Why do babies often twist and turn when they sleep?

Article written by Doctor Dam Thi Quynh - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

The phenomenon of babies twisting when sleeping is usually a normal physiological condition if the baby only twists, stiffens, blushes for a few minutes and then goes away on its own. This phenomenon usually occurs in children from 5 to 6 weeks old, it can also be earlier when the baby is 2-3 weeks old. This can be said to be a normal physiological phenomenon, which will disappear when the baby is over 4 months old.

However, if the newborn baby often twists, leans forward, blushes, even the baby is startled when sleeping, the mother needs to be concerned because this prolonged can affect the development of the baby. young.
When the baby is born, the neurons have not yet differentiated, the cerebral cortex and the striatum have not yet developed, so subcortical activity prevails. Therefore, children will often show signs of dancing, moving their limbs often because the response of the cerebral cortex tends to spread when stimulated.
Newborns often twist themselves due to factors from the external environment, which is a physiological phenomenon but can also be a pathology.

Physiological manifestations:
The child's sleeping place is not warm and comfortable. There is too much light or loud noise around. Because the child is hungry, not eating enough: The stomach capacity of the newborn is very small, about 30 ml. Depending on the age and weight, the number of suckers varies, on average, about 2-3 hours, the baby will take a feeding. Do not feed your baby too many meals because it will make the baby's stomach full 🡪 the baby twists and spits milk after each feeding.

When the baby pushes to urinate or defecate: When urinating or defecating, babies often twist and push as if they are trying their best to push something out. Due to the surrounding environment, due to child care: the baby's diaper gets wet, the mother wraps the baby's towel too tightly, the room temperature is too hot or cold. Usually, the above physiological causes will cause the infant to twist or strain when awake or asleep. These are all normal physiological manifestations, the above phenomenon only lasts for a few minutes and will disappear. Symptoms of infants often twisting due to pathology: In addition to physiological manifestations, the condition of infants often twists and turns, does not sleep deeply, and there are even babies who are startled and cry at night. At night, mothers need to be careful because this not only affects sleep, eating problems, ... but also has serious internal injuries, even affecting the growth rate. physical growth of children.
Hypocalcemia: Newborns are very susceptible to calcium deficiency if not properly cared for. Manifestations: Children are easily excited, do not sleep well, children often cry at night, contorted, strained while sleeping, even convulsions, cyanosis. There are also other symptoms of rickets such as: Sweating, hair loss, fontanel slowly, soft fontanel, vomiting, etc. Some other diseases also cause children to twist their bodies. Discomfort: The baby's skin is damaged causing itching, the baby is bitten by insects, gets into the ear, ...

Keep children dry and clean. Choose a diaper with good absorbency for maximum comfort. Change diapers when the baby is out. Dress your baby in loose and warm enough pajamas. The average room temperature is 26 - 28 degrees Celsius, do not let the baby's room be too hot or too cold.

Clean the room, wash the blankets regularly so that the baby does not get itchy and uncomfortable. Massage to comfort the baby without squirming. When seeing a newborn baby twisting, mothers can hold the baby in their arms, caress, cuddle to make the baby more comfortable. Maybe the mother just needs to sing lullabies, comfort, soothe or talk to the baby, ... the baby will feel more secure and protected, from which the baby will no longer strain, twist or be uncomfortable. Vitamin D3 Supplement / Sunbathing: Infant writhing may be a sign of pathology, typically due to calcium deficiency (not being absorbed into the bones), most commonly in premature infants. Therefore, to avoid the infant twisting, blushing and crying in the middle of the night, the mother needs to supplement calcium (when needed as prescribed by the doctor) for the baby. Mother needs to eat well, avoid abstinence. For newborn babies, the calcium source at this time is provided entirely from breast milk (except in cases where the baby is breastfed), so mothers need to eat enough calcium-rich foods such as salmon and fish. mackerel, tuna,... as well as other healthy fish. A varied menu with adequate calcium supply will be an indirect way to help your baby not be twisted anymore. Pay attention to your baby's feelings: Most babies twist their bodies, which is a way for them to relax their muscles and joints when they have to stay in one place for too long. It's normal for newborn babies or babies 1, 2 months old to wriggle and this symptom will go away on its own when the baby is 4 months old. However, infant twisting is also a way for babies to 'express their feelings' that they are in pain, discomfort, discomfort, hunger, fatigue or wet diapers,... Therefore, mothers need Pay attention to your child's feelings for immediate remedial action. Do not use 'strange tips' to cure baby twisting: There are many mothers who pass on different methods of contorting their children such as sauna, hot compress, leaf application... However, the use of any one Any folk remedy without a doctor's approval can have a bad effect on the baby.

When seeing abnormalities of the child that the mother does not feel secure to take care of at home, it is best to take the baby to a specialized medical facility to be examined and consulted by doctors in the most accurate way. .
To help children eat well and sleep peacefully, parents should give their children a reasonable amount of zinc, along with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,... These nutrients will help their children. Eat well, have a good immune system, strengthen your resistance to get sick less often and have less digestive problems.