
Newborns commonly experience leg tremors, and they can be a source of concern for parents. While these tremors are often benign, they can also indicate a more serious underlying condition. It is important for parents to be able to distinguish between normal leg tremors and those that may require medical attention. This article will explore the causes of leg tremors in newborns, the signs to look out for, and when to seek professional advice.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Normal or not | In most cases, newborn leg tremors are completely normal and harmless, and babies will outgrow them. |
Cause | The most common cause is an immature nervous system, which will mature by around 1-2 months old. |
Frequency | Around two-thirds of newborns experience some tremors before they are three days old. |
Treatment | Gently gripping the baby's leg, flexing their knee, or giving them something to suck will often stop the tremors. |
When to worry | If the tremors are rhythmic or if a limb doesn't stop trembling when you touch it, see a health care provider. |
Other causes | Caffeine in breast milk, vitamin D deficiency, substance withdrawal, seizures, low blood sugar, or cold. |
What You'll Learn
Are tremors normal in newborns?
Tremors in newborns are common and are usually harmless. However, it is essential to be vigilant and understand the difference between normal baby shakes and a more serious issue.
Causes of newborn tremors
Immature nervous system
The most common cause of newborn tremors is an immature nervous system. In newborns, the pathways that carry signals from the brain to the muscles are not yet fully developed, resulting in twitchy or shaky movements. This is especially common during the neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) and when the baby is stretching. As the baby's nervous system matures, around 1 to 2 months old, these movements will become more fluid.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus
If a baby's leg shakes while they sleep, it is likely due to a sleep disorder called benign neonatal sleep myoclonus. Similar to a hypnic jerk, these sudden muscle contractions can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes and usually disappear between 2 and 10 months old.
Caffeine in breast milk
Newborns metabolise caffeine much more slowly than adults. If you are breastfeeding and consuming a lot of caffeinated beverages, your baby may experience tremors. Most professionals recommend limiting caffeine intake to 200–300 mg or 2–3 cups of coffee per day.
Vitamin D deficiency
Jitteriness and tremors can be early signs of vitamin D deficiency, especially in breastfed infants without vitamin D supplements or those born prematurely.
Substance withdrawal
Exposure to substances like nicotine, alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine during pregnancy can result in newborn jitters and tremors. This condition may require support from a medical professional.
Other causes
Tremors may also be caused by the baby being cold, having low blood sugar, or experiencing seizures.
When to be concerned
While most newborn tremors are harmless, there are some signs that may indicate a more serious condition:
- The baby seems unwell, has difficulty feeding, or is lethargic.
- The tremors occur during a change in posture or activity, such as when the baby is about to fall asleep.
- There is a noticeable change in the baby's breathing, heart rate, eye movement, or mouth movement during the tremors.
- The tremors are rhythmic, symmetrical, or cannot be stopped by gently holding the baby's leg.
If you are concerned about your baby's tremors, don't hesitate to contact your paediatrician or healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment or reassurance.
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What causes newborn tremors?
Tremors are a rhythmic shaking that typically occurs in the arms, feet, hands, head, or legs of a newborn. While it can be alarming for new parents to witness, these involuntary movements are usually harmless and a normal part of a newborn's development. Here are some of the most common causes of newborn tremors:
Immature Nervous System:
The most common cause of newborn tremors is the immature development of the nervous system. In newborns, the pathways that carry signals from the brain to the muscles are not yet fully developed, resulting in twitchy or shaky movements. This is particularly noticeable when the baby tries to move their legs, and these jerky movements will become more fluid as the baby's nervous system matures, usually by around 1 to 2 months old.
Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus:
If a newborn's leg shakes during sleep, it could be due to a sleep disorder called Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus. Similar to a hypnic jerk that adults may experience while falling asleep, these movements can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes and are completely harmless. Newborns typically outgrow these involuntary movements between 2 and 10 months of age.
Caffeine in Breast Milk:
Newborns metabolize caffeine much more slowly than adults. If you are breastfeeding and consuming caffeinated beverages, the caffeine can pass to your baby and build up in their system, causing tremors or jitters. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers limit their caffeine intake to 200-300 mg, or 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day, to minimize the risk of caffeine-induced tremors in their newborns.
Vitamin D Deficiency:
Jitteriness and tremors in newborns can also be an early sign of vitamin D deficiency. Breastfed infants and those born prematurely are at a higher risk for this deficiency. A simple blood test can diagnose vitamin D deficiency, and it can be easily treated with supplements.
Substance Withdrawal:
Exposure to substances such as nicotine, alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine during pregnancy can result in newborn jitters and tremors. This is a serious condition that usually requires medical attention and support from a healthcare professional.
While most newborn tremors are harmless, it is important to monitor for any signs of more serious conditions. If you notice that your baby seems unwell, has difficulty feeding, is hard to wake, or exhibits lethargy, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional. Additionally, if you suspect seizures, low blood sugar, or vitamin deficiencies, seek medical advice promptly.
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How to know if newborn tremors are serious
It's understandable to be concerned when you see your newborn's odd, shaky movements, from quivering chins to trembling hands and jitters to jerky arm and leg gestures. In most cases, these extra movements are completely normal and harmless, and your baby will likely outgrow them. However, it's important to know when these newborn tremors could indicate a more serious issue. Here are some guidelines to help you determine whether your newborn's leg tremors are cause for concern:
- Frequency and consistency: Frequent, prolonged, and consistent crying, along with shaking, may indicate a problem that requires medical attention.
