'Skydiving' arms all of the time in 8.5 month old.

[ABsMammy]

First Post and looking for a bit of advice. FTM with an 8.5 month old who does 'skydiving' arms a lot (not just during tummy time). Her arms go stiff and she pushes them towards her back during normal activities like being held. She doesn't seem to bare a lot of weight on her arms but she uses her arms and hands normally ie to pick up toys, hit things etc.

I spoke to my hv who wasn't concerned but said it is a bit strange and that she likely has hypermobility. She can sit up unaided but not moving about yet and showing no interest if I'm honest.

Suppose I'm asking if any of your babies were like this? Is it normal? I'm going to phone the GP tomorrow morning but I don't want to be that neurotic FTM if it is common 🤦‍♀️

How was her birth? Ok? Babies are very strange little things and can do odd stuff just because they do...

Does is look anything like this?

ukinfantilespasmstrust.org/about-infantile-spasms/

@ABsMammy Trust yourself and don’t worry about if anyone thinks you are a neurotic FTM. Better to be safe than sorry.

From your description my first thought was possible seizure. I am not a doctor so couldn’t possibly know, but I do think that you need to get your baby checked out by a doctor.

Definitely. Need to rule out infantile spasms immediately

My DD used to do this, not sure what it was but babies are very strange. She stopped when she learned to crawl (10.5 months).

I’d still get her checked out though, just to be on the safe side.

Thank you so much for all your replies it's really appreciated.

Her birth was really straightforward although quick. She was born about 2.5 hrs after waters were broken.

I hope she is just trying to freak us out as they all do at somepoint 🙈. I have a GP video call appointment on Wednesday and I'll certainly ask about seizures/infantile spasms etc even if it is just to rule it out.

Will update when I've seen the GP

Please be warned. Lots of health care professionals, unfortunately including GPs routinely fail to diagnose IS.
If you suspect it at all you need to go to the A&E of preferably a children's hospital armed with videos. It needs treating ASAP and is classified as a medical emergency.
If you have videos you can post to this Facebook page if you like for a parental second opinion.

www.facebook.com/groups/1600888383553097/?ref=share

What I'm saying is Wednesday is too long to wait if you are ruling out IS.

@paradyning thank you so much for the link I just managed to look at the video (hectic morning) and it doesn't appear to be IS it's more her natural positioning of her shoulders I think. For example am cradling her the arm wraps around my back and if I tuck it in she moves it back or if she's sitting and I try to bring her forward for a cuddle she will move her arms behind her.

I think it's hard to describe but it looks quite weird and uncomfortable but she's not in any pain.

Was the birth normal OP? I'm just asking because sometimes babies can get their joints out of whack during birth.

Sorry I missed that you said it was normal!

Birth was straightforward but pretty quick. I've managed to get a blurry pic of what I mean. She can do this with both arms while sitting straight towards you.

[quote ABsMammy]@paradyning thank you so much for the link I just managed to look at the video (hectic morning) and it doesn't appear to be IS it's more her natural positioning of her shoulders I think. For example am cradling her the arm wraps around my back and if I tuck it in she moves it back or if she's sitting and I try to bring her forward for a cuddle she will move her arms behind her.

I think it's hard to describe but it looks quite weird and uncomfortable but she's not in any pain.[/quote]
Good to hear. Always best to immediately rule it out! Hope you find out what bit is

Glad someone mentioned IS as that was my first thought. It's very important awareness is raised of this.

But also very glad it shows no similarities.

My ds also did weird things with his body and no one took me seriously. Unfortunate he does have a neuromuscular condition so I'd say definitely worth perusing opinions of GP etc if you're concerned.

Hi 🙂

Both my boys have done the same. It's a result of hypermobile joints and a technique they cleverly use to add stability when being carried around. DS1s hypermobility hasn't caused any major issues so far (slightly late to jump and does flail a bit when he runs) but DS2 has struggled a bit more. He is under physio but they've said that being hypermobile doesn't have to be a bad thing as long as you keep up muscle strength in order to support the joints.

Sounds daft but when you run down the stairs with her in your arms does she hold on to you or go like stiff like she’s scared? My niece used to do the latter and it was down to hype mobility.

My DS used to do that with his arms. He always looked like he was flying in his pushchair. He was hypermobile. Watching the swim instructor try to correct his strokes was funny as his arms went in directions that she just couldn't fathom!

Thank you so much for all your replies it's really helpful.

I tried running down the stairs with her this morning as an experiment 🙈 she didn't try to hold on just stuck her arms as far out behind her as she could and giggled 😂.

It does look very odd and I think a few people are freaked out by it. I have hypermobile legs and it does cause some issues so if the GP diagnoses hypermobility I'll ask for a PT referral for her. Because her arms are so far back she doesn't seem to stretch out her arms to save herself if need be, just face plants! Just thinking aswell she hates me holding on to her hands when I stand her up and maybe putting her arms behind her balances her better.

Will update tomorrow 😊

Hey, know it’s been a while but any update on your daughter? My 7mo does this and this is the first time I’ve ever finally found a post about it!! He does it when being carried, they are pretty far back behind him! And when he is sitting down on the floor etc, high chair. Unless he is holding something to play or eat his arms are up by his side and his hands in the air, like a backwards L!

did you daughter end up having hypermobility?

just like this!

Hi I know this is over a year old now but do you have an update @StaceyA95 my baby is 8 months and looks just like the pictures of your baby

@Leigh93 He is now 19 months and totally fine!! We did question hyper mobility as he never crawled, he bum shuffled then went straight onto walking but we never ended up seeing anyone about it. I’m not sure if it was his arms that meant he didn’t crawl or if he just was never going to be a crawler. But we’ve had no issues with his arms/elbows. We noticed he stopped doing it around 10 months when he started to pull himself up onto furniture. Maybe he just didn’t know what to do with his arms so they kind of just found their own position!

Thanks for updating. So many people don't, but it helps the rest of us a lot.

My boy (6 months) does skydiving arms whenever held. Doesn't seem bothered. We have a gp app but I don't expect much from it. I've read a few places that it often resolved around 10 months or so. Glad to hear that was the case with you.