Baby clenching fists, what could that be?

[Me2mommy2b]

Hi, everyone.  I have a one year old niece (a cutie, might I add) who is teething very actively right now.  Lately, she's gotten into the habit of clenching her little fists, tightening her facial muscles and shaking her upper body as if she's very mad at something.  My sister has taken her to see a neurologist and the doctor kept reassuring my sister that the baby's nervous system is developing normally and nothing is wrong with her but it still worries us that she does that.  My sister noticed that she does it when her teeth start erupting.  Has anyone else experienced that with their baby?  Your response is much appreciated!!

[pearl451]

It may be a coping method she uses for the pain. My DD is three & clenches her teeth when she is just about to go to sleep. I would say it is normal, it might just be her way of dealing with the pain instead of screaming!

[sariee]

My younger brother used to do that and he would rock back and forth. He is 19 now and doing just fine. He would do it to go to sleep or when he was mad. IF just relaxed him I guess. Good luck

[markysmom]

My son used to do that. We just thought it was really cute and would laugh at it. He's 2 1/2 now and completely fine!  He's actually better than fine. The dr says he's at a 4 yr old level with a lot of his motor skills and development, so I would not worry.

[Me2mommy2b]

Yes, exactly! She does that as well.  She starts laughing when my sister tells her to stop.  She finds it funny.

[neparker]

She could be doing it to cope with the pain.  



My DS, when he was little, he started teething at 3.5 months, he would butt heads with everything... us, the floor, furniture, everything.

[markysmom]

Tell your sister not to stress about it. Sometimes my son still does it-on purpose now -and his face gets red also.  Its really funny actually..and very cute!!

and some times he will make his teeth chatter when he does it.

[Me2mommy2b]

Thank you ladies for your responses.  You def put my mind at ease.  I will definitely relate this to my sister and tell her that it's normal.  :):):)

[Elicam]

My niece has been doing that since she was little as well. It may be a method of coping with the pain. Now she does it when she is mad though as well as when she is in pain.

[Elicam]

My niece has been doing that since she was little as well. It may be a method of coping with the pain. Now she does it when she is mad though as well as when she is in pain.

[rimrim]

Hi, I just came across these messages and wanted to know if your niece is fine now. My 9 month old son is also doing this exact same thing a lot these days and I am very worried. I am slightly relieved to read all your messages but I just wanted to know how your niece is, since these messages are from last year. Thanks!
Oh, and congratulations on your baby :)

[brina16]

My 18 month old son does this.  I knew it was teething related, and he  has finally cut all his teeth just recently.  However, I find him still doing this teeth clenching and body stiffening thing.  I have started to wonder if it's some sort of anxiety thing?  He's not hyper active, and his development is right on as well as advanced in some milestones.  When he does "the clench", he only does it for about 3 full seconds then he lets go and it's as if nothing happend.  It does have me curious and a little concerned.

[Jennywoj]

My daughter ever since she was about 9 months old would clench her fists and move her legs in a stretching posistion.  The doctors tell me it's normal.  She wants attention, however she still does this and will be 4 years old in a few months.  It bothers me. She seems to do this when she's bored.  She tells me she does it because it's her "Action", in exact words. I'm concerned she will go to school and do this at her desk. she pulls her fists to her chest and sweats. She normally does in either in the grocery cart, in the car or even just at home sometimes when I'm trying to do my household chores. Can anyone relate? It's as if it bothers me more than her but i don't wan't her to do this when she goes to school?  I hope it's just an attention thing????????????????

[JLTM]

My 6mth old has just started clenching her fists.  Plunket tell me it's a normal developmental milestone as she is learning to use her hands and getting used to the muscles.  They said it can go on for some time but didn't say how long.  I'd ask the GP when you're next at the doctors if your 4yr old is still doing it.

[Lily012498]

This sounds exactly like what I am researching. My infant is 8 months old and this started probably about a month ago. At first it was just while eating at times in her high chair... but now it happens also at times in her car seat or else where. It seems like she is just unhappy with where she's at or sometimes it's when she is fighting sleep. Even though this all reassured me... I am still worried. She turns her face to the side, turns red, tightens her arm and leg muscles, even the stomach... almost as though trying to poop even... but she's not. The one thing is she doesn't hold her hands really in a fist, but more so bent inwards with her arms bent. Alsmost as someone with a diability. This is what really scares me. Guess I am just looking for some more reassurance. She'll do it everyday for a week or so... and then we won't see it for a while. You can usually snap her out of it by distracting her, but then she will sometimes go back into it. I am just so scared. He next md appt is in July. It's very perplexing.

[shan161]

my daughter used to do the exact same thing and then my 2 nieces started doing it to copy her, it just phased off all of them so id say not to worry x

[Eliz0907]

My 9 month old has been doing the same thing. I noticed it when she was going through a period where she was really teething. She still does it on occasion, sometimes it just seems like she's frustrated. I asked my dr at the 9 month check-up and she said her youngest son had done the same thing and that they would call it "the mighty man". It seemed as though there was no cause for concern.

[GKAE]

THANK YOU! I was researching this and found this site and feel sooooo much better! My daughter is 8 mos and has been doing this for about a week.  It has been driving me nuts thinking of all the things it could be! So happy to see that it is normal and has happened to a lot of you! Glad not to be the only one that was going crazy!!! :) Good luck to all of you and take care!