Newborn Arching Back: What's Normal And What's Not

As a new parent, it can be frustrating trying to understand what your baby needs. Why are they crying? Are they hungry, in pain, or tired? Are they waving their arms and legs to communicate?

Arching their back is one of the main ways babies communicate with adults. While it could be a sign of their body language development, it could also indicate developmental impairments such as neurological and physical disorders.

Babies usually start to arch their back at around six to nine months. They do this to express their irritation or inability to communicate clearly. According to medical professionals, almost all babies go through this phase to show their parents that they are frustrated.

If your baby is arching their back, it could be due to several reasons, ranging from emotional to physical pain, or even certain medical conditions.

Colic

• A high-pitched cry
• Crying that sounds like screaming
• Being difficult to soothe
• Inability to calm down
• Having their face turn red while their lips remain pale
• Bending knees up, stiffening arms, arching back, or clenching fists

If your baby has colic, there are some things you can try to soothe them:

• Hold or cuddle your baby when they're crying a lot
• Sit or hold your baby upright during feeding to prevent them from swallowing air
• Wind your baby after feeds
• Gently rock your baby over your shoulder, in their crib, or in their pram
• Bathe your baby in a warm bath
• Play some gentle white noise, like the radio or TV, in the background to distract them

If you are concerned about your baby's colic or nothing seems to be working, speak to your health visitor, doctor, or another healthcare provider. They can advise you on potential treatments and check for other possible causes of your baby's crying.

Acid reflux

Symptoms

• Spitting up and vomiting
• Refusal to eat and difficulty swallowing
• Irritability during feeding
• Wet burps or hiccups
• Failure to gain weight
• Frequent coughing or recurrent pneumonia
• Chest pain or heartburn
• Gagging or choking

Treatments

If your baby has acid reflux, there are some simple remedies you can try at home:

• Prop your baby upright during and after feeding
• Avoid overfeeding
• Give smaller feeds more often
• Use a smaller bottle and nipple size to reduce air intake
• Thicken breast milk or formula with a small amount of infant cereal (check with your pediatrician first)

If these remedies don't work, or if your baby is experiencing other symptoms such as crying for 3 or more hours, appearing to be in pain, throwing up every time you feed them, or not gaining weight, you should contact your doctor.

Emotional communication

Before babies can talk, they communicate through body language and crying. Arching their back is one way they might express their needs, mood, or discomfort.

Hunger or Frustration

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Arching their back can be a baby's way of telling you they are hungry or frustrated. This could be because they are impatient for milk or formula, or because the flow of milk or formula is too slow or too fast.

Gas or Reflux

Babies might arch their back to stretch out their stomachs and tiny digestive systems if they are feeling gassy or have an upset stomach. This is often done after feeding, when trying to poop, or while lying down.

Colic

Colic is a common problem for newborn babies, and it can cause them to arch their back while crying. Colic usually goes away as the baby develops, but it can be distressing for both the baby and the parents in the meantime.

Temper Tantrums

Older babies and toddlers might arch their back as part of a temper tantrum. They are experiencing new and complicated emotions, but they don't yet have the communication skills to express their frustration and disappointment.

Tummy Time or Exploration

As your baby gets used to tummy time, they will start to realise that arching their back gives them a better viewpoint of the world, allowing them to look around and see more.

Startle Reflex

Most babies have a startle reflex, also called the Moro reflex, which can make them arch their back when they are startled by a loud noise or sudden movement. This usually goes away by the time the baby is 2 to 4 months old.

Seizures

In rare cases, arching the back could be a sign of seizures. However, seizures in newborns usually involve other symptoms such as unresponsiveness, staring, or loss of consciousness.

Sleep issues

Back arching during sleep can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a common issue in newborns that usually resolves itself by 18 months. If your baby is spitting up frequently, this could be the cause. As long as your baby is growing and developing as expected, reflux is not a major concern. However, if it persists beyond 18 months or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be indicative of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Back arching during sleep can also be a sign of Sandifer syndrome, a rare movement condition associated with GERD. This causes serious back arching that can last up to 3 minutes and may be mistaken for a seizure. It typically occurs about 10 times a day after your baby has eaten and is accompanied by other symptoms such as tilting the head to one side and nodding movements.

In rare cases, back arching during sleep could be a sign of seizures. Newborn seizures are uncommon but can occur due to the baby's brain still developing. These usually stop by the time the child is 6 to 9 months old.

If your baby is arching their back during sleep frequently or displaying other symptoms of concern, it is important to consult your paediatrician.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

While arching the back is a common behaviour in newborns, in some cases, it can be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is important to note that autistic children typically show several other signs and symptoms, and a diagnosis is usually not made until the child is around three years old.

Autistic children may show early symptoms around the time they are one year old, or even earlier. By the end of the first year, an autistic child may show more common traits, such as:

• Not smiling spontaneously at parents or caregivers
• Not using eye contact to communicate
• Not gesturing (waving or pointing) on their own

Later on, the child may show other repetitive motions, such as:

• Stiffening their arms
• Flapping their hands
• Walking on their toes

If you are concerned that your child may be exhibiting signs of autism, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to perform a full evaluation and provide a diagnosis if necessary.

Other Possible Causes of Back Arching in Babies

There are several other possible causes of back arching in babies, including:

• Gassiness or an upset stomach: Arching the back can help stretch the stomach and provide some relief.
• Colic: This is a common problem in newborns, causing gastrointestinal discomfort and intense pain.
• Infant acid reflux: Food or milk in the stomach is pushed back up into the throat and oesophagus, causing discomfort and pain.
• Nerve damage: During a difficult vaginal delivery, babies may suffer damage to the nerves in their shoulders, resulting in acute pain along the neck and back.
• Jaundice/Kernicterus: Jaundice is a common condition in newborns caused by excess bilirubin in the bloodstream. If left untreated, it can lead to kernicterus, a rare type of brain damage.
• Cerebral palsy: A movement disorder caused by damage to the developing brain, resulting in involuntary muscle contractions and rigidity.

Frequently asked questions