Mad arms in a 5 month old - is this normal?

[arewethereyet]

My DD can't seem to settle to feed or sleep as her arms flail around madly and she batters me (when feeding) or herself-it's almost like a continued startle reflex. She seems to have little control over it. Anyone know what it is and if it's normal?

[avenanap]

Startled reflex should have gone by now. Have you spoken to your hv? does she do this alot?

[arewethereyet]

It's when she's feeding - rakes at me or beats at my breasts - or trying to settle to sleep where she bats herself about the head. HVs haven't been much help, just say "it's a stage" (which might be true). She's perfectly happy and active the rest of the time.

[Miaou]

oh ds2 does this to me - sometimes he looks like he is trying to do the butterfly stroke!! He only really does it when feeding, and not at all feeds, usually just when he is tired (but not if he wakes at night for a feed). Agree, it's just a stage!

One thing that does sometimes distract him - I wear a gold necklace and he grabs hold of that and holds on, then stops flailing. Or if he won't do that, he'll often hold on to my finger.

Can't remember when he started doing it - around 4 months I think - he is 7 months now. I'm assuming he'll grow out of it

[arewethereyet]

Yes, I know what you mean about the finger holding; dd will slow her arms if she can get her hand in my mouth. I do hope she grows out of it.

[grumpybum]

my ds is 4 months and does this - it is really annoying.

I swaddle him - problem solved!!!

[foodfiend]

dd used to do this - bf was like some kind of one-sided semaphore until I started pinning her down with a muslin over her arm and tucked against me. Later a necklace was good, but I did get scratched quite a bit.

We used to swaddle her at night as she's biff herself in the face, but we'd have to rewrap her several times a night, even using one of those 'miracle blankets' which are supposed to make it easier.

It was a pain, but she did grow out of it - can't honestly remember when...

[kaa0901]

DS does this as well and he's 5months. its a bit like a windmill but its only when he's tired. havent bothered telling the HV (like she would be interested anyway) as he certainly doesnt have any developmental issues. am just putting it down to tiredness and not having total muscle control.

hth

[HairyToe]

I swaddled bith mine around this age for this very reason. Apparently they don't realise their hands belong to them. This means they have difficulty controlling their movements, then the movement excites them which makes them move even more!

[Jjou]

DD is 5 months and does this a lot! Mostly when she's eating but is very tired. She's taken to grabbing my top and wrapping it around her hand too while she's eating/getting ready for a nap. So glad it's not just my LO