Squirmy 8 Month Old

I have a 9 month-old boy and you may as well have been describing my son. He will often shake his head back and forth when he is sleepy. I always took this to be his way of self-calming before he falls asleep. He is constantly waiving his arms and squirms like crazy. I work for an Early Intervention program and feel as though I am pretty good at recognizing "red flags." I think what we have are just active little boys that are going to wear us out when they start walking. I just enrolled my son in a Little Swimmers class at the Gaulter Center and hope that this will be a good outlet for him. Best of luck.

I have time for just a couple of thoughts.
1. My son (also 8 months) is much squirmier than my daughter was ast this age. Maybe a male thing?
2. My son has just begun shaking his head back & forth - usually when he's tired. He likes his new skill.
3. If you are really concerned, it doesn't hurt to call the doctor.
4. slings are great for holding little squirmers!
good luck!

I chuckled when I read this post and replies - not because I'm making fun of you, just because I was thinking "phew - now my son's behavior seems normal!"

I can't get my kid to sit still. Ever. He's been a squirmy little thing since about 7 months, so much in fact that he doesn't even want to cuddle any more before naps or bedtime. That makes me sad, but he just wants to get in his crib and nest then go to sleep.

Wait til he gets older and heavier - think your back hurts now? Just make sure he gets lots and lots of opportunity to roll around, run around, etc. to work all that energy out of his system. Definitely share your insights with your pediatrician just to be sure.

K. A.,
I would say talk to the baby's doctor. I have 4 kids & 3 of them have seizure problems. Mine would head bob up and down with their head & their eyes would roll back & they would jerk their arms and legs. The way the baby is moving his head doesn't sound like mine but still I think you should talk to his doctor. Good Luck.
L. W. a SAHM of 4, 10,8,almost5 & almost3. Part-time sitter of 2 boys 7&2.

first of all, if you're really concerned, i'd talk to your doctor about it...

that said, my daughter used to hit herself in the head with her hand when she was really tired... while nursing or taking her last bottle of the day... and was certianly very wiggly at that point--i think trying to fight off the tiredness to the best of her ability. with her, it went away before she turned 1... can't remember when.

as to his general squirminess, is he very happily active when he's on his own on the floor? are there times when he is able to quiet himself down? how is he sleeping/eating/growing? is he hitting milestones around when he should be? is he making eye contact and "chatting" with you and your family? he may just not like being held/constrained. lots of kids are significantly happier to just be on their own and his sqirminess is just his way of showing that...

and always remember that every child is different and comparing them may drive you nuts--one reason i'm currently reluctant to have a second :)

good luck!!

What does the pediatrician say? I'm concerned for you and the little guy. Some babies just fuss for some reason or other. Maybe you're not producing as much milk as you were because of stress or a hundred other things. Maybe he's just testing his arms and legs because he's now aware of them and wants to see how the extremities work. Please let us know what you find out. My prayers are with you. Happy Mothers Day.

My 10 month old son does the exact same thing. Shakes his head back and forth as if saying NO. We noticed that he does it a lot when he gets tired. He has never done it at any other time. The times he has done it when he wasn't tired, was right after we shook our head and were saying no. It is a mimicking thing. See if you notice those 2 things as well.

B.

my little one did it a little earlier than that and grew out of it. At the time, I was quite anxious about it. I read that the whole event of breast feeding can be quite exciting for a baby and that they can sort of convulse with pleasure. I would talk to your doctor and see what he/she thinks.

My son does that too, he's nine months, and so does the six month old I watch. That's just them trying to keep themselves awake. No worries!

My daughter did the same exact thing and she is very, very squirmy that no one in our family has ever experienced a baby so squirmy as her. She was the same way in the womb. Anyways, I took her in to check for an ear infection. The peditrician told us it was a function of teething. However, I do notice it more when I give her foods she is sensitive too. For her it is bananas and gluten (I have gluten issues too, so I am more aware of food sensitivities). I tried yo baby recently and she had a total food adversion to it, then shook her head back and forth for one day, that was it. (I just wonder if she has a little headache or something?) Perhaps take notice to what you and your baby is eating within the last 24hrs, then take it away for 5 days, re-introduce it and denote what happens. Big culprits are dairy, nuts and wheat. I completely understand the squirminess! I tell my husband she is exercising her independence at 9m old...can't wait until she is 13...yikes!

Hi K.,
Have you discussed this with your ped? I think it is important to mention it. Maybe he has an ear infection or something else going on. I would make an appt. and discuss it.

Most likely it is nothing,
T.

Don't know if this makes you feel better, but my daughter was the same way. She was so squirmy and distracted when nursing (not to mention the arm flailing and punching), that I gave it up by 10 months because I couldn't take it anymore! She's perfectly normal, and actually turned out to be pretty aggressive in terms of cruising, climbing, walking and just about every other physical activity, so I don't think it's a problem. Your son will probably just be super active when he's able to get around on his own!

Jen

I wouldn't worry to much. Tell your doctor about it and try to video tape it so that you can show them. My son had torticollis, wry neck, and started to do this when he was about 6 months. I was TERRRIFIED that it was because of his torticollis but it was just some weird thing that he did. I felt much better when my friends baby started to do it also. (Her baby is a few weeks younger than mine.) I would say it's probably something that your baby just likes to do, maybe it feels good to them to move their neck but it ended up being nothing for him. I videotaped it and showed it to my doctor to rule out seizures and his physical therapist saw it and he is fine. Good luck!

Babies in that age range are curious about the world around them and figuring out their independence. My ten month old tries to pull her hair when she nurses. Sometimes she will squirm or kick her feet too. I think she wants to eat, but just doesn't want to take the time, when she could be down crawling, walking with her pusher, and getting into things. If she sees or hears anything interesting, she will stop to turn and watch. So, my advice is talk to your Dr. at the next appointment, but don't worry.

Mom of three perfectly healthy squirmers.

You could try to swaddle during feedings to help you back (although he might be to big for that). Or get a breast friend pilow. I also liked the idea of videotaping it and showing it to your dr)