Newborn Habits

When my baby was a newborn she was the same way. It's almost like they are shocked awake and kick suddenly. I only swaddled mine twice i think, and it never worked for her, it seemed like the moment she was out she just wanted to stretch and kick. I even have a pic of her in her NICU basinette with her arms by her head and in the background you can see my bf asleep the same way. =) I also didn't know newborns grunted and squeeked until I had her. They make some weird noises. I would say if she's not crying in pain or making a painful face she is probably fine. I always would press on my baby's tummy and if it was gas pains she would let me know because it didn't feel too good. If nothing happened I knew she was just kicking to kick. Good Luck!

Each baby is a little different... I have had some that love being swaddled & others that hated it. They do make different noises when they sleep & when they are awake. If it was a gas thing the baby wouldn't be sleeping... believe me - I had one with gas issues.

To be totally honest - I'm expecting #5 & I still have questions. Like I said - each one is different... but that is what make each one special.

Congratz on the little one... if you are truely concerned - talk to the doc when you see them next. It's always better to talk about something then to fear it or not feel informed.

awwww. both my babies slept with their arms up,(thankz for the memory)

yeah everything is fine, just imagine you were sleepinf inside a confined space for 9 months then got out, youd stretchhhhh out, then during sleep when the "uterus wall did not stop the wandering of your feet and hands, youd be alarmed at first.....then stretccccchhhhhhh out again

by the swaddling is only for babies who truly need the confined feeling, under periods of stress, or all the time for babies who just like it. They are all different. Both of my babies did that...alot, and they are very different types of kiddos, no worries my dear.

btw, if you are worried about that, you should learn to relax or some of the things ahead are going to give u a panic attack, congratulations mommy!

When we went for our 2 week visit with our first son I was exhausted and told the dr that he never slept. Dr asked if we were swaddling him, I said "no, he doesn't like it, he always breaks out". Dr told me that didn't mean he didn't like it. He said that most babies actually need to be swaddled to feel comfortable. They are so used to being warm and cozy. He said something about his nervous system developing and that was why he was flailing his arms around so much. We followed his suggestion and started swaddling him again - and it worked!

Oh yes, it's totally normal and I wouldn't worry about it at all (though you will!) unless she's waking and crying and seeming uncomfortable. The sudden movements are reflexes, and as new moms and baby-watchers, it seems crazy, but that's just what babies do. They make a lot of noise. They grunt, they fling their limbs out of nowhere, it's all normal. My daughter also wanted her arms free so we just swaddled her body and let her arms lay out. She usually slept in a T shape with her arms stretched out wide. I know it's hard to not worry about every little thing, but this is one thing you don't have to worry about. If you can sleep through her movements and noises, it will be easier. I was such a chronic insomniac as a new mom, I had to resort to ear plugs or I would wake with every little gurgle and fart. Enjoy getting to know you're baby, sounds like you're just fine!! :)

You are probably describing the startle reflex which is totally normal and appropriate. That is why they recommend swaddling babies...most like to be swaddled, some don't. Mine never did, but they co-slept with me and napped in a carrier, so they had the snug sensation either way.

I wouldn't look for things like gas unless she is inconsolable. They make funny noises and movements and are just very "natural" beings for a while. Get to about 6-8 weeks and they will start to seem more baby like and less newborn. 16 weeks and you have a little baby that seems more like the Gerber images we see in advertising.

My cousin swaddles, but leaves one arm free and her daughter sleeps like a champ. You can also, if you are comfortable, let her sleep/nap on her belly. That will also help them keep from startling (although not recommended....lots of babies do it!)

Congrats mama, sounds like you have a perfectly normal baby!

Hey there, I call it the baby freak out. Yes, very normal. Both of my sons grunted too. They will out grow it.

This is very normal.

