Thrashing head from side to side in sleep.

[BocaDeTrucha]

My ds (3.5 months) has started doing this in his sleep recently. He's sleeping next to me in a crib and it can go on for about half an hour, quite violently. I gently stroke his face or gently rub his chest and eventually he calms down and he is asleep throughout. Is there any reason why he does this? Is it a nightmare or just perfectly normal? His mattress is covered in hair every morning so is definitely going to end up with a bald patch. That is the last thing I'm worried about but am just keen to know nothing is traumatising him in his sleep.

Hi. My son used to do this when he was a baby and I was convinced it was due to silent reflux. He would also do it when we were out in his pram when he was sleeping. I used to raise the head of his Moses basket and keep him upright for 20 minutes after a feed and I think that helped a bit. From memory he grew out of it at about 4 or 5 months. Not sure if this is the same but it was exactly what he used to do.

Thanks PJ, I'll give it a try. He was on omeprazol for reflux but seemed to settle down so we stopped it. Maybe it's still bothering him although he is so much calmer during the day these days.

My DS is pretty much the same age and he does this.

I thought it was because it was he was looking for food, a kind of automatic rooting type thing.

It's usually just before he is properly awake. He doesn't seem to suffer from reflux either.

My DS is 2yrs 4m and still does this! When he was a baby it was quite a violent head thrashing - if you didn't know better you might have thought he was having a fit. He does it much less often now but usually if his sleep has been disturbed but he's still tired. Have always assumed it was his way of getting himself off to sleep. Often notice it when he's in his car seat (and very upright) so don't think his is a reflux issue. Glad to know other babies do it too though!

Can you wake him and is he normally after you do? My dd has epilepsy and seizes in her sleep. all people jerk and twitch - myoclonic jerks - when sleeping, but you should be able to wake them normally. Myoclonic seizures are rare and are a type of epileptic seizure.

my dd2 does this. I always think she is not quite comfy. she does it when in our bed snoozing too.

and yes she has a big bald patch

I've never tried waking him when it happens, adoptmama as it's usually in the middle of the night so I always hope it will just pass which it does. I think it's when he's either just coming in or out of a deep sleep phase as I've noticed him doing it when he's dropping off too.

Good to hear he's not the only one doing it though!

Our dd started doing that when she was teething (did it when awake, too). She's nearly 18mo and still does it occasionally.

She also had a lovely bald spot (nice for kissing :) ) but it's gone now!