Twitching at Naptime

[Lil'DinoEggs]

I have a three yo child who twitches as nap time. He doesn't show tics or twitches during the day, but at nap time, he kicks, fingers go up and down, sometimes he needs to bang his head up an down. He is exhausted and he does fall asleep but his twitching literally keeps him from falling asleep sooner. I try to massage his legs, breathing techniques and heavy blankets, but no luck. Any suggestions?

[SilverSabre25]

sounds overtired, or maybe Restless Leg Syndrome. I had that really bad when I was pregnant with n2, and still get it sometimes when I'm overtired. I think it can be linked to magnesium deficiency.

[Cradle2crayons]

I have a three yo child who twitches as nap time. He doesn't show tics or twitches during the day, but at nap time, he kicks, fingers go up and down, sometimes he needs to bang his head up an down. He is exhausted and he does fall asleep but his twitching literally keeps him from falling asleep sooner. I try to massage his legs, breathing techniques and heavy blankets, but no luck. Any suggestions?

Does he do it at home and has he always done it?

[Heidi]

I had a boyfriend who did that years ago. He did it every time he went to sleep.

I do once in a while, as well. It's just the lighter (REM) sleep phase. It's literally "falling" asleep...sometimes there's a sensation of falling.

[Heidi]

sounds overtired, or maybe Restless Leg Syndrome. I had that really bad when I was pregnant with n2, and still get it sometimes when I'm overtired. I think it can be linked to magnesium deficiency.

I also had restless leg syndrome with all 4 of my pregnancies; and insomnia progressively worse with each one (last one it was 6 weeks). Honestly, I cannot fathom how I survived. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw myself off a bridge (12 years since the last one). Seriously, it was pretty awful.

[lovemykidstoo]

I have twitching and tingles in my legs all the time. I have found that the more water I drink during the day, the less it happens. It may be his muscles are dehydrated. Pump him full of water throughout the day and see if that helps.

[Lil'DinoEggs]

Does he do it at home and has he always done it?

I have mentioned it to parents, but they don't comment on it. I know having trouble sleeping at night is a common occurrence though I thought that was an entirely different issue. I am having a conference to look at him overall next week and I want to bring it up not so much the nap time twitching, but how the inconsistent sleep schedule at home is affecting him here. I will be more specific about the twitching in case that is an issue at home as well.

As far as it being RLS, I will look up more info on it. I was thinking about it, but I know so little about it other than it is annoying and can affect other parts of your body.

[Heidi]

Here is an article I found on "hypnic jerking"...

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/why-do-we-twitch-were-falling-asleep-785736

Side note: Be sure to read the mention of something called "exploding head syndrome" Made me spit out my coffee...::

[lovemykidstoo]

Look up dehydration and muscle twitching.

[Starburst]

I have a three yo child who twitches as nap time. He doesn't show tics or twitches during the day, but at nap time, he kicks, fingers go up and down, sometimes he needs to bang his head up an down. He is exhausted and he does fall asleep but his twitching literally keeps him from falling asleep sooner. I try to massage his legs, breathing techniques and heavy blankets, but no luck. Any suggestions?

Sounds like sleep tremors. Is he on any medication? I had that for a while when I was anti-depressants (though there are other medication that can cause that side effect, even for a while after taking it). It can also be caused by stress, are there any changes at home (potty training, new sibling, night terrors, divorce/separation)? It could also be dehydration, too much sugar, food color dye, or caffeine in his diet; or by thyroid issues. But sometimes they don't have any causes (a "phase") and sometimes they just go away on their own. Some people just involuntarily move around when they sleep, I know I kick and toss and turn in my sleep. I would just let the parents know and suggest that they mention it at his next doctors appointment (if it is a regular occurrence).

http://www.livestrong.com/article/541545-night-tremors-in-children/