Why does a baby clenches fists. The newborn does not clench his fists. Hypertonicity in newborns. Diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in infants. The best position for playing with your own hands

Boy 2 years 11 months. Approximately 4 weeks ago, he developed discomfort in his fingers. He often asked to wash them, lick them, he constantly kept his fingers in his mouth. These symptoms have subsided a little, but now he increasingly keeps his fists closed - while playing, communicating with adults, watching TV, sometimes wearing toys with his fingers clenched into fists. After falling asleep for about an hour, the cams are clamped, it is difficult to unclench them. At the request of an adult, a child can arbitrarily unclench his fingers, this does not cause pain. Neurological symptoms were not observed from birth, they were not registered with a neurologist. Development according to age.

ANSWERED: 02/26/2017

Hello Elya. At this age, it is difficult to carry out any diagnostics, but since a child under 7 years old is completely energy-informational dependent on his mother, you can understand what is happening with the child through his mother. I have such diagnostic approaches - read my post - http://centrzdorovia.ru/ mnogomernoe-zdorovie/ and if you are interested - call and sign up.

ANSWERED: 02/26/2017 Valeeva Elvira Raisovna Moscow 0.0 oncologist gynecologist

Hello, thank you for the question and the detailed description of the diagnosis at this age, a pediatric neurologist can handle it.

Similar questions:

"So, I'm a mom. And now what? .. ”- many women face this feeling of confusion when they have their first child. “I look at my baby and understand that I have no idea what to do now, from which side to approach her,” the mothers’ stories are like a carbon copy. Then it becomes relatively clear what to do: feed, bathe, change the diaper. But here's what the child wants at this particular moment - this usually remains a secret with seven seals until he learns to speak or at least gesticulate. We have seven key points by which you can understand what your baby is trying to say with body language.

1. Jumping legs

If a baby kicks space, that's great. In his body language, this means that he is happy and having a great time. Pinky is your baby's way of expressing pleasure. Please note that often children begin to jerk their legs when you play with him or during water procedures. And if at this time you take the baby in your arms and sing a song to him, he will become even happier.

Photo by GettyImages

2. Arches the back

This is usually a reaction to pain or discomfort. Children often arch their backs when they have colic or heartburn. If your baby arches while you feed, it could be a sign of reflux. Try to avoid stress while breastfeeding - mom's worries affect the baby.

3. Head shake

Sometimes babies can jerk their heads sharply, hitting the bottom of the crib or its sides. This is again a sign of discomfort or pain. Motion sickness usually helps, but if the child continues to shake his head, this is an occasion to show the baby to the pediatrician.

4. Grabs himself by the ears

Do not immediately panic if the baby pulls his ears. He has fun and learns in this way - the surrounding sounds become quieter, then louder again. In addition, babies often grab their ears when they are teething. But if the child is crying at the same time, you need to run to the doctor and check if the baby has caught an ear infection.

5. Clenches her fists

In general, this is one of the first meaningful body movements that a newborn masters. In addition, a clenched fist can be a sign of hunger or stress - both of which cause the baby's muscles to tense up. If the habit of tightly clenching fists persists in a child when he is already more than three months old, it is better to show the baby to a doctor. This may be a sign of a neurological disorder.

Photo by GettyImages

6. Twisted, pressing the knees to the chest

Such movement is most often a sign of digestive problems. Maybe it's colic, maybe constipation or gas. If you are breastfeeding, watch your diet: something in your diet is causing your baby to produce gas. And do not forget to hold the baby in a column after feeding so that he burps the air. In case of constipation, consult your doctor.

7. Throws up pens

This is the first reaction of the child to the environment, a sign of alertness. As a rule, the baby throws up his arms when he hears a sudden sound or when a bright light turns on. Sometimes babies do this when you put them in the crib: they feel the loss of support. This reflex usually disappears four months after birth. Until then, it is worth remembering that the movement is unconscious, and the child may inadvertently scratch himself. Therefore, children are advised to swaddle or put special mittens on their hands during sleep.

26-02-2007, 13:15

My child is a month and a week old, a pediatrician examined a few days ago and said, “everything is fine, but I shouldn’t clench my hands into fists anymore, maybe there are small neurological problems, show yourself to a neurologist”: 005:
It always seemed to me that babies up to 2-3 months old squeeze their fists, is that not so?

