Recently, experts have noticed that the little ones go through a specific set of behaviors when they’re excited.
Both hands raised wide; eyes opened wide and deliberately shook out of joy.
It could be over a new toy, a new experience (such as the first time they stepped into the sea), or even a portion of fresh food.
They shake so rapidly that it looks like they are vibrating with excitement.
If you were a bit concerned about why does the baby tenses up and shakes when excited? Take a look at this article.
Baby Tenses Up And Shakes When Excited
New parents get worried when they notice their babies’ unusual shaky movements, such as quivering chins, trembling hands, and jerky movements of the arms and legs.
Your baby will usually outgrow these different movements, as they are normal and harmless.
A seizure can also cause baby shakes, so understanding the difference between the two is essential.
This article discusses some common causes of baby shaking and when to be concerned about it.
People usually shudder when they are cold. It is usually a temporary reaction that passes as soon as they warm up.
Body motions are uncontrollable, but involuntary ones, such as shivering, are unavoidable.
Sneezing and hiccuping are two other involuntary bodily functions. Continue reading to learn why your toddler shakes when excited.
1. Babies Shake When They Are Excited, Is That Normal?
Certainly! It happens pretty often. The reason is that babies’ nervous systems are still developing.
During this development stage of their nervous system, their muscles receive too many electrical impulses, resulting in twitching.
When they see someone they know or a toy they love, babies usually shake with excitement.
There are many ways that a baby might show this – for example, by shaking his whole body or clenching his fists.
Sometimes a baby will also tremble or shake at seemingly random times when they have no apparent reason to be excited, and sometimes it lasts for a few seconds.
The cause of this infant shuddering is not entirely understood, but it’s not harmful, and it usually disappears by the time they reach the age of four.
A shuddering attack, infant shudder syndrome, or shuddering spell is sometimes called this.
2. If Your Baby Shakes A Lot, You Should Be Concerned
Life is incomplete without being a parent. There are several specific seizure warning signs to look out for, including shaking:
- Over 20 seconds, shaking is likely to occur
- You are vomiting, moving your eyes strangely, or losing consciousness if you experience shaking
- Afterward, if the baby sleeps for a long time, it may be caused by illness or injury
- In case of any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The best person to assess your baby’s health is you, so even if you don’t see any of the warning signs, call your doctor or NHS 111.
You might consider showing your health care provider a video of the shaking behavior you are concerned about.
3. How Do You Know If A Baby Is Autistic If He Shakes When Excited?
There would seem to be many parents who are concerned that their baby’s shaking or shuddering is an indication of autism based on the number of searches on Google about babies shaking with excitement and infant shuddering.
As a way of calming themselves (also known as ‘stimming’), many people with autism shake or flap their hands.
The infant shudder syndrome may seem like the shaking spells experienced by a highly excited baby; however, this is not a sign of autism.
Some neurotypical children shake or flap their hands in excitement, so just because your child shows these behaviors doesn’t mean they have autism.
early signs of autism such as lack of eye contact and smiling are more reliable red flags, such as early signs of autism.
In the end, you’re the best person to know your baby – so if you have concerns, consult your doctor.
4. Shaking Or Shuddering In Babies Due To Other Causes
Babies’ shaking or shuddering movements have other reasons than excitement, like infant shudder syndrome or epilepsy.
Babies and toddlers often shake their heads from side to side when they fall asleep – this might be a method to help them sleep (although it doesn’t look very restful, especially when they begin head-banging! ), or it might be a sign of teething or an ear infection.
When a baby is teething, especially after a meal, several babies are prone to shaking their heads wildly from side to side.
It’s a sure sign that their teeth are troublesome.
It’s also possible that infant shudder syndrome is a sign of vitamin D deficiency in very young babies.
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, make sure they get vitamin D drops according to NHS guidelines (babies who are formula-fed get their vitamins already from the formula).
See a similar post: Toddler Shakes When Excited
Summary
Therefore, there are many reasons why a baby tenses up and shakes when excited, but if they display this behavior specifically when eager, it’s probably nothing to worry about.
Though continuing to shake or shudder can be concerning in some situations, as a parent, make sure to follow your best judgment, err on the side of caution, and consult a physician if you think it is necessary.
It’s not just the shaking that freaks out parents when their babies act up!
Also, read: Baby Stiffens Body When Picked Up
Frequently Asked Questions
When My Baby Is Excited, Why Does He Stiffen Up And Shake?
As a result of hypertonia, the baby’s muscles are stiff and difficult to move. Areas of the brain control movements of the muscles and spinal cord damage.
Baby’s muscles need to contract to move their bodies and sit upright, but constantly contracted muscles become less flexible.
When My Baby Shakes And Tenses Up, What Causes This?
Hunger can sometimes manifest itself in arm and leg movements in a baby. We also consider crying to be a sign of anxiety.
Other reactions like growling include shaking, trembling, and stiffening. A low blood sugar level can also cause babies to shiver.
How Does Infant Shudder Syndrome Affect Babies?
Shaking attacks are benign diseases that typically occur in infancy or early childhood.
The attacks are accompanied by shivering movements that last for several seconds without impairing consciousness.
Unlike epileptic seizures, shaking attacks are not life-threatening.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.