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7 week old with 'jittery' legs

15 replies

sheeplikessleep · 18/10/2013 20:31

Ds3 is now 7 weeks old and since birth, has been what I would call 'jittery'. We were sent back in to see the paedetrician when he was a day old to check his calcium level and blood sugar level. Both came back fine. The paedetrician and midwives at the time said likely to just be 'one of those things' and he would grow out of it.

We both saw the dr on Monday for ds's 6 week check up. I mentioned it to dr, who was a bit stumped, she even got another dr in to take a look.

It isn't continuous jitteriness, just when he is a bit agitated, from being changed, after his bath or crying. It seems to be mostly now just in his legs, although he does sometimes have a tremor (lasting a couple of seconds) in his lower lip. His legs, mostly his right one vibrates and it lasts less than 3 or 4 seconds in total. It reminds me of when I've leant on a nerve funny and my hand has shaken a bit.

The dr didn't seem over concerned, said it seems like his nervous system maturing. However, neither she, nor the second dr have seen it before, so I'm obviously concerned. They said his overall tone was good. Developmentally, he seems on track, his 'tone' they said was good, he is smiling and interacting now. They want to see him again in a month.

I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FoodieToo · 18/10/2013 22:13

Is that not just newborn tremors? Immature nervous system.
I don't think it is anything to worry about.

Some kids seem to startle etc more than others.

WandaDoff · 18/10/2013 22:16

DD had this, & they told me that it was an immature nervous system & not to worry.

I didn't worry, & it was gone by the time she started to sit up by herself.

Smile
tinkerbell666 · 18/10/2013 22:17

well, my 8 week old does it, reminds me of a dog when they get a shakey leg :) he is my 5th child and none of the others have done it, but i'm not overly worried :)

ll31 · 19/10/2013 07:39

Ds had this,similar age ,disappeared in few wks,no explanation

sheeplikessleep · 19/10/2013 08:39

Thankyou, that's very reassuring. As I say, the dr said it was probably nervous system maturing, but I thought would have gone by now. Good to know its me underestimating when it goes. Thanks for posting

OP posts:
Marleen82 · 28/12/2015 11:16

Dear Sheeplikesleep,

My now 10 weeks old son has exactly the same symptoms as yours. I found this forum discussion via Google - everyone is telling me not to worry but as mother of a newborn baby I do worry. I'm just curious to hear how your son has developed (he must be 2-years old now)? Did the jittering disappear? I hope it did.

I'd really appreciate to hear from you if it didn't cause any further developmental problems.

Best wishes,
Marleen (from the Netherlands)

FreyaEve · 29/01/2020 16:52

Hi
I was just wondering if you baby grew out of this as my 7 week old is exactly the same.
I even felt it while I was pregnant.

Thank you

ForeverBaffled · 29/01/2020 19:29

My DS was jittery as a newborn - in fact his chin only stopped quivering on waking up around 6 months ago (he’s just turned 2.) Just nervous system maturing as has already been said.

FreyaEve · 29/01/2020 21:43

Hi
Thank you, that’s what I keep thinking it is myself however I’m being sent to sheffield Children’s hospital with it so I’m back to worrying again. The hospital have said I shouldn’t of been able to feel it while pregnant if it was only the nervous system.

Hotpinkangel19 · 31/01/2020 13:19

This happened to my son, he eventually grew out of it after tests and scans.

Helendee · 02/02/2020 19:47

My three week old baby grandson is the same, it’s reassuring to read these replies.

Lou1459 · 07/03/2022 10:50

Hi, my 6 week old, nearly 7 weeks has the same symptoms as you’ve described. Just wondering if anything came about from this and if the jittering went away?
Thanks

Foreverbaffled · 07/03/2022 11:38

@Lou1459

Hi, my 6 week old, nearly 7 weeks has the same symptoms as you’ve described. Just wondering if anything came about from this and if the jittering went away? Thanks
Hi, the tremors in my sons legs were officially diagnosed as ankle clonus (would happen when his foot was flexed or stretching). This is perfectly normal and okay in babies (don't Google it as it is associated with scary things but only in older children and adults.) It's due to an immature nervous system. He is absolutely fine now.
Mimi2022 · 05/11/2023 01:06

@FreyaEve hi, did you ever find out fro the hospital what it was?

FreyaEve · 05/11/2023 20:41

@Mimi2022 Hi, nothing was ever mentioned by doctors. I do have a lot of people messaging me about it as I don’t think there is a great deal on the internet. As far as I know it was just due to the nervous system maturing. Freya is nearly four now and show no signs of any problems or difficulties, in fact she is very advanced for her age compared with my other two children.
Always happy to help anyone with any questions in regards to it though as I know how much I worried.

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