![]() ![]() Researchers at the University of Iowa have studied sensorimotor development- and sleep twitches- for two decades. More on childhood sleep issues can be found at Sleep Advisor. REM sleep is the deepest state of sleep and is when we experience dreams and just about complete body paralysis- except for these spasms and twitches. These seemingly meaningless movements have been observed during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep, which you drift into after going through the four stages of NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. What Causes Babies to Twitch in Their Sleep? ![]() Negative Myoclonus includes muscle jerks, movements, and twitches due to muscle relaxation. ![]() Positive Myoclonus classifies muscle spasms, jerks, or twitches suddenly caused by muscle contractions. These incidences can be classified in two ways: If you’ve ever been on the verge of sleep and felt your body jerk suddenly, this startling phenomenon is a form of sleep myoclonus, also categorized as a hypnagogic jerk. Sleep myoclonus is the technical term for the occurrence, which translates to muscle twitching in Greek. Sleep twitches, however odd to observe, are entirely normal. However, what most parents witness is often a mere sleep twitch, and, typically, there is a perfectly healthy reason for them occurring. Conditions like epilepsy, febrile seizures, or infantile spasms can indicate a serious health issue and immediate need for treatment. Occasionally, parents may encounter a legitimate cause for medical concern. For example, sleep twitches could look unusual and concerning, but they’re usually harmless and indicative of developmental growth. Unfortunately, while there are countless exciting moments, raising a baby can often feel like foreign territory, and parents seldom feel prepared for everything. Parents are often inclined to study their little one’s every movement and take joy in observing minor developments as they grow. Article published with permission and courtesy of Sleep Advisor ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |