7 month old very restless sleeper

My son has been a very restless sleeper since about 4 months old.  First I thought it was from reflux, so he was put on Zantac for that.  Then I though it was from lack of routine.  So I implemented a great routine for him as well as teaching him to sleep independantly.  Then I thought maybe it was that he was confined to a swaddle so I weaned the swaddle.  Then I thought it was from co-sleeping, so now he sleeps in his crib.  He naps perfect!!! But nights are so horrible.  He will fall asleep fine and then about 3-4 hours afterwards, he starts waking but it all starts like thrashing around, he sleeps on his belly and he just turns his head from side to side and scrunches up his bottom, then he will start to whine and then eventually cry.  If he rolls onto his back he keeps jolting until he wakes himself up.  Why is he doing this?? What is bothering him??

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Most such problems in infants are benign, but it is important to rule out any neurological problem (e.g., seizure disorder) that may be the basis of the behavior you are witnessing. Discuss this with your baby's pediatrician. If you can provide the doctor with a videotape of the behaviors it will help determine waht si going on.