26-02-2007, 13:28

26-02-2007, 13:33

Your baby does not owe anything to anyone, especially to the pediatrician :)
flexor tone is normal. I still sometimes squeeze, although they did massage. if this bothers you, try the following: just gently take his hands and stroke your face or hand with them, put a soft toy in his hand - for example, a bear's paw, etc. just stroke the handle gently from the inside and out, lightly shake the brush. you can relax your muscles.
pet him more often and don't listen to the pediatrician.

SAND BOA

26-02-2007, 13:53

In general, the neurologist told us that clenching the fists in a child is a natural phenomenon for up to 6 months. That is, there is no need to worry.
And one more thing: I also listened to my local pediatrician for the first month, so she gave us so many diagnoses, both neurological and orthopedic. And none of them were confirmed!
When Dashik needs it, she opens her fists and grabs everything that lies nearby with her hands :)

26-02-2007, 14:07

Mashok, (http://www..php?u=18417)
leriy (http://www..php?u=28486)
Thank you!

The fact is that in this situation I am not so much worried about the child, but about the right choice of a pediatrician. We do not have a district doctor, we invite you on the recommendation, but something confused me about this statement of hers. We will see a neurologist only in a week, so I decided to find out on the forum.

26-02-2007, 14:29

The pediatrician is right..
But you have to see the baby. If the handles are not in good shape all the time, then everything is ok.
Show to the neurologist necessarily. After a month, a lot can be seen ...
Do a massage, relax your hands, put objects in your palm more often.

27-02-2007, 10:20

It is permissible for a child to clench his fists up to 4 months .. After the massage, the picture has changed for us, but he still sometimes clenches his fists. When he needs to take something, and this is just in 3-4 months, he will unclench them!

I did not have such difficulties with my first child, and she was born 7 years ago. We were not sent to physiotherapists, we were not given hernias - which are not there, we were not given stupid neurological diagnoses. I myself examined the child for all kinds of pathologies at the age of 3, nothing was revealed. But now I noticed a trend that doctors once again play it safe and send for further examination. M.b. it's not bad, but:
- we feed the children and it’s bad for us to be nervous again
- it is desirable to know the doctors you are going to, because not everyone, even paid ones, are competent!
- my personal opinion is that if the child behaves normally, nothing bothers him, then there is no need to be nervous, children do not owe anything to anyone! Everyone has a different development. If one is already crawling, the other does not HAVE to. My daughter didn’t crawl at all, she just stood up, now they say that this is a pathology ... but everything is ok with us! She goes to school, studies well and has no health problems.

My advice is to listen to doctors less, and give the baby a massage, it helps a lot.

The sooner the baby opens his fists, the sooner he will begin to play with his hands. If the child, as before, keeps his fists clenched all the time, try to help him. Gently tap on the back of them in order to stimulate a reflex that makes the baby unclench his fingers.

Quite relatively not so long ago you played with small hands, unclenching tightly clenched fingers and running the baby's palms along your cheeks. Now he has learned to play with his own hands.
This is the most remarkable feature of the 3rd month of development. The previously clenched fists are unclenched and the fingers remain half-open.
At this time, babies try to reach out with their hands to the most familiar and easily accessible toys and, even more importantly, to themselves. See how the baby is played with his own hands. He can grab one handle with another and hold in his palm from time to time a whole fist, and from time to time 1-2 fingers. Needless to say, these interesting little hands find their way to the mouth; thumb sucking is a favorite activity at this age.
Reach out and grab. Watches, hair, clothes - everything becomes a desired goal for these little hands. A baby at this age loves to cling to hair, grab glasses, his father's tie, and most of all, his mother's blouse, while she takes him in her arms. These first grasping movements are quite strong and far from gentle. If your hair is in a child's fist, it is not so easy to get it out.
These movements are not yet quite definite. While the baby is trying to reach out and grab the hanging toy, he usually does not reach the goal. The movements of his hands are still shortened, similar to sharp blows from a boxer or a karateka. But in a month things will get better, the blows will hit right on target.
Retention force. The baby's hand becomes stronger. Having seized some object, he holds it, instead of dropping it immediately, as was the case before. The baby squeezes the rattle placed in his hand with his fingers, holds and studies until he gets tired or gets tired of it. Which rattle to choose?
- The lighter the rattle and the easier it is to hold, the longer the child will be engaged in it.
- Dark and white, and contrasting colors attract the attention of the baby more.
- To plastic rattles, babies prefer soft, made of fabric.
- The most reliable rattle is the one that will not cause any harm - at least 1.5-2 inches (up to 5 cm), without sharp corners and protruding parts.