Hi S.,
This is normal. My daughter hated being swaddled and could work her way out of it when she was a week old. She was very active from the start. When she was born and the nurse laid her in the little bed she rolled over on her side and has always slept on her side and stomach no matter how hard I tried to get her to sleep on her back. She moved, and at 3 still moves, constantly. She will probably be an active little girl. Make sure you get plenty of rest now because when she is able to crawl you are going to be on the go. Have fun.

Your pediatrician should have given you a free copy of "Your Baby's First Year" when you took them to the office for the first time following the birth. READ IT!

It was my saving grave the first few months with our son so I could understand what was normal behavior, what I should contact the pediatrician about, etc.

1 of my kids liked being swaddled, the other hated it.
As a newborn, they have absolutely no control over their muscles and rely completely upon reflexes which can be completely entertaining to us as adults.

She could be gassy, but those little noises are just how babies operate, and they'll be gone before you know it. Enjoy them while they last!

Sounds like normal baby reflexes. Which actually is half the reason you might want to swaddle her. These reflexes can wake her up and swaddling prevents her from doing that.

Very normal so I found out just under 4 months ago with my new baby! She tosses and turns now as well until she finally gets that perfect position. Enjoy your new baby and congrats!

it's very annoying...but very very normal :) My babe slept in bed with us and drove me crazy because he would start "digging" at me every night for a few months--he would just dig his little feet and hands into me and grunt and whine but never fully wake up. It's just part of their development, best of luck and congratulations on your new baby!

S.,

I can't respond on the grunts. But I can speak from experience on the not liking to be swaddled. My daughter HATED to be swaddled. She would let the nurses in the NICU swaddle her & she would sleep fine. For me, not so much.

So what I did with her. I took large Tube socks (found at Bealls outlet) & filled them with dried white rice. Then I warmed them in the microwave- as I recall 1 to 2 minutes. I tucked them beside her. That helped to keep her warm.

To this day she really doesn't like to be covered up.

I have 3 children - if that is how she can fall asleep - allI can say islet her. Don't worry too much.

We are here for you!

A.
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Yes newborns make alot of noise. I was never around babies before and was surprised to say the least. My first never liked her arms in either. Babies will move around. I even had to turn off the monitor so i sleep. The bedrooms were across from each other so I had no trouble hearing her when she woke up.
If her tummy is hard, then it could be gas. Dont use the cheap bottles. Try Dr. Browns, Avent, or my choice playtex ventair. GRIPEWATER worked the best for gas. I used it once on my 2nd and wished i had it for my first. She was very gassy. It worked very well. Also, dont switch formulas on the baby alot. I found out that switching back and forth from Enfamil reg to Enfamil premium or liquid premade to powder, backed her up a bit.

All completely normal. She is integrating reflexes. Let her move constantly on her belly. If children do not move enough they will have retained primary reflexes which will lead to delays. Keep her on tummy most of the day so she can develop core strength, breathe against a hard surface, vision, auditory and head control. Keep out of chairs, carseats, strollers and cribs on the back for long periods becasue the head will flatten very quickly. Move, move, move!!!

These are not habits but you're daughter is learning and adjusting to being outside the womb. She is breathing and it will take a while before this stops. I used to find it so cute and so did my husband. My daughter still grunts from time to time and she just turned 8 months.

She is moving her arms because she has reflexes plus, think of all the room she has now being outside your tummy. She is learning how to use what she's got. I used to try and take video. Enjoy and congrats!!!

If she was uncomfortable she would cry. Some babies do a lot of grunting and making funny noises. Others are very quiet. She sounds normal to me. Some babies like to be wrapped tight in a blanket when they sleep and others don't. Just like some adults have to be covered up to sleep and others can't sleep under the covers. Everyone is different. She will cry if somethign is wrong. Relax. I know I stressed out when I had my first one even though I had been around babies and had taken care of babies for years. It is different when it's your own. But a lot of mine was because I had just had 3 friends lose their babies to crib deaths at that time. She's fine. Relax and enjoy her.

this is definately normal. my son did this when he was a baby.