Active Newborn

I understand why you'd be concerned, but at this young age, I don't think it's possible to make a diagnosis like that. Some babies are more squirmy than others and they're just born that way.

My girls always moved around a lot, kicking, arm movements, etc. I believe that it thrills them to move around a lot and I dont believe it has anything to do with anything, just something they have discovered and it pleases them.

I think that's totally normal (in fact, a good sign) for that age. My daughter was the same way. They're just discovering their arms and legs and moving them around a lot. It's actually good because it can help them move gas out a lot better. I wouldn't worry about it!

C.,

I truly think you are very pre-mature in worrying about ADHD. You should worry if your child DOESN'T move alot......

Enjoy this wonderful age and stop worrying!

~J.

Hi C., I have three children and they all moved their arms and legs alot and very spastically I might add and none of them have ADHD. I am not a professional, but I would think that 2 months is too young to detect ADHD. I actually have not observed an infant that didn't move their arms and legs quite frequently. I would be more concerned if they didn't. You can always check with your pediatrician. Good luck.

C.,
newborns move around a lot. A LOT! They do this because it strengthens their muscles and helps them learn control, it's like practice. Some babies are more active then others. I'm not sure how you'd diagnose ADHD at 2 months. Babies are only capable of focusing a short period of time at this age anyhow. Personally, I don't think you have to worry about this yet.

Do you swaddle? Because at this early stage of 2 months, there may be alot of movement due to no swaddling.

Hi C.,

Don't worry...it does appear odd at times when you see your little nubbin squirming all over, but new babies don't have good motor control and are developing muscle coordination. It is totally normal to be squirming and flailing around most of the time. A very helpful book to get is "The Baby Book", by Dr. William Sears. He's great. But don't hesitate to call you pediatrician with questions also. All the best.
A.

C. - it is very normal for a two month old to move arms and legs a lot - he is figuring things out and it actually shows he is quite advanced! My 4 month old loves to pump her arms and legs and gets very excited by the whole thing - very normal.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! He is only 2months old and his major systems are still developing, especially his nervous system. He probably likes to stretch out. Think about how long he spent in your belly all squished up. It might feel good to him. My son is 11 weeks old and he has loved to move around and stretch since he was about 4 weeks old. I am also an elementary school teacher with experience with children with ADHD. Don't even think about that, especially now. Enjoy your active little baby and help him to explore the new world around him.

Hi C.,
I have two sons that were very active. Both were very active while pregnant. Both were very active babies. One has ADHD, one does not. My son was 5 before he was diagnosed with ADHD. I would relax, try not to worry, but keep track of his traits as he grows, and share them with your doctor. The more history you have, the easier to diagnose. Good luck, you'll both be fine...

Hi C., I WOULD NOT vaccinate my child again until this clears up. It might be a sign that the vaccines are causing neuroligical damage. Your Pediatrician argue against it. Stay strong and fight for your child's brain.

Jackie,

Newborns don't have much control over their limbs and muscles. That's why we have to support their heads. :) My almost 9 month old was similar but he would whip his head from side to side. It freaked me out at first but as he got older, it stopped.

ADHD isn't something that is usually diagnosed until children are a good bit older. If you are concerned though, you should call your pediatrician but personally, I would say it's normal. Wait til he startles himself out of his sleep and the arms and legs go flailing! It always made me chuckle because the poor little thing (well all 3 of my sons) would look like they were doing the chicken.

Hugs,
L.

http://APerfectMoment.MyArbonne.com

Absolutelty not!
He's TWO MONTHS OLD!
All babies fidget around alot. Don't get yourself crazy making a pre-diagnosis of something that can't be properly diagnosed until years from now.

Maybe if you put something in his little hand that he can hold, it will keep him occupied and it will probably go right in his mouth. So be sure its like a teething ring!
When he's 3 or 4 years old & if he cant sit still, then start questioning things. I'm sure a doctor will tell you the same thing.
* * Meanwhile,...relax,
And Enjoy your normal, active little beautiful Boy!

All the Best, T. B.

why would you think such a thing? your baby is exploring the movement of his arms and legs - everything for a child is NEW! ADHD istn even diagnosed till they are several yars old. enjoy your baby and dont worry about such things!