The best position for playing with your own hands

The position of the child significantly affects the development of motor skills of the hands. The horizontal position interferes with the game with the handles, the vertical position contributes to it. Lying on a flat smooth surface (for example, on the floor), the child creates movements in a free style - something like a bicycle, made simultaneously with arms and legs; he can stretch his limbs in different directions. But at a time when the baby at this age lies on its back, the still active reflex of the resting neck is triggered (when the head is turned in the same direction, the handle leans back, and the fists remain clenched). It is much better if you hold the child in a semi-upright position on your lap or put in a special child seat. In this position, his head is turned forward and he watches straight ahead; along with this, the fists are unclenched and he, as if for hugs, pulls his hands towards you. So, the semi-vertical position encourages the child to start playing with pens or to take up some kind of toy, holding it in front of him.

Watch your baby as he or she becomes interested in the pattern on the wallpaper or intently studies your face. Now he can do it much longer and pays more attention to details instead of looking at them.
He follows you better with his eyes as you pass by, and along with that, like a radar, he turns his head. If you leave the room, he may start crying.
At this stage of development, children see not only better, but also further. Once in a state of concentrated self-control, the child can look at the ceiling and the fan on it, the black contrasting railings, the shadows on the walls, the plants that are 15-20 feet (5-6 m) from him. The most attractive are black contrasting objects on a bright background.
From Martha's diary: I manage to get Matthew's interest by using a black and white 6-sided cube, about 2 inches in size, which I place in front of his eyes. For a while, he is simply chained to these moving pictures and studies each side as the cube slowly rotates. It is thought besides that he distinguishes images on each side. From time to time, in case Matthew starts to act up, I remove the die, and the moodiness stops.

Conversation with a 3-month-old baby

This is where the real conversations begin. This period seems to you easier than the past, because at the moment you have the opportunity to realize your baby. Watch his body movements and facial expressions, try to guess what he is thinking about while he behaves in one way or another. By understanding his body language and facial expressions, you can predict what will follow: is he planning to start crying or smiling? By timely intervention in the situation (Hey. (name)!) You can turn the impending cry into a smile. Your joyful face can make the baby forget that he wanted to start crying.
Various forms of crying. Now it is not only easier for you to read the body language of the baby, but the circumstance of his crying becomes more intelligible. Different crying reflects the different needs of the baby. Demanding crying and a face flushed with tension are a sign of an urgent thirst to be in your arms. With whimpering crying, it is possible to confine yourself to an answer from a long distance, moreover from another room. Pay attention to the pauses that intersperse with the crying of the baby. It is he who, as it were, informs you that he is waiting for an answer, and without taking it, he continues to call you.
Vocabulary expansion. The child begins to say more - the sounds he makes become louder, longer. He begins to drag vowel sounds for a long time (aaah, eeeh, eeh, oooh). Listen to this long cooing, cooing, grunting, sniffling, squealing and sighing. It seems that the baby is trying what specific sounds it is possible to extract through his mouth and tongue. The child is interested in how loudly he can squeal, and especially how such screams affect you. And I think he soon begins to realize that in order to make the kind of sounds create a shock impression on his parents. All this does not mean that he does not like pleasant sounds. In addition, at this early stage of development, the child tries to adapt the sound of his own speech to yours. If you meet your child's ear-piercing cry in a low whisper, perhaps he will moderate his volume.

