What Causes Stiffness Of Body While Sleeping In Children?

Posted on Fri, 26 Dec 2014

Question: Hi i have a 4 month old daughter 5 months next week.im an full blown epeliptic.when my daughter was born she wasnt breathing as the cord was wraped around her neck 4 times so tight that the midwife couldn't get her fingers under it to lift it off.So i had to push her out with it there.They had to give her oxygen and that my mum seen the whole thing and said to me she was blue and nothing breathing.Shes on bottle feeding as i was breast feeding and my milk dried up.She was only using her bowls every 6 to 10 days when i was brest feeding now it\s every 2 days since i have gone to the bottle.Sometimes when i sit her up to burp her her body gose really stiff and i have to force her to sit or she gose to slip off my lap.Sometimes when i hold her to go to sleep she wiggle constantly it's like she cant relax eventually she dose relax and go to sleep.The last week i have noticed when i put her to bed and through out the night her body gose really stiff and she pushes her face into the pillow than turns it to the side half way through the night she ends up sidewards i pick her up gently and shes stiff really stiff and this gose on throught out the night.I did have her in the bed with me the other night as im worried and i woke up with her kicking me in the back cause she ended uo sidewards again.My mum keeps telling me it's not normal.She also dose this eye blinking thing constantly.I do it to especially when im tired she also rolls her eyes back into her head when shes going to sleep.Im a first time mum and need some advice please

Answered by Dr. Kaushik K Murthy (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
rule out infantile seizures

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing to us.
Since the birth process was a bit difficult, I suppose she had a birth asphyxia,,i.e inability for momentary breath intake.
The main concern of birth asphyxia, if prolonged, will be delayed mile stones and seizures resulting from the brain damage as result of the asphyxia.
Of course i cant comment without examining the baby.
If the baby is able to hold head steadily for some time, if the baby is trying to roll over by now, having a social smile, respond towards sound and light then the mile stones are good and nothing to worry.
Of course when you were on regular visit to the pediatrician, the doctor would pick up any danger signs.
But since you are giving history of epilepsy in you , I would also recommend to rule out infantile seizures in your baby,,nothing to scare you, just a wise thought across.
So I please recommend to fix an appointment with your regular pediatrician and get the things solved.
Hope I have cleared your query.. will be interested to know your baby's follow up, do write to us, thank you, regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E