Don't start worrying about stuff like this yet. If you start thinking at 2 months that he has ADHD, he definitely will by the time he is school aged. It will be come a self fulling prophecy. I think more often then not its the parents. Some kids definitely have a really problem, but ADD ADHD is way over diagnosed these days! What ever happened to letting boys be boys? Kids like to move and run around and play, and when they are infants they move to explore their new world. Moving his hands and feet is a new skill!
With few exceptions, treat your kids as normal health kids and they will be come them! When he is older, expect him to behave as he should ( well behaved in some situations, but allowed to run around and have fun too) and you will see him grow into a wonderful little person!

My older son hasn't stopped moving since he was born - I truly believe some kids are just hard wired to be very active.

Talk to your doctor...being a new mom is very stressful and you worry about every little thing. It is a good excercise in letting go. Good luck!

My daughter is now 11 monyhs old and i tell u when she was about 2 months thru 5 months she did the same exact thing to the point where i thought something was wrong...but just so u know nothing is wrong, its normal. I asked the doctor every month and he told me the same thing every time, its normal, shes just active and enjoys moving around. Every time she woke during the night and i would feed her her arms and legs would go crazy and she would swing them all over to the point where i could not evn swaddle her, but like i said she is now 11 months old and she is healthy and normal and as active as any almost year old should be. Its something they grow out of! Enoy your baby and no worries hes just enjoing the freedom to move!

hello mother of 3

My eldest has ADHD,

ANd he didn't move his arms and legs any more than te other 2 who definately don't have adhd

I realized at 1.5 he had ADHD,

because his activity level was insane,
and he had no self control.

I thought mt son was seriously not even human until he turned 4 years old, at which point he calmed down significantly,

So trust me its far to early to detect that,

But for the record, even if he did, there is nothing oyu could possibly do about it at 2 months,

I do nothing diffrent for my son with ADHD as with my children that do not have it,

the only thing I Use more of is patience.

so start building that skill NOW

M

C.-

I honestly have had very little to no expeirience with ADHD. However this is a question that should be directed towards a doctor because no matter what non of us are experts, well I guess unless you are in fact an expert:)

Anyway my opinion on the subject is just like your headline reads active newborn. My son was the same way and he is two now and I do not believe he has ADHD. Keep in mind that children are going ot be active and crazy and have very short attention spans. So my advice is to not jump the gun to early here.

My son is two and he's all over the place. His attention span lasts 2-3 minutes at times at tothers he's so engrosed you can't get him to ook at you. This is all normal. Wait until there is a real problem. Keep in mind you child is TWO months old. The cause for alrm hasn't even approched yet.

I do understand your concern though. With multiple family members that are diagnosed with this you probably want to get a head start, but enjoy you baby. My mom used to tell me it's ok he'll sleep alot....well he didn't. He would nap for like an hour or two and take maybe three of those a day. The rest of the time he was awake and alert and I thought I'm in for it because he was just born and already he's on the go. All I'm saying is take a deep breath and relax I say it's normal and he's fine.

Good Luck, I hope this eases your mind a little.

A.

I'm not sure about the ADHD...if you find out, let me know:

I have a 2 1/2 month old boy and he moves his arms and legs a lot too. Each time he gets to kick his legs ALOT, he gets excited and coos and smiles. I think they enjoy moving their arms and legs because they can.

My MIL told me my husband had the same temperament as an infant and moved his arms and legs...and he turned out ok...he picked me :)

Good luck!

I remember my son constantly moving, so much that got out of any swaddle attempts. I talked to his Dr. about it during one of the visits, and he assure me that moving around a lot is not a sign of anything. My son is almost 2.5 now, and though very active, he is perfectly normal.

I would say no. But some newborns at this point discover that they have limbs that can move, so they move them. I would give him more floor time on his tummy, Like fifteen or 20 minutes a day, and flip him over on his back, so he can see the world. I know it is early for that, but some babies just figure this stuff out a little early. My son's cousin was rolling by 2 months and sitting by four months. She had to have help to get into a sitting position, but she would play for a while like that. So he might be ready to start to figure out how to roll over. The tummy time will strengthen his neck muscles. My son took longer to do it, but he walked 6 months sooner than her, so there is no fixed rule on baby development.

That may not necessarily be true. My daugter just turned 3 months on Friday and is a very active baby. About 3 weeks ago she started to move her legs to make herself bounce in her bouncy seat. She is hitting her milestones earlier then what the books and internet say. All babies are differant so don't worry. Some develope things sooner some later. Relax and enjoy his new milestone.