Movements of a 3 month old baby

Lay the baby on a soft bed on the table. Arrange so that your head is at the same level. Try to make eye contact and start talking. The child can raise the head 45 degrees or more and continue this head-to-head conversation. Now his head does not sink helplessly down, as before; he can hold her in that position for a while. Turning his head from side to side, he begins to explore the world around him.
A new game. Turn the child on his back (most children at this age will not yet be able to roll over on their own), holding him with both hands, slowly transfer him to a sitting position. The head and torso will rise at the same moment, whereas in the past weeks the movements of the head have lagged behind. In a sitting position, the baby's head does not sway, as before, but becomes stable. Needless to say, if he is not helped and supported by his head, she will quickly bow, but the child can return her to a controlled upright position.
Rack and support. Take the baby under the armpits and hold in a standing position. A month ago, his legs immediately buckled. Now they are within a few minutes. carry the load of the whole body and your support is needed only to maintain balance. Now put the baby in your arms, leaning him against your chest. Do you notice how stronger his legs have become?
Floor game. The up and down game began. Most 3-month-olds love being in your arms the most, but they may enjoy lying on the floor and enjoying the freedom of movement. The limiting reflex of the resting neck slowly begins to weaken, allowing the baby to stretch its arms and legs in different directions and make movements like a bicycle (sometimes this is called flapping wings). Naturally, such exercises are encouraged by admiring spectators from above. But it would be better if you sit down next to the baby on the floor and keep him company.
Circumstance and consequence. At 3 months, the child discovers that he can somehow influence the world around him. I pull a suspended toy - it moves, I shake a rattle - it rattles. Thus he discovers the connection between effect and cause. This discovery is stored in his developing brain, and he begins to use it in order to get the desired result. For example, by this time, the baby is learning to suck more efficiently - so in order to get more milk at a lower cost.
From Martha's diary: I saw that Matthew catches my breast, makes a couple of sucking movements, and then waits for the milk eruption reflex to work and it will flow into his mouth in a full stream. Only then does he begin to actively suck and swallow. He realized that this was the easiest method to start feeding.

The sooner the baby opens his fists, the sooner he will begin to play with his hands. If the child, as before, keeps his fists clenched all the time, try to help him. Gently tap on the back of them in order to stimulate a reflex that makes the baby unclench his fingers.

Quite relatively not so long ago you played with small hands, unclenching tightly clenched fingers and running the baby's palms along your cheeks. Now he has learned to play with his own hands.
This is the most remarkable feature of the 3rd month of development. The previously clenched fists are unclenched and the fingers remain half-open.
At this time, babies try to reach out with their hands to the most familiar and easily accessible toys and, even more importantly, to themselves. See how the baby is played with his own hands. He can grab one handle with another and hold in his palm from time to time a whole fist, and from time to time 1-2 fingers. Needless to say, these interesting little hands find their way to the mouth; thumb sucking is a favorite activity at this age.
Reach out and grab. Watches, hair, clothes - everything becomes a desired goal for these little hands. A baby at this age loves to cling to hair, grab glasses, his father's tie, and most of all, his mother's blouse, while she takes him in her arms. These first grasping movements are quite strong and far from gentle. If your hair is in a child's fist, it is not so easy to get it out.
These movements are not yet quite definite. While the baby is trying to reach out and grab the hanging toy, he usually does not reach the goal. The movements of his hands are still shortened, similar to sharp blows from a boxer or a karateka. But in a month things will get better, the blows will hit right on target.
Retention force. The baby's hand becomes stronger. Having seized some object, he holds it, instead of dropping it immediately, as was the case before. The baby squeezes the rattle placed in his hand with his fingers, holds and studies until he gets tired or gets tired of it. Which rattle to choose?
- The lighter the rattle and the easier it is to hold, the longer the child will use it.
- Dark and white, and contrasting colors attract the attention of the baby more.
- To plastic rattles, babies prefer soft, made of fabric.
- The most reliable rattle is the one that will not cause any harm - at least 1.5-2 inches (up to 5 cm), without sharp corners and protruding parts.

Your baby won't be able to distinguish colors until they're about three months old, by which time they'll show a particular preference for highly contrasting patterns, especially in black and white. Studies have shown that young children prefer patterns with curvy lines over straight lines. He will be three to five months old before gaining good depth perspective, which requires both eyes to focus strongly together.

If your child's eyes remain crossed for more than a short time, if they seem cloudy, excessively teary, or if they move in circles when he tries to focus, have him check with your visitor or doctor. The sooner problems are found, the sooner they can be fixed.

The best position for playing with your own hands

The position of the child significantly affects the development of motor skills of the hands. The horizontal position interferes with the game with the handles, the vertical position contributes to it. Lying on a flat smooth surface (for example, on the floor), the child creates movements in a free style - something like a bicycle, made simultaneously with arms and legs; he can stretch his limbs in different directions. But at a time when the baby at this age lies on its back, the still active reflex of the resting neck is triggered (when the head is turned in the same direction, the handle leans back, and the fists remain clenched). It is much better if you hold the child in a semi-upright position on your lap or put in a special child seat. In this position, his head is turned forward and he watches straight ahead; along with this, the fists are unclenched and he, as if for hugs, pulls his hands towards you. So, the semi-vertical position encourages the child to start playing with pens or to take up some kind of toy, holding it in front of him.

