax its muscles is not received. The most common type is spastic cerebral palsy, which causes muscle stiffness. If you are concerned that your baby does have a birth injury, read on, and we will discuss them in greater depth. These are steps that will help you hold your babys legs safely. When we move our limbs, our muscles contract and relax. These rare seizures look like a sudden stiffening of the baby's arms, legs, or head, which may also jut forward. Barbaralove 24/01/16 Anyone experiencing this?? 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Totally normal. Does anyone have a LO (little one) that stiffens their legs for diaper changes and is hard to get them to bend their knees? RF 2GGNCK6 - Organised nappy stash in an open drawer. Often this type of stiffening is no big deal. 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