You place your sound asleep baby in their crib and creep out of their room, then you hear the bang of their legs. This is a normal occurrence for some babies. The up and down movement of their legs thrashing about before they enter a deep sleep but what if your baby is throwing legs up and down in sleep?
My Baby is Throwing Legs Up and Down in Sleep
Why do babies throw their legs up while sleeping? Being restless whilst asleep can happen to anyone including babies. Hearing them throwing their legs around at night can worry you but your baby is unlikely to hurt themselves. From around 4-6 months you may notice the kicking of their legs but fear not it is generally a phase they will grow out of.
Restless Legs
Restless legs whilst your baby sleeps can spark that parental worry in your gut. Why are they doing it? Are they going to hurt themselves? What should I do? Before you race in to pick them up, it is handy to know that a baby who throws their legs in the air while sleeping is extremely common. It can be their way of figuring out what their legs are capable of. Read further to ease your worries and lessen your mom anxiety.
Why Does My Baby Pull Her Legs Up While Sleeping?
In theory, no one knows why babies really do this. There are physical conditions namely, Pediatric Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) or Restless Leg Syndrome, but these tend to be rare.
The most common reason could be a part of their self soothing routine. My eldest daughter repeated this action over and over for what seemed like an eternity then all of a sudden she would be sound asleep. Hopefully, your worries are starting to subside after reading this. As a mom you are told the best way for a child to fall asleep is by learning how to self soothe. This in turn will help them get to sleep without their overbearing need for you, which at 2 am is a good thing!
Many babies sing, kick around, roll, or suck their thumb to self soothe but it totally depends on what works for your little bug. Lifting their legs up and down can be their technique for determining their spatial awareness whilst in their crib, or they could be doing it for fun!
Another reason for this movement is to expel excess energy. Babies eat more calories than they burn whilst they are small. Before they find the joy of movement they will find ways of getting rid of energy before they settle into their slumber which is quite clever when you think about it. Completing a big physical movement before they sleep or even during their nap is a way of burning excess energy stored in their tiny little bodies.
Should I Stop My Baby Throwing Legs in Sleep?
After reading your baby could be performing their acrobatics to self soothe themselves or to expel excess energy it makes me wonder why you would want them to stop. But for some parents, it can become troublesome especially if the continuous leg thrashing ends up waking your baby up.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about endless leg thrashing, it is merely a phase that they will grow out of. If you are concerned about them hurting themselves then ensure that they are in a safe and empty crib free from loose clothing, stuffed animals, and blankets.
My second baby soothes herself by rubbing her hand over her favorite stuffy. To help maintain her self soothing I allow her to do this and once asleep I remove it to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDs). Whatever works for you may not work for others but you know your baby.
Pediatric Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
Pediatric Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) as mentioned is a rare condition that included repetitive jerking of the arms and/or legs. According to the Sleep Foundation, it can appear in 4% – 11% of the population so the chances of your baby having PLMD are very slim.
People suffering from PLMD can wake frequently during the night and get misdiagnosed as insomnia. As a result of this extreme fatigue can affect the daily routine of any individual.
If you suspect your child showing any signs of PLMD then seek advice from a professional to rule it out, as mentioned it is unlikely but not unheard of.
Doctors can then provide a diagnosis and treatment plan be it medication or adding vitamins to your little one’s diet.
Is Throwing Legs a Restless Leg Syndrome?
According to The Mayo Clinic, Restless Leg Syndrome is when you have the urge to move your legs often. Usually, the movement eases the uncomfortable feeling but not for long making leg movements extremely frequent.
Generally, restless leg syndrome is more prominent at night time or during periods of rest but it can also happen when you are awake.
Even though this condition is more common than PLMD it’s again unlikely your baby is suffering. Chat to a specialist if you seriously consider this to be a factor in your baby’s leg lifting issue.
Adults who suffer from restless legs, may consider treatment in the form of medication that can also be used in children.
Whilst pregnant I suffered a great deal with RSL and I can promise you your baby will show you signs of irritability and discomfort alongside their leg movements but my doctor advised me to just go with the motions and it soon disappeared without treatment.
Best Action To Take about Baby Throwing Legs Up and Down in Sleep
To be honest, after looking at all probable causes my advice would be to allow the leg slamming to continue. Your baby is clearly happy and providing they are not getting hurt they will most likely grow out of it.
Whether it’s self soothing or not, your little one is learning to explore their surrounding world, learning what their legs can do is all a part of growing, learning, and developing.
★ Medical Advice
I hope this article has helped refrain you from running to the doctor’s office. Leg slamming is common whereas some of the conditions we have discussed are not so much.
In the event you feel the need to see a doctor, may I suggest you video your little one so they can see exactly where your concerns are. Just because cases are rare doesn’t mean you have to go against your gut.
If you feel you need a medical opinion then nothing is stopping you from asking their advice.
Wrapping Up
I think it’s safe to conclude that if your baby is throwing legs up and down in sleep it can be classed as a part of normal development.
From learning to self soothe to expelling energy the understanding is that it is a harmless habit.
Ensure that your baby is safe and free from harm, my little one likes to turn sideways in her crib so leg thrashing for her would mean hitting the sides. Allow them sufficient space to kick and eventually they will tire and fall asleep.
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