spastic arm movement

ok, we've all discovered I'm sure one of the big issues w/ twins is we're always comparing them, right? well, Joel seems to be more in control of his movements while Bryan on the other hand doesn't so much. Especially when he's fussy, his little arms get all "spasticky." I don't THINK it's what is considered "arm flapping" like in autistic children, but I don't know. Anyone know if this is normal or if I should be concerned??? I love how they like to freak me out like this... if it was just Bryan, I'd probably not know any better... :blush:

thanks!

 

My boys flap their arms at times. They especially do it when they are hungry. ThHeir arms and legs move like crazy if they are in their highchair waiting for their next bite of food. I would not worry at all.

 

he probably just hasn't figured out how to control his arms 100% yet

 

That flailing sounds normal to me - mine do it too if they're excited.

QUOTE
I don't THINK it's what is considered "arm flapping" like in autistic children


Just to put your mind at ease - I think I read somewhere that kids usually don't show any signs of autism until at least 6 months. So it's too early for your guys to have symptoms.

But anyway, sounds totally normal! And I know JUST what you mean about comparing the babies. (Oh, he feels stiff compared to her, I wonder if there's a problem... Oh, she feels floppy compared to him, I wonder if there's a problem...) Just gives us moms more to worry about, eh?

 

My dd did this too. We chalked it up to her nervous system not being 100% mature therefore making her not have total control like ds did. She HAD to be swaddled until 5.5/6 months because it would also cause her to wake herself up! :huh: It did pass though, and now she has very good fine motor skills, so all that worrying was for nothing! I don't know if I was anywhere close to right, but I just wanted to let you know it's okay and not to stress it to much.

 

Hannah took FOR...EVER to outgrow this. It used to look like she was turning a doorknob back and forth when she would get a heightened sense of any emotion (anger, fear, saddness, excitement, etc.). She is now a bright, precocious toddler. Don't stress over it!

 

FUnny! I have the same thing w/ Sophie - my husband freaks out about it - but I think you're right -we worry b/c we have another one to compare them to. I'm sure he's fine.

 

Thanks ladies! You really know how to put a first time twin mommy's mind at ease! ah.... I suppose this never gets easy, huh?

 

Sounds like he is gonna be one mover and shaker! There is always one in the pair! Look out Mommy - you are in trouble with this one!

 

They are only four months old and need to learn motor control of their extremities. My son used to go crazy with his arms (and legs) when he was trying to tell us he needed to burp, he still does a little from time to time, but we have just learned to burp him often where my daugther can suck back an entire bottle and let out a good one when she is done. I wouldn't worry to much about it! I work with Autistic kids and it is quite different than an occasional arm flap. Good for you for being on top of your kids, with all we do right?