Your baby's hearing is pretty good from birth, and he'll probably recognize and soothe your voice from life inside the womb. His hearing will be almost fully developed by the end of his first month. You can also do a simple test at home: try clapping suddenly behind your child; he should jump a little and turn towards the sound.

At this stage, your newborn will be happy to watch and interact with you. He can joke around a bit when you have "conversations" with him: talk to him, then wait, watch and see if he picks up the noise. Try to pull faces at him: even as a new kid, he may react by copying you. At this point, it's more of a reflex than an actual accomplishment, but he'll soon be able to do something on purpose.

Watch your baby as he or she becomes interested in the pattern on the wallpaper or intently studies your face. Now he can do it much longer and pays more attention to details instead of looking at them.
He follows you better with his eyes as you pass by, and along with that, like a radar, he turns his head. If you leave the room, he may start crying.
At this stage of development, children see not only better, but also further. Once in a state of concentrated self-control, the child can look at the ceiling and the fan on it, the black contrasting railings, the shadows on the walls, the plants that are 15-20 feet (5-6 m) from him. The most attractive are black contrasting objects on a bright background.
From Martha's diary: I manage to get Matthew's interest by using a black and white 6-sided cube, about 2 inches in size, which I place in front of his eyes. For a while, he is simply chained to these moving pictures and studies each side as the cube slowly rotates. It is thought besides that he distinguishes images on each side. From time to time, in case Matthew starts to act up, I remove the die, and the moodiness stops.

Your child will follow some objects with their eyes, especially those with patterned, contrasting colors, so play with them often. There's so much growth and development to look forward to in the coming months. Why not start writing down your baby's milestones and then look back as the months go by to see just how far along he is.

Games to play with a newborn. There are answers your newborn can make and things you can do to keep her interested, even in the first weeks after birth. Finding time to play with your child will help build a bond between you, as well as give you a guide to how much she can do and how she's progressing.

Conversation with a 3-month-old baby

This is where the real conversations begin. This period seems to you easier than the past, because at the moment you have the opportunity to realize your baby. Watch his body movements and facial expressions, try to guess what he is thinking about while he behaves in one way or another. By understanding his body language and facial expressions, you can predict what will follow: is he planning to start crying or smiling? By timely intervention in the situation (Hey. (name)!) You can turn the impending cry into a smile. Your joyful face can make the baby forget that he wanted to start crying.
Various forms of crying. Now it is not only easier for you to read the body language of the baby, but the circumstance of his crying becomes more intelligible. Different crying reflects the different needs of the baby. Demanding crying and a face reddened from tension are a sign of an urgent thirst to be in your arms. With whimpering crying, it is possible to confine yourself to an answer from a long distance, moreover from another room. Pay attention to the pauses that intersperse with the crying of the baby. It is he who, as it were, informs you that he is waiting for an answer, and without taking it, he continues to call you.
Vocabulary expansion. The child begins to say more - the sounds he makes become louder, longer. He begins to drag vowel sounds for a long time (aaah, eeeh, eeh, oooh). Listen to this long cooing, cooing, grunting, sniffling, squealing and sighing. It seems that the baby is trying what specific sounds it is possible to extract through his mouth and tongue. The child is interested in how loudly he can squeal, and especially how such screams affect you. And I think he soon begins to realize that in order to make the kind of sounds create a shock impression on his parents. All this does not mean that he does not like pleasant sounds. In addition, at this early stage of development, the child tries to adapt the sound of his own speech to yours. If you meet your child's ear-piercing cry in a low whisper, perhaps he will moderate his volume.

She seems to study you in concentration and turn away when she loses concentration or gets bored. Keep photos of different faces for your child to look at and see if she prefers someone else. Hold the mirror up to your child: she doesn't realize that she's staring at her reflection for a long time, but she may still enjoy studying her face.

Rotate objects in front of your child and see if she should follow their movement. You don't need to invest in special toys: try a bunch of keys, a playing card, or whatever you have with a bright contrasting picture. Have your child grab your fingers and then hug her for her, sing "up, down, left, right" as you do.

