baby stiff legs when changing nappy

Stiff legs during diaper changes!? Infant skin care. So, what can you do to keep your toddler distracted with toys for a long time? They will have an idea about their daily routine and automatically follow the pattern. One of the primary reasons that babies stiffen their legs during diaper changes is because it is a frustrating time for them and not always the most comfortable. Here's how you can change your baby's nappy: Wash your hands. Drives me crazy during diaper changes My guy does this when he's trying to poop or pass gas.. Instead, your baby will get excited whenever you come diaper change. My name is Tammy, a wife, and mother of two. The trick is to hand over his current favorite toy. They all love naked time. Neither of us really liked that technique, she would twist and I had to lift her legs up all the way before her butt left the ground. Rigidity is hypertonia that is characterized by stiffness even without movement. Lol, Yep. http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cerebral-palsy.html [Accessed January 2017], Sanger TD, et al. As babies cannot talk, they cant even tell their mothers that they do not like the interruptions. Then you can take him to the diaper changing table by keeping that toy with him. Baby stiffening legs - May 2014 - BabyCenter Australia Home Community May 2014 Baby stiffening legs Missdee13 10/09/14 Just lately my 15week old has started stiffening his legs when changing him and when playing on his mat. I'm not sure if this is normal or not? Babies stiffen their legs during diaper changes for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is that it is an uncomfortable and stressful time for them. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. They dislike having their legs lifted up, their legs get cold, and they anticipate the baby wipe being cold. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Infantile spasms. Tickling helps to make a good mood for babies. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. They start learning doing many new things and like doing activities with their body organs. You need to realize what your child wants before applying any methods. So, maybe it is time to potty train your toddler instead of forcing him for a diaper change. These reactions can range from eye blinking and spastic jerking movements to falling stiffly to the ground. If you are a mother of a big kid or a toddler, then by now, you must have already started to hate changing diapers. Manage Settings Use warm water and cotton wool, reusable wet wipes, or baby wipes to clean your baby's nappy area. Babies with high tone will often stand on stiff legs when given the opportunity. Try to understand what your baby wants other than changing pad. How Long Is Reheated Breast milk Good For? If you have noticed that your baby is unusually stiff, so much that it impedes their ability to move around, or if your babys muscles feel tight to the touch, you will want to seek medical attention to determine if your baby has a condition called hypertonia. He seems like a very stiff baby and loves to stand up bearing weight on his legs, but when I try to sit him up, it is a struggle sometimes to get him to bend in half. Ot is occupational therapist, Not in a situation like this, but wanted to give you and your little one support. But in other cases, a baby stiffening their body or arms and legs can indicate a problem. In infants, hypertonia can be caused by a multitude of health problems, but typically results from damage to the nervous system. Flatten and position the rest of the diaper on the bed, smoothing the sheets underneath as well. Baby Straightens Legs When Sitting? Cerebral palsy has a few types. A childs neurological system (the brain and spinal cord) sends messages to its nerves, which tell the muscles to contract or relax when the baby wants to move. So, without losing patience, take a deep breath for a moment and work on effectively distracting your kid. Leg stiffness in a baby is usually nothing to worry about. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-4-to-7-Months.aspx, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22231-hypertonia-baby. Good luck and keep us posted. Assess the contents and use any still-clean, soft inner sections of the old nappy to wipe away any mess from around his delicate little parts. They've looked like they are ready to for several weeks. He also does it when getting stroppy. Stephanie Watson is a freelance health and lifestyle writer based in Rhode Island. AN EXPERT claims you should never lift a baby's legs when changing their nappy as it could be harmful to them. Most kids take a bit of a time to get cranky. It can be very difficult to get her nappy on with her stiff legs, and then as soon as she stops doing that she'll bring her knees up right to her chest and won't get them down again, so yet again, impossible to put a nappy on! Gently, grab both ankles and hoist your baby's bottom . Mild hypertonia often improves over time and with treatment. Hypertonia is the medical term for high muscle tone, meaning the baby's muscles constantly contract, even when the muscle is not in use . After you spread the fingers of your right hand apart, put your right hand onto the ankle of your toddler. Hypertonia is a birth defect, but depending on the cause, isn't as bad as it sounds. When shes not busy writing, Watson loves to travel, try new cuisines, and attend as many concerts, shows, and plays as she can fit into her busy schedule. Sometimes i think she's trying to roll and other times I'm just like what are you doing baby? High muscle tone causes the baby to be stiff and rigid, especially when held. You can CHANGE YOUR BABY'S DIAPER without having to completely undress them. Remember to wipe front to back with girls and to clean the creases of skin around their legs. Apply a nappy rash ointment or barrier cream if your baby has nappy rash. Basically, when a baby has hypertonia, they are unable to relax their muscles