Weird behavior when falling asleep?

[mrs.t]

My almost 6mo DS does this weird thing when he is falling asleep. He swings his arms, sometimes one, sometimes both. It's not the startle reflex, he's awake when he's doing it. It's almost like he's hitting something. What the heck is this? Do your DC do anything weird like that?

[lucy_v]

I think it may be the same thing my 6.5 month old DD does... kind of like she's flapping her arms. Tonight her arms were swinging and her legs were kicking. It's like she has all this excess energy trying to escape wherever it can.

[mrs.t]

Yes, like flapping, only not out to the sides like wings. More of an up and down motion...he kicks his legs too sometimes.

[motherlover3074]

Originally Posted by mrs.t

Yes, like flapping, only not out to the sides like wings. More of an up and down motion...he kicks his legs too sometimes.

that's might be cute.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Yep, DD 5 1/2 months does this too. She swings her arms, usually her left, sometimes both like she's hitting something. At bedtime, she kicks her feet and swings her arms. Eventually it calms down enough for her to sleep. May very well be an energy release, otherwise IDK!

[Jaxinator]

My almost 5 year old still does this. I think it's kind of like a winding down thing for him, something to focus on and relax his mind.

[Annie Mac]

My 3 days shy of 6 months old does that too. Not only when she's about to fall asleep either. She'll do it throughout the day as well.

[RiverandJulie]

Mine does it too. Glad to hear he is not the only one.

[mrs.t]

Wow, so I guess it's totally normal! Weird!

[AFWife]

17mo still does this! It sucks being smacked in the face.

[Lillitu]

Mine does this too (now 8 MO, has done it for months now). We assume it is stop himself from falling asleep, as he will also get on hands and knees and rock too. Lil devil.

[mom2happy]

That is cute. It would be kind of funny if they grew up and did it as adults.

[mrs.t]

Mine does this too (now 8 MO, has done it for months now). We assume it is stop himself from falling asleep, as he will also get on hands and knees and rock too. Lil devil.

I was thinking this as well. It seems like he does it when he's overtired, cranky, and thinks it's still time to play.