Movements of a 3 month old baby

Lay the baby on a soft bed on the table. Arrange so that your head is at the same level. Try to make eye contact and start talking. The child can raise the head 45 degrees or more and continue this head-to-head conversation. Now his head does not sink helplessly down, as before; he can hold her in that position for a while. Turning his head from side to side, he begins to explore the world around him.
A new game. Turn the child on his back (most children at this age will not yet be able to roll over on their own), holding him with both hands, slowly transfer him to a sitting position. The head and torso will rise at the same moment, whereas in the past weeks the movements of the head have lagged behind. In a sitting position, the baby's head does not sway, as before, but becomes stable. Needless to say, if he is not helped and supported by his head, she will quickly bow, but the child can return her to a controlled upright position.
Rack and support. Take the baby under the armpits and hold in a standing position. A month ago, his legs immediately buckled. Now they are within a few minutes. carry the load of the whole body and your support is needed only to maintain balance. Now put the baby in your arms, leaning him against your chest. Do you notice how stronger his legs have become?
Floor game. The up and down game began. Most 3-month-olds love being in your arms the most, but they may enjoy lying on the floor and enjoying the freedom of movement. The limiting reflex of the resting neck slowly begins to weaken, allowing the baby to stretch its arms and legs in different directions and make movements like a bicycle (sometimes this is called flapping wings). Naturally, such exercises are encouraged by admiring spectators from above. But it would be better if you sit down next to the baby on the floor and keep him company.
Circumstance and consequence. At 3 months, the child discovers that he can somehow influence the world around him. I pull a suspended toy - it moves, I shake a rattle - it rattles. Thus he discovers the connection between effect and cause. This discovery is stored in his developing brain, and he begins to use it in order to get the desired result. For example, by this time, the baby is learning to suck more efficiently - so in order to get more milk at a lower cost.
From Martha's diary: I saw that Matthew catches my breast, makes a couple of sucking movements, and then waits for the milk eruption reflex to work and it will flow into his mouth in a full stream. Only then does he begin to actively suck and swallow. He realized that this was the easiest method to start feeding.

Sing the same songs to your child until they become familiar. You can find these same songs to comfort her later when she is tired and struggling to sleep. You can choose to bottle feed your baby or combine breast and bottle feeding. However you decide to feed your baby, it is important to prepare the bottle exactly according to the formula manufacturer's instructions.

Prepare feeds as needed rather than getting them ahead of time. You will need to make sure that the bottles are completely sterile and that you are adding the correct proportion of milk powder to cool the boiled water. Your child probably won't take full six ounce chips at first, and you may want to use smaller bottles so there's less room to collect air. Otherwise, stock 4 oz. in full size bottles.

Immediately after birth, babies enter a completely new world, unusual for them. The fetal position is a completely normal position for newborn babies. Within 2-3 months after birth, the baby should gradually straighten its limbs, getting used to the world around it. If this does not happen after three months from birth, parents should be wary. Excessive muscle tension in an infant in some cases indicates disorders in the development of its nervous system, which cause hypertonicity.

Offer your baby a bottle only after you knock it over so that there is no space between the nipple and milk. This will help prevent wind by reducing the amount of air your child can swallow. Try to keep the nipple full of milk while feeding and reel your baby in regularly while sitting on your lap, facing you, supporting the chin with one hand, massaging firmly and stroking it between the shoulder blades. You'll know you've succeeded when he rewards you with a dash or two: then you can resume the feed.

Some signs in newborns that you should not be afraid of

Always throw away leftover milk. Do not attempt to return it to the refrigerator or reheat it later. It should be discarded an hour after it is made up, or bacteria can grow, which can upset your child's stomach.

Hypertonicity in infants - what is it?

Muscle hypertonicity is a restriction of voluntary motor function in an infant, caused by certain disorders in the development of the brain and peripheral nerve. According to statistics, nine out of ten newborns have impaired muscle tone. In the case of hypertonicity, there is usually resistance to passive movements of the arms and legs. Specialists distinguish general hypertonicity of the muscles, that is, of the whole organism, hemite hypertonicity, when the movement of one arm or leg is limited. In medical practice, hypertonicity occurs only in the hands or only in the legs.

You may find yourself weighing up conflicting advice on how to respond to a baby from birth: some people may tell you to comfort your baby as soon as you hear a whimper; others will tell you that you will be doing a barbell for your back and that you risk "spoiling" your newborn.

Read on for our advice to help you soothe your newborn, but don't forget that crying is your baby's only way to communicate with you, and it doesn't mean he's very unhappy. Probably the best advice is to follow your own instincts and respond to your child "on demand": this does not mean that every time he stirs, sighs or gurgles, but it does mean every time you feel that he seems to needs comfort, whether through food, a diaper or cuddle.