- Feeding difficulties: If your baby hasn't been feeding well, it could be a sign of low blood sugar or other underlying issues.
- Lethargy: If your baby is difficult to wake or appears lethargic, it could be a sign of low blood sugar or other conditions.
- Substance exposure: If your baby was exposed to nicotine, drugs, or alcohol while in the womb, their tremors could be a sign of substance withdrawal.
- Seizure-like symptoms: If the tremors are accompanied by a noticeable change in your baby's breathing, heart rate, eye movement, or mouth movement, or if the movements are rhythmic, symmetrical, and cannot be stopped by gently holding their leg, it could indicate a seizure.
- Cold: If your baby is chilly, they may shiver, and you can warm them up gently with a cuddle or an extra layer.
- Caffeine intake: If you're breastfeeding and consuming a lot of caffeinated beverages, the caffeine may be causing your baby's tremors.
- Vitamin D deficiency: Jitteriness and tremors can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency, especially if your baby is breastfed without vitamin D supplements or was born prematurely.
- Low blood sugar: Tremors are a common symptom of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. Other signs include a blue tint to the skin or lips, lethargy, and a lack of interest in feeding.
- Developmental stage: Different parts of the body tend to twitch at different developmental stages, and this is expected as a natural part of fine motor skills development.
- Immature nervous system: In newborns, the pathways that carry signals from the brain to the body aren't fully developed yet, resulting in jerky and twitchy movements. These movements will become more fluid as your baby's nervous system matures, usually by around 1 to 2 months old.
If you're concerned about your newborn's tremors, don't hesitate to contact your paediatrician or healthcare provider. They can provide guidance, run necessary tests, and recommend treatment options if needed.
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How to stop newborn leg tremors
Newborn leg tremors are usually harmless and are usually just a sign of your baby’s nervous system developing and adapting to life outside the womb. However, if you are concerned about newborn leg tremors, here are some steps you can take to try and stop them:
- Gently grip your baby's leg or flex their knee: In most cases, gently holding your baby's leg or flexing their knee will stop the trembling.
- Give them something to suck on: If your baby is jittery, try giving them something to suck on. If the trembling stops, it's likely that your baby was just experiencing normal trembling.
- Check your caffeine intake: If you are breastfeeding, consider reducing your caffeine intake. Newborns metabolise caffeine much more slowly than adults, so even a small amount of caffeine can cause them to get the jitters.
- Keep them warm: If your baby is chilly, their neck will feel cool, they may become still or lethargic, and their hands and feet might appear slightly blue. Warm them up gently with a cuddle or an extra layer, and the shivering will stop on its own.
- Swaddling: If your baby is experiencing tremors due to the Moro reflex, swaddling or using a sleep sack can help curb the reflex during naps.
If these measures do not work, consult your baby's doctor as there might be a more serious problem.
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When do newborn tremors stop
Tremors in newborns are usually harmless and are to be expected as the baby's nervous system is still developing. In most cases, these extra movements are completely normal and harmless, and the baby will outgrow them.
Immature nervous system
The most common cause of twitching and jerky movements in a newborn's legs is their immature nervous system. The pathways that carry signals from the brain to the muscles are not yet fully developed, so when the baby tries to move its leg, the result is twitchy or shaky. This is perfectly normal and will stop on its own in a few weeks as the nervous system matures, usually by around 1 to 2 months old.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus
If your baby's leg shakes while they sleep, it's probably due to a sleep disorder called Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus. It's similar to a hypnic jerk, a sudden muscle contraction that can happen while falling asleep. These can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes and don't cause any harm. Your baby will grow out of them between 2 and 10 months old.
Caffeine in breast milk
If you're breastfeeding and consuming caffeinated beverages, this may cause your baby to twitch or jitter. Caffeine is metabolised much more slowly by newborns than adults. While a little caffeine (up to 300mg or about 2-3 cups of coffee) is not a problem, larger amounts can pass to the baby and build up.
Other causes
Tremors can also be caused by the baby being cold, having low blood sugar, or being excited or unhappy, for example, during a diaper change.
When to be concerned
While tremors are usually harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, such as seizures, deficiencies, or low blood sugar. If your baby seems unwell, has difficulty feeding, is hard to wake, or shows other signs of concern, seek medical advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, leg tremors are normal in newborns. In most cases, these extra movements are completely harmless and the baby will outgrow them. However, it is important to understand the difference between normal baby shakes and a more serious issue such as seizures.
The following signs may indicate your newborn is experiencing a seizure:
- Rhythmic and symmetrical movements that occur on one or both sides of the body.
- Shaking or jerking that cannot be stopped by gently holding their limb.
- Repeated episodes that are identical in features and duration.
- Noticeable changes in breathing, heart rate, eye movement, or mouth movement.
If your newborn's leg tremors are accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, difficulty feeding, or a noticeable change in their breathing or heart rate, it is important to consult a doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious condition such as low blood sugar, vitamin D deficiency, or substance withdrawal.