My Baby Twists His Wrists

If you are perplexed and at your wit’s end because of your baby’s obsessive twisting of wrists, there is just no need. For some babies, wrist-twisting and other strange body postures are just a phase they eventually outgrow. Some kids will twist their wrists if they are feeling emotional. Either they are upset or excited, so you need to monitor the reason behind the act. But it also depends on the actual age of your child. For example, is your baby between 6-9 months? Then it’s pretty natural, and they are probably merely testing their physical abilities. 

You must observe if your child is also meeting developmental milestones to decide if the twisting is a red flag for a more significant health issue. If yours is a much older baby, the habit may look odd, and you need an expert opinion to allay your most profound fears.

Most specialists suggest a diagnosis for severe conditions such as Autism if the behavior persists longer than necessary. Although with mild Autism, some kids can still meet their growth milestones; it wouldn’t hurt to have a doctor rule out an underlying condition.

Is wrist twirling normal in babies?

It is usual for babies to move and explore their bodies by twisting, bending, and wriggling their limbs. This is called gross motor development and is integral to their overall physical development. It is also common for babies to bend their wrists and hands while exploring their environment, as they are learning to use their fingers and hands to grasp and manipulate objects. Twirling their wrists is one way that babies can practice and develop their fine motor skills and coordination.

Why does my baby rotate her wrists?

Babies are constantly exploring and learning about their bodies and environment, and rotating their wrists is one way to do this. It is a normal part of their gross motor development and integral to learning how to use their hands and fingers to grasp and manipulate objects. Babies are also learning how to coordinate their movements and control their bodies, so rotating their wrists is one way they practice and develop these skills.

Twisting writs and Autism

There is no specific relationship between a baby twisting their wrists and Autism. Twisting of the wrists is a joint movement many babies make as they explore and learn about their bodies and the world around them. This type of gross motor activity is standard and not explicitly associated with Autism.

When Wrist Twisting Can Be a Warning Sign

According to various studies, most very young kids will do things that autistic kids do. Therefore, it is usually alright for babies within a specific age range to familiarize themselves with various body motions, including wrist twisting. But doctors advise you to closely study your child to ascertain that the behavior is not odd. For example, if some postures go beyond a specific age range and are more intense, you have reason to seek medical advice. Also, you need to test if your baby responds to other stimuli with the same interest they have for their wrists. If not, you are justified to assume that your little one has an underlying medical issue.

Other Red Flags to Watch

Although at this stage, you are particularly not looking for signs of Autism in your baby, you can pick up early signs of trouble in your child’s obsessive behavior. This should also push you to seek immediate expert help for your child. For example, does your baby spend considerable time looking at objects? Normal development goes with a much shorter attention span, where your baby may see an item, try to pick it, and be banging it or even biting within minutes.

Again, be careful if your baby is uncharacteristically quiet and does not frequently use their voice to communicate with you or anyone else. Then, also check for your child’s facial expressions. Do they often have a big bright smile on their faces? Do they pay close attention when you speak to them? If yes, that should be fine, but have a doctor assess your child for possible Autism if there is a more neutral response.

Necessary Tests for Your Wrist-Twisting Baby

It helps to be positive and to believe that your baby is just going through a phase. However, it’s also essential to know the early signs of illness and get timely help. To eliminate necessary doubt, use a simple assessment to test your child’s growth, such as a test for name recognition. Your baby should quickly look up once you call out their name. A red flag is if they are merely looking up sometimes. Again, is your child babbling out the usual Goo-goo, gaga words by age 5-6 months? You have reason to fear if they are not uttering these sounds by now. 

Other Useful Assessments for Your Baby

As young as two months, your baby can recognize and respond to others’ smiles, so take it as a warning sign if they haven’t achieved this crucial milestone. Another marker is if your baby is fond of lining up their toys. For some odd reason, autistic kids have this weird behavior to line up or spin their toys, unlike your normal baby. Generally, see if your baby is in any way misrepresenting social cues. Or are they missing them entirely? This assessment, coupled with the wrist-twisting, can be quite telling and allows you to seek necessary medical intervention quickly.

Disruptive to Sleep

As a parent, it can be frustrating and worrying when your baby constantly twists their wrists. Not only is it potentially uncomfortable for your little one, but it can also disrupt their sleep. At SleepBaby.org, we understand the importance of physical and mental comfort in achieving restful sleep. That’s why our comprehensive program addresses sleep patterns and techniques to promote relaxation and ease any physical discomfort that may prevent your baby from drifting off peacefully.

Our holistic approach combines scientific-based schedules with calming, natural remedies like miracle sleep sounds to regulate sleep hormones and create a sense of security. So if your baby’s wrist twisting is causing sleepless nights for your whole family, don’t wait any longer. Instead, visit SleepBaby.org and take the first step towards peaceful sleep for you and your little one.