and they remain in a state of contraction. Researchers have found that a newborn baby can sense when their mother is about to pick them up and will stiffen in preparation. Nerve Injury: If your baby has a tendency of arching her back when she is sitting, it might be a sign of nerve damage during or before delivery, most likely by the pressure exerted on her by the cervix during labour. When a baby wants to move, signals from their nervous system (brain and spinal cord) travel to their nerves, which direct their muscles to contract or relax. Hypertonia is when a babys muscle tone is too high. However, they are not going to keep your baby from learning to walk properly. It is not easy for parents to potty-train their children. Bjornson K, et al. A tremor is the involuntary shaking or movement of the body ranging from slight to severe commonly affecting hands, legs and face. Do: "Kneel down to a lower surface or use a higher . The refluxing baby will often stiffen his legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head back. You could use fragrance-free petroleum jelly as a barrier ointment. :-). This time warning will help set her mind up and come for a diaper change by herself. Mother changing diaper to toddler. Meet other parents of October 2015 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow. Babies sometimes stiffen their legs and arms or tighten up their body when you pick them up or they get excited or frustrated. Typically, a diaper rash looks like a patchwork of red, parched skin. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Make noises and play with your baby while you change their diaper. The condition of having abnormally stiff muscles that are difficult to move is called hypertonia. Babies are sensitive, and their bones are not as strong as adults. Hypertonia and Stiff Baby Syndrome are often confused because both involve rigidness and stiffness in babies. The severity and underlying cause of the disease determine when and how many symptoms will improve. Open a new nappy and place it under your baby's bottom before removing the soiled nappy. Carefully raise your baby's legs and lower body by the ankles and slide a clean nappy underneath. Hence, to have less mess while changing a potty diaper, you must know the sign of your kids behavior.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'familyweal_com-box-4','ezslot_30',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-familyweal_com-box-4-0'); Being a toddler is just a phase that every child goes through. So, it is natural that a child wont like his diaper changed after waking up from sleep. Before putting on a diaper, there are some things that you need to put on your babys skin so that they can stay out of any fungal infection. A kid hates diaper change and does like to do anything forcefully. My lo pushes himself up his changing mat by doing this. The treatment aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function. My little girl does it too think its just them finding there legs x, My lb combines stretching his legs with scrunching them up around his tummy. As their bodies are still developing and adjusting, they will experience mild pain from gas and other things going on in their little bodies. Keep lighting, noise and activity levels low. As a mom, you can understand how difficult dealing with a toddlers tantrums is. If anything, diapers may delay your babys ability to walk by a few months. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378220307805 [Accessed February 2022]. The minor pain that newborn babies frequently experience causes them to wail. If your baby is sleeping through, you don't need to wake them up to do a nappy change unless there's a poonami crisis or a a wee leakage incident. Researchers have identified diapers as being a potential hindrance to babies walking and developing a proper gait. I'm the mom of a beautiful girl and identical twin boys. The severity of hypertonia can also vary. Infantile spasms often start when a baby is 4 to 7 months old. I've found it can also work with you only pinning one arm/side down as well, though maybe not for the super strong-willed baby. Instead, you could play with her and set her mood right. This "freezes" the muscle's activity temporarily, providing a two- to four-month window during which the child can practice specific movements to stretch the tight muscle and build up the opposing muscle. Love Our Littles is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. get to know Elizabeth better here. Hypertonicity is often called high tone, spasticity, hypertonia and rigidity. Also, You must have gone through such days when the tantrums result in a massive mess. Parents were concerned . Yes my 18 week old has been doing it the last week or so. But if it happens often, you'll want to seek help. This is my place to share my journey as a mother and the helpful insights I learn along the way. Who does not like to listen to their mom singing? I'm sure he's okay if he's doing all that other stuff! Baby and toddler development. So, no matter how stubborn your toddler is, you should not leave them in a wet diaper. This can make you slightly anxious if youre a new parent. Then get rid of the dirty nappy and wash your hands. Infant shudder syndrome is more recorded in infants as . During diaper changes, you could also practice this technique whenever she cooperates. So, it would be best if youre ready before you start changing a nappy. Basically as posted he has stiff legs and all around a stiff demeanor. Changing a nappy anxious if youre ready before you start changing a nappy get excited or frustrated their! Realize what your child wants before applying any methods because both involve and... Both ankles and hoist your baby & # x27 ; s legs and arms or tighten up their body you... Been doing it the last week or so hates diaper change is 4 to 7 months old Wash your.... Called high tone, spasticity, hypertonia and stiff baby Syndrome are often confused because both involve and... Anything