Baby Goes Stiff When Picked Up

[MintGreenLife]

DS is almost 5 months old. I think he’s always stiffened his spine when being picked up, but I’ve noticed it more recently. He goes very ridged when I pick him up from lying down. He’s been able to bare weight on his legs for a few months now (which I believe is quite normal) but sometimes when trying to put him in a seated position I struggle to get him to bend his legs.

Now this may all be normal, but I had little experience with babies before I had him, hence why I’m posting here as I’m not sure if this is a cause for concern or not.

We did take him to a osteopath who said his spine was very stiff, however after a few sessions with little difference seen we stopped.

I had a forceps delivery after 2hrs of pushing, which was pretty brutal on him. He had bad bruising to his face, a swollen eye and a cut to the forehead, which has left a faint scar and a slight dent. He also had a lump on the back of his neck from the forceps.

I suppose what I’m worried about is the forceps delivery causing an injury with lasting impact. Can anyone shed any light? Google has just confused me/made me worry more!

I will obviously consultant the GP if this does seem out of the ordinary x

No idea but here is a free bump! Hopefully someone comes online tonight who can help.

Body stiffening when being picked up - yes, its the same as their necks stiffening up instead of being floppy like a newborn. Its a normal progression for muscles.
Bending of legs - yes normal. Cant quite remember what ages my daughters were but definitely remember struggling with highchair, carseat and pram because of knees not bending

Ha I had one like this, skinny and strong, and stiff as a board!

He's just a wiry, bouncy, strong and energetic 9 yr old boy now.

I had worries too, especially as he was v late roller. But he sat up very early (which made him puke a lot!) he was such a nosy child! Hated being in a sling as couldn't see, full on tantrums, till he was 5 months and I put him on my back.

Ds 2 was more placid and cuddly. If anything I'm more worried about him as he's more podgy! But much better sense of balance. Ds1 couldn't ride a bike till he was 8. I think he tried too hard where as ds2 goes with the flow.

They're just all different

Went through a phase with all of mine where they needed karate chopping to get then into buggies/high chairs/car seats.

They then learn how to go utterly rigid which is a nightmare.

Sounds totally normal

Oh yes I remember this desire to weight bare on feet at a baby so wouldn't sit. As soon as she could sit unaided and engage better in that position with toys she would only go to the sit position and not wb on her feet. As for stiffness in the spine, that doesn't ring a bell and I didn't have forceps either. So sorry no helelthere.

Thanks so much everyone! You’ve made me feel so much better ☺️ He’s had loads of blood tests due to initial jaundice and then raised liver enzymes, taken by various people, and at every single appointment/attempt to draw blood I’m met with the same comment ‘he’s very strong’ - which also makes it a challenge to draw his blood 🤦🏻‍♀️ I will just put his stiffness down to this for now, and keep an eye on this. Like I said, he’s been able to bare weight on his legs for several months now, so that marries up with him generally being quite strong (and strong willed, according to my MIL 😂) thanks again! X

My eldest wanted to weight bare pretty much from birth.

He pushed so hard on my ribs in the womb that one of his ankles was bent! It straightened though.

He loved being held up and pushing his feet down and stretching as tall as he could. He also was a grumpy little thing until he could sit unaided!

No forceps here, Just keep an eye on him and mention it to a health visitor, but i do think it's his core muscles naturally kicking in.

I had this with my DS. I used to almost have to swipe his legs from under him to get him to sit on my lap. He was so strong and stiff as a board! He also wasn't a cuddly baby, would never want to fall asleep on me or snuggle into my shoulder. It really used to upset me. He just always had to be on the move and was so strong. Thinking back I should have been pleased as he started off as a full term 4 lb baby who spent his first two weeks on SCUBU as he was a bit poorly.

He went on to be an energetic, happy, confident toddler who went into each new experience without a backward glance at his parents. He is now a fine 22 year.

Don't worry Op, it's totally normal.

Ah Ice mine was 5lb at 42 weeks. It was such a worry. I too should have been thrilled at how strong he was.

Always on the go as a small, and now still as 9 yr old! So Much energy! Calm as a cucumber at school though

@WarriorN @Icequeen01 I guess he’s just a strong baby like both of yours were! That’s amazing they are both doing so well after being small at birth 💕 DS was a very good 6lb12 at 36+5, so I was lucky he was a good size despite being born early x

@WarriorN

Ah Ice mine was 5lb at 42 weeks. It was such a worry. I too should have been thrilled at how strong he was.

Always on the go as a small, and now still as 9 yr old! So Much energy! Calm as a cucumber at school though

Those early days were a worry weren't they. I think I spent his first year in a state of constant worry, even though in hindsight once his weight picked up there was nothing to worry about. I do remember worrying a lot about the stiff baby bit and remember crying to my health visitor that I thought there was something wrong with him. That's why my heart went out to @MintGreenLife when I read her post. It brought it all back to me.

Three weeks ago I sat in Canterbury Cathedral watching what was my 4lb, stiff little baby boy, who I had worried about so much, graduate with a First in his degree but I still worry about him 😀