Concerns over infant development

I've read there is cause for concern over your childs development if they pushes back with his head and/or arches his back and stiffens his legs.  Jacob does these things when he gets upset.  Is this not normal?  If not, what is it an indication of?  I'm kinda freaking out about this.

[AndiJ78]

I don't know about that. All of my boys did that when frustrated...CJ is 17 mos and STILL does it. Mine also did that stretching, exploring how their body worked, and changing position.

You can bring it up with the pedi, but my guess is if it is a reaction to frustration, it is normal. If it were a random event not related to expressing an emotion or changing positions, maybe I would be concerned. But if it is obviously due to frustration, I actually consider it something to be proud of that he is expressing himself so early on creative ways.

[mommy2b-nanny]

Reilly does the same thing. When he gets frustrated he throws his head back and straightens his legs and screams bloody murder. This normally happens when he is hungry and is done being nice about it :). I hope it's nothing. I'm gonna bring it up with his pedi. How is Jacob by the way?

[pertykitty]

he sounds like a baby to me.  addison does the same thing except now she loves to push off with her feet (kinda funny cause it causes her to come off the boob and that p!sses her off haha)

[SeeingSpots]

A friend of mine who is a Doula says that this is normal in infants and that often the arching and stiffened legs is a sign of discomfort in the tummy-- most likely gas.  That's why you baby is most often crying when this behavior occurs.

When you have to be concerned about stiffened legs/arching in development is for further on (3 months) and is in conjunction with other signs (like fisted hands and lack of arm movement).  Here's a good site to illustrate-- scroll down on the page to "Signs to Watch for in Physical Development" and it will show you pictures:
http://www.aap.org/family/2004PAFBrochure.pdf

But at the ages of our little boys, it's perfectly normal for them to be doing this...  I wouldn't worry about it at this point.  My older son did this too as a newborn, and little Alden is now doing it too.

[Tanker Chic]

I feel so much better.. thanks you all so much...

The internet can be a good thing, but lately it just causes me more grief... I need to stop googling every little thought in my head... it has this snowball effect.  

Other than this, jacob has been doing really well.  He has started looking me in the face which before he wasn't and that was concerning me.  For the last couple of days, he would make little almost smiles at me and today, I'm pretty sure I got the real thing.  It was so cute and melted my heart. It came at such a good time. I was feeling kinda needy for a connection with him and BAM there it was... :)

Hannah

[pertykitty]

i too was concerned when addison would look all around me but not at me. i googled till i was convinced of this or that lol.  im so excited he smiled at you, its just perfect to see their little smile and its all because they love mom

[lovefamily]

My little guy does the samething.  He will stiffen himself and arch his back and cry, it is like I have a board in my arms.  Then he will pass some gas, relax and then be happy.  It is so easy to worry about so much.  Your baby sounds totally normal to me.