Newborn strange eye movements, twitching, and smiling

[JoBridg]

Hi all

I have a 4 week old who has some strange behaviour at times and I've seen on some threads that this might be normal but just looking for some reassurance please.

When she sleeps and sometimes just after she feeds she goes into this trance like state where her eyelids open and I can see her eyes moving from side to side, up, down, and in all directions really (not very fast and not super slow either). She also twitches sometimes while in this state - her arms and legs and even her head will make these small twitching/jerky movements. On top of that she sometimes starts smiling or grimacing like she's about to cry. Her breathing also changes slightly throughout this time.

I would say this can last anywhere 2-20 minutes at times. I find it difficult to snap her out of it unless I completely pick her up and change her position.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

Thanks a lot

How often is it happening? It’s been a while since I’ve had a baby and can’t work out if this is normal newborn twitching. I’d maybe mention it at the 6 week check. Take a video of her doing it to show them.

Take a video to your health visitor or go just to be safe and for reassurance, but honestly my 10 week old made such weird twitches and expressions Iwhen he was born I was sure something was wrong with him... now that's stopped and he just smiles and laughs most of the time. The best advice I can give is don't over Google- I did, and got into a terrible state about all the things it said were wrong with my little boy!!

It sounds like REM sleep to me but worth double checking