Dear C., I'd be more concerned if he wasn't moving about....You've gotten some great advice here....Just relax and enjoy your baby...

hi C.,

I read your message and became concerned for my own son. He too is 2 months old and is very active. I truely thought that he was just active and didn't think anything else of it. If you find any reason to think that this is a sign of ADHD please keep me informed. Thanks for posting your message.
S.
____@____.com

Hi C.,

My son is 10 weeks old and he does the same exact thing. My husband and I were wondering the same thing, but I THINK it's normal. I am assuming it's a sign of high activity, not ADHD..... of course I am no expert. We asked our ped. about it though and she said it was because the central nervous system is still immature. Let me know if you find out anymore specifics!!!

I also am a new mom, and have a brother with ADHD as well. Good Luck, Tanya

Hi C., I don't know much about this but if you are concerned, check with your doctor. You may just have an active baby! Hope so. Grandma Mary

Hi C.,

I am a clinical psychologist and have worked in a child psychiatry outpatient clinic for several years. We see a lot of children with ADHD. There is no way to predict at this age whether your child will develop ADHD. 2 months is far too young to make such a diagnosis (and if you get a professional telling you otherwise, RUN AWAY!). And beyond that, lots of activity is completely normal at his age. His nervous system is still relatively immature and it's going to take some time for him to get coordinated and a little calmer.

My son (now 7 months) was very active at that age as well. Arms and legs flailing all of the time... we swaddled him for sleep until he was about 5 months old. Now it's not an issue at all.

Having said all of that, ADHD does seem to run in families. So keep an eye out... if he has significant problems paying attention/sitting still/controlling his impulses as he gets older (that is, much more than other kids his age), consider taking him for an evaluation. But try not to turn it into a self-fulfilling prophesy, either.

Enjoy that little guy!

Hi C.. I wouldn't worry about it just yet. My baby, who is now 10 months old, has been the same way even since in utero. With each ultrasound, she was thrashing her limbs and is still more active the average baby her age. I did ask the doctors if she could be hyperactive and they said that it's too soon to make that kind of assumption and told me not to be concerned - she's just active. I would suggest talking to your doctor if you're highly concerned for reassurance.

It may actually be part of the natural startle reflex that all babies are born with. I wouldn't worry. I don't think there are ANY signs of ADHD nearly this early. It could be that he is just active, alert and smart: interpreting his environment and stimulating himself. Good luck and congrats on your baby!

My baby was also super, super active, and EASILY bored. I'm not sure if I'd start considering ADHD (my brother is diagnosed with Aspergers...so things like that do run in the family.) However, when she was 9 months old, my doctor did tell me to watch out for something else - early tantrums. ;-) She decided my daughter was stubborn (didn't even roll over until her 9 month birthday...and learned to crawl the same day.) The dr. was right - at 19 months, she has definite opinions and wants to do things her way. She's rarely content to sit still and play with toys. If she's playing by herself, she is running back and forth, stacking, knocking over, emptying and filling - not quiet activities. I'd be more worried about tantrums than ADHD. ;-)

Hi C.
You have gotten some great advice. Don't worry! Enjoy you baby!
All babies are different. Some like to be swaddled, some hate it.
Some like to be cuddled and rocked, some hate it. Enjoy what he likes. Are their family members who are ADHD is that why you worry?
Moving is not ADHD. Moving alot is not ADHD. Sounds to me like he is using his muscles, maybe he will be a famous athlete and need those muscles to be strong.
Our younger boy was always moving, climbed out of the crib at 5 months, walked at 7 months, and by a year he could climb on top of the refrigerator and jump off. Did I like it? NO, but school was wonderful. He loved learning. He played sports. Lots of them. Today he is a lawyer for the government. If I had it to do over I would homeschool him starting at 4 or before, because he had taught himself to read by the time he was in preschool. The preschool teacher on the first day of preschool asked me when I arrived to pick him up, how long he had been reading and I didn't know he could. I thought he had memorized those books. She said he was reading at about 4 th grade level. I tell people with active children teach them, maybe they are bored, and maybe their brain needs that stimulation too. Longer story but don't worry because your child is beyond the norm. I agree with others the time to act is when they are not keeping up with the norm. Our youngest never picked her head up til she was 10 months old. Being concerned I asked MD(my action) but he assured me she was fine. Of course I worried, but all my worry did was take time away from her. She heads to college in the fall.
God bless you and your family
SAHM of 4 --- 2 boys & twin girls born when the boys were 19 years and 14 years.