My ds Seth is 5 weeks old. About 2 or 3 weeks ago, he started this thing where his legs shake or tremble for about 5 seconds or so, usually when I am changing his diaper or when he is without a blanket. I thought maybe it was because he was cold, but it's really not ever "cold" in our house. Honestly, it scares me. I have 2 other children, so I'm not a new mother that gets nervous about everything. My mother read something that said that limb shaking or chin quivering is common in the first few weeks of life. Well, he didn't start doing this until 2 or 3 weeks ago, and is 5 weeks old still considered "the first few weeks of life"? Any moms ever experienced this?

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 09:56 am:

BTW, he has an appointment next Tuesday, but I wanted to see what you all might have to say before-hand.

By Kolbysmom on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 10:20 am:

When my son was a few weeks old he did this. Although it was mostly when he was sleeping. My mom was freaking out thinking he was having seizures...but the doctors weren't worried. After a few more weeks he stopped doing it.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 10:31 am:

Both my kids did the chin quiver and occasional limb shaking as newborns. 5 weeks is still pretty young. It's probably nothing but trust your mommy instincts. If you're really concerned don't wait until your appt. next week and call your ped's office to see if they think he should be seen sooner. {{{HUGS}}}

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 11:20 am:

Kolbysmom, I thought it looked like seizures, too! LOL

By Marcia on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 01:24 pm:

Amy, try changing his position when he does it, and see if it stops. It could just be the way he's lying on a nerve. Are his legs out straight, or curled up when he does it? If they're straight, try bending them up a bit, and see if it stops.

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 02:26 pm:

Marcia, I'll try that, thanks. His legs are always bent when he does it.

By Bka on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

Amy next time he does this try putting preasure on his acilies (sp) tendon, this will almost always stop a spastic leg quiver. It could be that his nerves are just all jummbled.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 03:51 pm:

Amy, 2 out of my 3 DK's did this. I was a bit concerned the first time it happened. My DD started it before we left the hospital w/her, so we were able to ask the Dr. about it. He said it was *normal*.

My DS didn't do it until he was about 2 weeks old. Then he started doing it as well. It only lasted for a few weeks if I remember right.

Just mention it to your doctor on Tuesday. That way he can do all the poking and prodding and bending and stuff just to make sure everythings OK.

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 06:06 pm:

Bka, where is that tendon you are talking about?

Thanks Robin, you've made me feel a little better now.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

Isn't that the one right above your heel? The one that hurts so darn much if you hit it hard?

By Lauram on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 08:03 pm:

My first son did this when he was about a week old. It freaked me out. He was in the NICU at the time and nurses and drs all told me it was normal. Later, my son developed neurological problems and I have to say- I still think back on that and wonder if it all happened right before my eyes. Sounds liek lots of people have experienced this though- so my theory looks incorrect....

By Bobbie on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 09:56 pm:

Yes it is the tendon that is right above the heel.

Amy is he twitching or is he tightening up???

By Amy~moderator on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 11:16 pm:

He tightens up while his leg trembles, but only for about 5 secs max.

By Colette on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 07:21 am:

My youngest did this, but it was all over. I was completely freaked but the drs told me it was normal. She outgrew it, and I forgot about it until I read this post.

By Conni on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 09:14 am:

My middle ds did this when he was first born too. It went away.

By Bka on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

Amy, if you feel on the bottom of your leg in the back by your heal you will feel a boney thing, put your pionter finger and middle finger on each side and just put a little pressure on it.This should stop him from shaking his legs. My late husband had leg spazums and the PT used to tell us to do this, they would stop right away.

By Momoffour on Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

When the twins were born they both did this Joshua's went away shortly after he came home. but Josie did the quiet a bit and it bothered me something fearse. because the were preemeis. but the doctor told me not to worry that it was normal that she was having muscle spazums. he told me to put my hand on her for comfort and she quit and has never done it since.