3-week-old having spasms/twitches after feeding

[Ellerdcc]

Hi everyone,

I’m not really sure where to start, but I’m quite worried about my 3-week-old. Over the last couple of days, he just hasn’t been himself. After almost every feed, he’s been having what look like spasms. It usually starts with his right hand twitching, then his breathing changes, and he suddenly pulls himself off the breast, grimaces, and bobs his head around as if startled or uncomfortable.

Sometimes it looks like the spasms are brought on by feeding, but I’m not completely sure. Other times, he’ll stare blankly into space, then suddenly jolt and cry hysterically. If I touch him or try to bring him out of it, he cries even harder, almost like he’s in pain or frightened.

At first, I thought it might just be his startle reflex or something to do with my fast let-down, but it’s been happening more often and it’s starting to really worry me. He’s also been a bit off in general — not quite himself, more unsettled than usual, and harder to comfort.

My gut is telling me something isn’t right. I’ve got a GP appointment tomorrow, but honestly, I’m going crazy with worry tonight. Has anyone else’s baby ever done something like this? Were they okay?

It might just be something like an intolerance. Cut out dairy.

Not exactly the same but they were concerned my youngest was having seizures around the same age but it was due to the pain of silent reflux

If you can , try to make a video of him when he has one of these spasms so your gp will have a better understanding of your concerns. Hope all will be ok.

Video it if you can. One of my babies had a completely harmless sleep disorder (benign sleep myoclonus) which would happen sometimes if they were falling asleep whilst feeding. Alarming to watch as their limbs would twitch like a seizure. We were referred to the hospital but they didn't do any tests as they were confident that was what it was. Child grew out of it completely and has no health issues.

We went to the gp this morning and they didn’t even watch the video, just said sounds like colic but if he has another episode just go a&e, I was dumbfounded. He has referred us to a paediatrician but advised us the nhs is broken and can take weeks and hospital is our best bet.

Astonished that your GP didn't even look at videos. The probability is that it is colic/ reflux related. But i would advise you to video record any further episodes and go to a and e if you continue to feel at all concerned. Trust your instincts. No harm in getting things fully checked out

Sounds like it's likely reflux related if it's mostly after eating.

However, are the spasms symmetrical and repetitive? I would take some videos and go to A&E if so. There's a type of seizure called infantile spasms which is considered a medical emergency.

My son had sandifer syndrome which looked like seizures but was caused by silent reflux.