Strange behavior in my 3 month old. Please help

[shannonSchiller]

My 3 month old baby girl, when she is laying on her back in her crib, will suddenly throw open her arms out to her side, spread eagle, and get a panic looked in her face.  She kind of looks like she has suddenly lost control of her arms.  And she looks frightened. Then a few seconds later, she will either start crying like it scared her or she will return to what she was doing before it happened (looking around, sucking on hands, looking at her mobile, etc.)  It really scares me when this happens and she seems scared when it is happening to her.  I've only observed it happening when she is laying on her back in her crib.  Please help me. I'm a new mom and I'm really worried.  

Shannon

[Still_AndiJ]

It is actually an inborn reflex that will fade over time. It usually happens as a result of being startled and is nothing to be concerned about : )

[shannonSchiller]

Thank you for your quick reply.  Is the reflex you are talking about the Moro reflex, because it doesn't seem to be the same.  I'm familiar with her Moro reflex and is has almost entirely faded.  This is something new and seems to occur when nothing has startled her.

[Christie2004]

The Moro Reflex typically disappears between 2 and 4 months of age.  If this is a persistent, new behaviour in your infant, I would take her to the pediatrician and see what he/she says.  If you can videotape the behaviour, that would be even better.

Good luck to you.

[ripdip]

Is she falling asleep and then startling herself up?  My daughter did this she would all of a sudden fling open her body get a look of panic cry then go back to sleep.

[shannonSchiller]

Thanks, that makes me feel better.  She doesn't do it when she is asleep but it sounds similar to what my baby does.  I will ask the pediatrician.  Thanks everyone

[CooperK]

Did you ever figure out what this was? My 3 month old son is doing the same thing.

[kris123]

my son does the same thing and is almost three months

[daprincess21]

my dd did this and i never worried. i always thought it was normal bc i had seen babies other than mine do it too.

[CooperK]

My son just started doing this during this past week when I take him down the stairs.  His eyes buldge out and arms fling wide with panic.  He doesn't do this when placed on back anymore thoough (moro reflex).  Is this similar to your son?  Thanks for your help.  I'm a new mom and this is worrying me.

[tmv]

It's the startle reflex and it does go away when the immature nervous system develops more. They tend to feel like they're falling. However, I have had a niece do this when she had an ear infection. But, she also had a fever. Best wishes.

[tomel]

totally normal

[tomel]

oh my another old post...what the heck

[tmv]

OMG! I didn't even notice. Thank you! Oh well, hopefully it helped out the others.

[kelly gallant]

my daughter is 11 weeks and just started doing the same thing.  she did it a few times, and appeared to be when she was falling asleep on her own, which she doesn't usually do.  i think she just frightened herself when she fell asleep by herself.

[Cheyenne_08]

My son did that, they had an EEG done because they thought he was having seizures. It could be nothing, but it could also be infantile spasms which are a type of seizure that causes brain damage. If she continues to do it, make sure you tell your doc.

[meimoon]

I just took my son to the Ped for the same exact thing.  It's not a moro reflex and they have referred me to a neurologist for an eeg.  I am really scared.  He only does it when he is on his back in his crib. What did the Dr. say it was after your EEG?

[meimoon]

I just took my son to the Ped for the same exact thing.  It's not a moro reflex and they have referred me to a neurologist for an eeg.  I am really scared.  He only does it when he is on his back in his crib. What did the Dr. say it was after your EEG?

[glados]

my son is 3 months old and he strangles to make a turn when he lies on his stomach is this normal