Dec
21
2009
Child With An Exaggerated Startle Reflex?
Posted by: Alan in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, tags: Child, Exaggerated, Reflex, Startle, With
Over the past 24 hours, my 10 week old son has begun showing an exaggerated startle reflex, though there is no external stimuli that we can determine.
He will be sleeping peacefully in a cradle, swing or in my arms, and about 2 to 5 minutes after falling asleep, he will fling his arms out and begin screaming as though he is terrified.
What could this be caused by?
I don’t think that obstructive apnea is a problem, as that would have manifested earlier, and initiated less drastically.
Any Ideas as to how to help the poor little guy?
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December 21st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
It can take a few months for babies to gain control over their limbs. Some babies cry in their sleep and some laugh in their sleep. My son a couple of times when he fell asleep next to me laughed when he was sleeping. It does not mean anything is wrong with your baby, but if you are really concerned call his doctor.
December 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
A gas bubble, maybe he wants to be swaddled. Is he dreaming about being dropped ? So many things, is rather odd to be terrified, but it does take some time for them to gain control of that reflex. It will pass.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Talk to your doctor about it. My son is 3 with autism and he has an exaggerated startle reflex. His teacher told me to take him and have him tested to make sure he doesn’t have any additional neurological problems. Not suggesting anything is wrong. Just giving you an idea.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I would ask the dr andk eep a good watch on him or do a test maybe your baby can just hear higher pitched noises or llower pitched noises GOOD LUCK
December 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
could be bad dreams?
sometimes my dog barks in his sleep or growls, probably because of nightmares….. yeah, he’s a wierd dog!
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 am
I would suggest taking the child to a doctor immediately because it could be signs of a developmental problem and could get worst without treatment.