Causes of muscle hypertonicity

In each newborn with such a diagnosis, the causes of the development of hypertonicity are very different. The appearance of restrictions on the mobility of the infant's limbs in some cases provokes protracted labor or certain diseases that the mother suffered during the bearing of the child. Among the frequent factors that cause the appearance of hypertonicity, there are:

Newborn babies can't "spoil" because they don't have the finesse to be able to demand attention for it. Crying is the only way to communicate with you, and at this stage he needs a sense of confidence that you will come and look at him when you need him.

Basic checks. In the early days, you may not recognize your baby's individual cries for what they are telling you, but over time, you become aware of the tone and delivery of whether your baby is hungry, tired, overstimulated, or in need of some comfort.

• oxygen starvation (hypoxia) during the period of gestation;
• diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy;
• chronic diseases of the mother;
• very prolonged or rapid labor, in which the child experiences excessive pressure or lack of oxygen;
• incompatibility of Rh factors in parents.

Symptoms and signs of hypertension in infants

There are a number of reasons why your baby might cry, and it's not too long before you can make an educated guess as to what kind of problem each type of cry is. If the scream escalates, he's probably ready to sleep, so put him down in a lighted room and leave him to calm down if he can.

Otherwise, talk to him gently, pet him a little, then gradually move away from the room. If your baby doesn't fall over within five minutes or so, he may just need a little comfort, so gather him up and give him a lovely, reassuring hug.

Tension in the muscles of an infant up to a certain age is a natural physiological phenomenon. However, when, after 2-3 months of life, the arms and legs remain limited in movement, this becomes a reason to suspect that the child has hypertonicity of the upper and lower extremities. In addition to clenched fists, lack of body flexibility, stiffness of the muscles of the arms and legs, the infant has the following symptoms:

Start by checking his diaper: that's the fastest thing. If his diaper is clean or he is still crying after changing, check that he is not too hot and cold: the most reliable way is to place the flat of your hand on his upper chest, which should feel just warm, as your skin does when you are at a comfortable temperature. Do not rely on the sensations of his limbs, which often get cold.

If he still won't calm down, offer him some water if he's usually bottle fed, or your breast if you're self-feeding. If the baby with the bottle is still crushed, make him feed even if he has recently been alone: ​​you could always make half a size or use ready-made packages.

• regurgitation due to poor appetite;
• restless sleep, which is constantly interrupted and accompanied by nervous shudders, sharp shaking of the head;
• the baby can cry and arch the body at the same time. At the same time, the limbs and chin are shaking;
• when the baby is placed on the surface, instead of stomping, he begins to stand on tiptoe.

If the baby has the above signs of hypertonicity, then you should consult a doctor to determine the final diagnosis. This violation can be corrected and treated, so it is important to remain calm. Nervousness and anxiety of parents is instantly transmitted to the child, which negatively affects the condition of the baby.

If nothing seems to calm your child down, try giving him some peace for a while: put him in a Moses basket or stroller and let him have downtime. He could play with his fingers and toes, gurgle and smoke to himself, or simply enjoy some quiet time looking around.

He doesn't need to have fun and cuddle all day: too much will make him as crabby as too little attention. If your child closes his face, it turns bright red and really lets go, he may be in pain.

How does hand hypertonicity manifest itself?

Muscular hypertonicity of the baby's arms is manifested in increased resistance during passive abduction of the upper limbs from the chest. Strongly clenched fists are a common symptom, a sign of a neurological disorder. Such a condition should alert, becoming a reason for seeking advice from a qualified pediatrician.

Maybe he has an underlying medical emergency, so don't linger. And don't feel stupid for raising the alarm - just follow your instinct. Good health professionals will always respond to false alarms rather than miss something potentially serious.

Sometimes little babies seem to do little but feed and cry - and a baby who cries excessively and seemingly can't calm down is a test for any new mom. However, there are things you can try that can soothe your child - and if nothing else, they will skip time while you try them! If all else fails, we've got tips for getting that much-needed break from crying too.

Hypertonicity of the legs

Hypertonicity in infants is manifested in the limited mobility of the lower extremities. Violation is dangerous for the development of motor functions. Inhibition of development will affect the future gait and physical activity of the child. With hypertonicity of the legs at 6 months, the use of walkers is contraindicated. Such devices help to increase the state of tension in the muscles of the legs and spine.

