I have a four month old who is constantly arching his back. What causes this, and is he uncomfortable?

Answer 1

What you describe could very well be helped with Cranio/Sacral physical therapy.

I recently saw an article on mybreastfeeding.com where Sylvia Boyd, who is a lactation consultant, was at a meeting with a group of new moms, and one baby was very fussy.

Here's an excerpt from that testimonial:

"With her hands, she was gently feeling for areas of strain and misalignment. She was helping baby David find his path back to balanced comfort with the inner alignment of his tissues from head to toe. She sat on the birth ball during the treatment which allowed her to easily move and rock him. My screaming baby calmed down within minutes and was quiet and pensive as he lay in her arms while she moved with him on our ball. I was so glad that I brought it.

Sylvia offered help for our car ride home since his past behavior was non-stop screaming for any car ride. She rolled up a little blanket to put under his knees, a baby wash cloth behind his neck and put two rolled swaddling blankets on the sides of him.

I don't know what she did that first day, but our car ride home was mostly peaceful. He slept almost through the night; it was as if some weight had been lifted and he could finally rest.
Here's a testimony to how Cranio/Sacral therapy helped our child."

One of my 5 children was a very fussy baby. He had to sleep in his swing, even at night, and constantly needed to be held or jostled. The only time he was somewhat content was when he was watching his older sister. When he was 12 months old, I noticed him sitting against the wall, and bumping his head, lightly, against the wall. I read something in one of my health books, that talked about babies bumping their heads against a wall, or liking to swing a lot, and it suggested I find an Osteopath who specialized in Cranio/Sacral therapy.

I called an alternative medicine office and they gave me the name of an Osteopath that specialized in CranioSacral therapy in infants. We took our child for a treatment, which was very gentle - I couldn't even tell she was doing anything for my baby...until my baby totally relaxed and nearly fell asleep. After the 2nd treatment, my baby was a totally different child. He was relaxed and happy.

What we learned was that our son had a slight head-ache from the time he was born. The rocking in the swing and constant movement made the head-ache tolerable. When he watched his sister, he was distracted enough not to notice it. Once the pressure in his head was relieved, the head-ache was gone, and he became a happy baby.

Our pediatrician did not believe that anything was physically wrong with our son. I knew that something wasn't right, and searched until I found an answer. I have since learned of a lactation consultant that knows CranioSacral therapy, and has worked with fussy babies to relieve them. This is the place I would start - searching for someone that knows CranioSacral therapy - our entire family of 7 has benefited from CranioSacral therapy. (Our Osteopath told us that CranioSacral therapy is as prevalent in the United Kingdom as Chiropractors are in the United States.)

I truly think that the actions your child is exhibiting when he is arching his back could be an indication that he is hurting and uncomfortable, and the arching is his way of trying to relieve pressure in his head. The way baby was positioned in the womb, combined with his entrance into the world (however that may have been) has a big effect on baby's head, neck and back. Hope you find this information helpful.

Answer 2

My first baby did this just to move around. My second baby did this from day one. He actually had acid reflux, so arching his back helped him feel better or something (according to the pediatrician). I doubt the baby is uncomfortable, but if you're still concerned, mention it at the baby's next checkup.

Answer 3

My 3 month old kept doing that, I took him to the doctor & he said that it could be indigestion, so if your son does it again try holding him for a while in case he has some trapped wind, which would be uncomfortable for him.

It could also be that he's trying to roll over. If he doesn't look like he's in pain, it should be okay but if you're worried take him to the doctor.

Answer 4

He may be trying to see more or roll over. My 6 month old daughter arches her back for these reasons, allthough my son never did this. All babies are different.

Answer 5

he's probably just moving for the sake of moving! They will wiggle and wriggle and sit up/pull themselves up on things at this age... He might just be discovering his body and the way it moves! Make sure he isnt laying on his back TOO much all day long... he should be alternating positions all day... and doing stretches! They love it...

Answer 6

She chosen you as her own human. Its incredibly a beneficial element whilst a cat attaches themselves to you, this skill which you have her love, interest, and affection. take exhilaration in it collectively as you may.

Answer 7

My baby did it all the time too. He was a very gassy baby so I attributed it to that. He eventually stopped.

Answer 8

My middle son did this. Even when he was hungry and I was feeding him. He's been diagnosed with mild Autism.