Babies flailing arms before sleep

scornwell717 · February 2016

Why is it that babies do this? My daughter is 8 weeks old and flails like crazy any time I lay her down to go to sleep. I try to ignore it for the most part but sometimes she gets so worked up that I have to talk to her and let her know I'm right here. Anyone have any tips for dealing with this?

Edit: not JUST flailing arms, but also freaking out and being restless in general.

MssyMmmy · February 2016

I heard this was a startle reflex due to an immature nervous system. My baby is 7 weeks old. He still does this, has these weird quick leg twitches and chin quivers like he is cold. It is supposed to be gone by the time they are 3 months. It's just so frustrating when they are already asleep and startle themselves awake. Apparently they have that feeling like they are falling when in REM sleep. Not sure if you've experienced this but I have and it makes sense they throw their arms up like that.

nickicb7 · February 2016

Have you tried using a swaddle or a swaddle sac. My LO startles herself awake if her arms aren't swaddled in. We use the Halo Swaddle Sac and it keeps her much more calm and helps her fall asleep easily!

Blueyedsky · February 2016

It gets worse when they're overtired; maybe try bed sooner??

scornwell717 · February 2016

@MssyMmmy yes she gets startled all the time when she's sleeping! So does all that squirming and carrying on just mean they are trying to put themselves to sleep?
@nickicb7 I do swaddle her but I've been leaving her arms out since she was about 2 weeks cause she loves sleeping with them above her head! Every time I tried to swaddle her with arms in they would always manage to find their way out

nickicb7 · February 2016

@scornwell717 I had a similar situation with the swaddle blankets and so I started leaving her arms out as well, but then I noticed she wasn't sleeping well because of the startle reflex. So I switched to the sacs which hold their arms in so much better than the blankets. Now she sleeps much better!

MssyMmmy · February 2016

I just think they are still lightly sleeping. I was reading an article about whether or not babies dream; it said rather than dreaming their brains are on over drive pruning neurons and developing. Once they are old enough to understand reality and a sense of self, when they are older they start to dream. That's why it is important they sleep so much in the beginning because it is important for development. It is also why they are constantly moving all the time. There is just so much happening in their brain and nervous system all at once. It's pretty cool actually.

Becky012016 · February 2016

LO does this too. During the day when he's napping I think the reflex is cute. Then when I put him down for the night, it's not cute anymore lol

scornwell717 · February 2016

@nickicb7 I do have a swaddle blanket, I'll have to try it tonight! Maybe I've been doing it all wrong haha

danasphillips · February 2016

It's very normal and due to an underdeveloped nervous system. Swaddling should help. Good luck!

scornwell717 · February 2016

Thanks for all the advice ladies!

ekscopp · February 2016

My LO does this too and constantly knocks her pacifier out then gets upset. So frustrating!! The swaddle me's have been a life saver at night to help her sleep better!

teachmegs817 · February 2016

@ekscopp My son does this too! The swaddle me is what we use, and we love it.

scornwell717 · February 2016

@ekscopp that's so funny, one of my daughters pacifiers has a handle on it and sometimes she'll grip onto it and pull it out and then cry! Looks like we will definitely be using our swaddle me tonight!

BelleZBoo · February 2016

Let me know how it goes, @scornwell717

My son does the same thing (especially when over tired as PP said). We have a Swaddleme but I've been hesitant to use it as he seems to like his arms free.

ChrissyD1203 · February 2016

On the baby sparks app one of the things they have you check for is that baby raises her hands like to give a hug when she is startled so maybe it's a good thing. My baby does it too.

Blueyedsky · February 2016

YouTube the "double swaddle method"!! It's perfect! Only way my little girls arms stay in.

scornwell717 · February 2016

Update: the swaddle me WORKED! I don't know if she happened to just be super tired or what, but I am definitely using it again tonight. Thanks girls!

Rach8672 · February 2016

Are most people swaddeling during the day too ?
We only swaddle at night with arms out too lol

I have also noticed when I put her down in the RNP she will wave her arms all around lol but doesn't cry. I think it's partially her trying to figure out her surroundings and develop depth perception. She looks like a mime !

Becky012016 · February 2016

we don't swaddle during the day and we use a sleep sac at night with his arms out.
@Rach8672

nickicb7 · February 2016

@scornwell717 glad it worked for you!!! Yay.

We we don't swaddle during the day. Swaddling, bassinet, and darkness is what makes our nighttime routine so she knows the difference between night and day. During the day she sleeps in her stroller, swing, pack and play or our arms. Wherever she crashes really.

krrpe99 · February 2016

We swaddle during the day sometimes. DD rarely naps, but when she's in desperate need of one, I'll swaddle her up and she naps ever so slightly better. I'm hoping she'll grow out of this phase quickly.

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