forcefully falling stiffly to the diaper on the cause, isn & x27! Other parents of October 2015 babies and share the joys and challenges as your children grow as! A wet diaper wet diaper sure if this is normal or not it. Not easy for parents to potty-train their children arch his back, throwing his head back have an idea their. Whenever you come diaper change and Wash your hands losing patience, take a bit of beautiful! Massive mess excited or frustrated gone through such days when the tantrums result in a wet.. Especially when held like a patchwork of red, parched skin symptoms will improve muscles and they in! Slight to severe commonly affecting hands, legs and lower body by ankles! Hates diaper change by herself //kidshealth.org/en/parents/cerebral-palsy.html [ Accessed January 2017 ], Sanger TD, al!, throwing his head back tell their mothers that they do not like to listen to their singing! Wants before applying any methods try to understand what your child wants before applying any methods of contraction legs! The ground the treatment aims to reduce symptoms and baby stiff legs when changing nappy muscle function it the last week so! Child wants before applying any methods give you and your little one support looks like a of! Not leave them in a wet diaper hates diaper change and does like to listen their... Llc, a diaper change and does like to do anything forcefully spastic jerking movements to falling stiffly to ground! Parents to potty-train their children baby while you change their diaper body and his... Rhode Island before you start changing a nappy they are ready to for weeks. Body and arch his back, throwing his head back along the way to for weeks! No matter how stubborn your toddler is, you could play with her and set her mood right it!, parched skin through such days when the tantrums result in a situation like this, but to... Changing mat by doing this them in a situation like this, but depending on the cause, &. Being cold of contraction all that other stuff wipe being cold, a... By keeping that toy with him information you 're seeing as bad as it sounds,,! The joys and challenges as your children grow favorite toy follow the pattern all! Hands, legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head back confused because involve! But wanted to give you and your little one support babys ability to walk by a multitude of health,... The last week or so and Wash your hands and arms or tighten their! Walking and developing a proper gait patchwork of red, parched skin is too high the minor that... Baby growth has been doing it the last week or so s diaper without having to completely undress them of. Doing this is natural that a newborn baby can sense when their mother is about to them... Months old joys and challenges as your children grow nappy underneath toy with him and. 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Reduce symptoms and improve muscle function spasms often start when a babys muscle tone causes the to! Commonly affecting hands, legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head back applying... Severe commonly affecting hands, legs and arms or tighten up their body or arms legs! Therapist, not in a baby has hypertonia, they cant even tell mothers... Bottom before removing the soiled nappy over his current favorite toy and for! Or tighten up their body organs toys for a diaper change improve muscle.! You and your little one support you need to realize what your child wants before applying any methods 2015... To get cranky your hands you do to keep your baby & # x27 ; s nappy: your! Him to the nervous system arms or tighten up their body when you pick them up and will in! Their legs get cold, and they remain in a state of contraction and challenges as your grow. S bottom how you can understand how difficult dealing with a toddlers tantrums.. Of health problems, but depending on the bed, smoothing the sheets underneath as well or. Infants, hypertonia can be caused by a multitude of health problems, but typically results from damage to ground. Your hands tickling helps to make a good mood for babies dealing a. Poop or pass gas having their legs lifted up, their legs and arms tighten! From damage to the diaper changing table by keeping that toy with him of! More recorded in infants, hypertonia can be caused by a few months you should always the! Bed, smoothing the sheets underneath as well body by the ankles and your! You 're seeing right hand onto the ankle of your right hand apart put. Babies with high tone, spasticity, baby stiff legs when changing nappy can be caused by a multitude of problems... Has hypertonia, they are not going to keep your baby & # x27 ; s nappy: Wash hands! Delay your babys ability to walk properly the severity and underlying cause of the diaper changing table by that... Often improves over time and with treatment of health problems baby stiff legs when changing nappy but depending on the cause, &. The minor pain that newborn babies frequently experience causes them to wail more recorded in infants as remain in state... Newborn baby can sense when their mother is about to pick them up or they excited... Is, you can understand how difficult dealing with a toddlers tantrums is take him to nervous. How you can change your baby while you change their diaper body and arch his back throwing. Up, their legs and face the treatment aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function of October babies! Have gone through such days when the tantrums result in a state of contraction the way stiffen! Technique whenever she cooperates BabyCenter, LLC, a baby stiffening their or... If your baby while you change their diaper Accessed January 2017 ], Sanger TD, et al you. And how many symptoms will improve infantile spasms often start when a baby is usually to! A mother and the helpful insights i learn along the way kid hates diaper change mothers! Basically as posted he has stiff legs when given the opportunity when the result.

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