Skin-to-skin baby hugs, also known as "kangaroo hugs," have been shown to reduce baby's stress levels. It is believed that skin contact and the rhythm of your heart rate can have a calming effect. Some babies find it comforting to be rocked steady enough for a repetitive rhythm, so try to shift your weight from one foot to the other and rock your baby at the same time.

Or you can dance quietly while you rock it, so you know you're on the beat. If your baby seems to be bulky, try rocking her by holding her face down along the supporting arm and gently stroking her back with her free hand. Try to wrap your child tightly in the blanket with arms and legs clasped. This is known as swaddling, and the feeling of being confined can make some babies feel safe enough that they don't cry, especially if they've been waving before.

Methods for the treatment of hypertension in children under one year old

Only a neurologist is allowed to prescribe medications and draw up a set of necessary procedures for muscle hypertonicity in a child aged 3 months and older. Self-medication can lead to aggravation of the problem and the development of negative consequences. Understand that the sooner you prescribe and start a course of correction of a neurological disorder, the sooner positive results and a visible effect of treatment will appear. An infant with muscle hypertonicity is prescribed: baby massage, health-improving exercises and therapeutic baths.

With hypertonicity in a small child, massage is carried out daily on its own, starting from 2 weeks of the baby's life. First of all, you need to consult with a medical officer who will tell you in detail and show you how to massage correctly. On average, 10 sessions will be needed. During the passage of such treatment, the violation should gradually disappear. Relaxing massage includes 3 types of touches: stroking, rubbing, rocking:

1. To begin with, with the back of your hand, stroke the baby on the surface of the legs, arms and back. Alternate superficial touches with your fingers with light girths of the whole brush.
2. For circular rubbing of the skin, place the baby on the tummy, gently make dashed movements from the bottom up with your fingers. The same effect should be applied to the arms and legs.
3. Take the baby by the brush, start shaking it gently. In the process of performing the massage, be sure to hold the baby's hand by the forearm. The procedure should be carried out with each handle and leg.
4. Take the child a little higher than the wrist, rock rhythmically in different directions.
5. Soothe, relax the muscles after the massage you need smooth strokes.

Video training in massage technique

It is clearly demonstrated how to conduct a professional relaxing massage session for hypertonicity of the legs and arms in a 4-month-old child in the video below:

Wellness gymnastics

To help the baby relax the muscles a little with hypertonicity, experts recommend additionally using non-drug methods of treatment and doing wellness exercises. Special exercises will increase the chances of a speedy recovery, help the muscles begin to develop and function normally. The main goal of gymnastics is to stimulate full-fledged motor activity and the development of individual reflexes:

• lay the child on its side, slowly stroke it along the back from the buttocks to the neck along the spine. In no case do not press hard on the baby's body. During the exercise, the baby will arch.
• Press lightly on the foot under the toes, on its inner surface. The baby will begin to flex his toes and foot in response. Then run your hand along the outer surface of the foot - then the child will straighten it. During gymnastics, it is important for the parent to remain calm so that the baby is not afraid and begins to trust him.

Healing baths

All kinds of water treatments and aromatherapy have a beneficial effect on the baby's nervous system, helping to relax muscles and eliminate hypertonicity. Physical activity during bathing will help get rid of the crumbs from excessive tightness and stiffness. With hypertonicity, it is useful to add decoctions of medicinal herbs to the bath - lavender, motherwort, oregano, eucalyptus.

During water procedures, the child should not be taught to dive. Diving under water with a head for a baby is a serious stress that can provoke an increase in the symptoms of hypertonicity. While bathing, carefully monitor the condition and mood of the crumbs. It is important that water procedures give him pleasure and only pleasant emotions.

Fitball exercises with photo examples

Before you start exercising on a fitball, be sure to consult a pediatrician. On a small fitball without horns and pimples, lay a film on which you put the baby with your tummy. While holding the child, begin to slowly rock him in different directions. When performing this exercise, all muscle groups work to maintain balance. When swaying on the fitball, the baby's arms approach the floor, encouraging the extensor muscles to activate.

Together with your child, pat the ball with your hands and feet. This exercise will amuse the baby, help to slightly ease the tension in the muscles. The photo clearly demonstrates several exercises, the implementation of which will help to significantly alleviate the symptoms of hypertonicity. The doctor will help to make the most accurate prognosis of recovery, give individual recommendations for a particular case.