Don’t hesitate to contact your baby’s doctor. We just want our babies to be okay, to thrive, and grow. Other more serious causes of back arching may need physical therapy, medications, surgery, or other medical treatment. Turn off the television sound and play soft music, for a soothing effect. Sometimes it’s hard for doctors to diagnose what goes on outside of their examination rooms, but here are a couple of things you can bring with you to help them see the whole picture. Marking Territory You see it everyday: Felix backs his rear up to the wall, arches his back, sticks his tail straight up and shakes his rear. Dr. Jansheski is the mother to three sons, has sponsored a young girl in India for the past 7 years and has also devoted her time to a new charity that she founded, Helping Hands M.D. But, sometimes if they’re spitting up and seem to have other symptoms, they may arch their back. Sometimes they will simply arch their back as a way to communicate with you and give you the message that they are upset, tired, or hungry.

Gassiness can be common in a baby’s brand new digestive system. Don’t forget to document what you’ve experienced. You can even try giving your baby a relaxing back massage. 3. If a baby is flexing their back up when they cry it usually means they are feeling more than just the normal baby pains. Let’s get to the heart of the matter and look at the possibilities of what’s causing your baby’s arching back. Help! This position helps to open up their airways and makes breathing easier while they sleep (6). Sometimes, the nerves between the neck and shoulders can get damaged. Signs of this condition might show up while your little one is a baby or toddler. In most cases, these seizures start around the age of four months, but in rare cases, they can start earlier, or even as late as two years old. Other symptoms of Sandifer syndrome include: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically show several signs. If your baby is arching his back and tilting his head backwards while sleeping and sometimes waking up violently crying then perhaps they may be suffering from sleep apnea. Children with autism have issues relating to others and developing social bonds, even to the people closest to them. If you’re still struggling with your baby arching their back, take a moment, breathe deep, and realize this is not your fault. Gravity helps keep the stomach acid down where it belongs. Solutions and treatments for back arching in babies, Get Ready for All These Precious First-Year Milestones, Baby Feeding Schedule: A Guide to the First Year, Have a Whiny Baby?

We’ll consider less serious, more likely causes first. You will know this is the case when, if you try your typical methods of attending to your baby’s needs such as feeding, repositioning, changing diapers, or distraction, the arching and crying stop pretty quickly. It can happen at any time, usually when your baby is awake or just drifting asleep. Sometimes your baby might arch their back because they don’t want to be held or fed. How Many Diapers Do I Need? In the meantime, read up on colic for some tips and tricks on how to deal with it, both for your baby and for your own sanity. It happens because a new baby’s tiny liver is not yet working properly, which causes too much bilirubin in the blood.

The other reason infant back arching (with or without crying) can be cause for concern is that arching the back is also an early symptom of spastic cerebral palsy. Similar to when babies have colic, they might arch their back because it helps bring down the feeling that come with reflux. These situations are less likely, but you may want to consider them if you’re sure the reasons we’ve already discussed are off the table. Is your baby repeatedly arching their back seemingly without being able to control it? One rare type of newborn seizures can run in families. Some theories are that it is gas or poor digestion, an immature nervous system, or a sensitive temperament, but the reason for it is still unknown. Your baby’s delicate neck and back can get sprained in a difficult delivery. Back arching is a common reflex that babies exhibit when they suffer from very acute or strong pain. Cerebral palsy can be a cause. step back definition: 1. to temporarily stop being involved in an activity or situation in order to think about it in a…. Last medically reviewed on March 24, 2020, As a parent, you're likely watching your little one's every move and wondering it they're "on time" for those precious baby development stages. In some cases, an arched back along with other symptoms can signal a health condition. Let your pediatrician know what you notice. Some babies may arch their backs during what appears to be seizure-like behavior. Sandifer syndrome is a rare movement condition almost always associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some babies with this condition may also be more likely to have seizures. You know your baby best, so if you feel your baby is going through something serious, always trust your gut. Why is my toddler angry and what can I do to help them? We'll…, You may have questions about feeding your baby. There are other early signs of autism such as poor eye contact, not smiling, and delayed development of language that are helpful to know and to watch for as your baby grows. Some babies have strong back muscles and this may be the easiest way — other than crying — for their body to tell you what they want. Newborn infants will often cry because they are in discomfort or mild pain. Here’s What You Should Know.