LO puts himself in the position pictured below. His head is all the way back and his back is bent inward (opposite of arch). He did this one time in front of his pediatrician at his one month check up while being touched and examined. The pediatrician freaked out. He isn't in pain and seems to do it when asleep and awake. When I move him back to a more linear position he puts himself back in the curve.
Is this normal? Does your LO do the same?
grapefruit / 4584 posts
My kids definitely did this and it also freaked me out - babies are flexible!!
pear / 1593 posts
seems normal to me. but o.m.g. is he not the most beautiful little thing??!
pear / 1718 posts
It could be (and likely is) completely normal, but it could also be a sign of other issues (e.g. reflux, etc.), so I would keep an eye on it and make sure to discuss it with your Ped (again, as long it continues to keep it on her/his radar).
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: why did the pediatrician freak out?? Does he roll himself onto his side already?
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
Both my kids have slept like this! My almost 4 year old sometimes still does!
kiwi / 702 posts
My DD is 19 months and sleeps like this most of the time, and has slept on her side basically since day 1. What did your ped think could be the problem if any? I don't see any. If he's sleeping like that he's obviously comfortable, right?
persimmon / 1483 posts
@runnerd: I was going to say the same thing. He is ridiculously cute!!
cantaloupe / 6634 posts
I was more struck by how beautiful he is and not his position!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I'm pretty sure mine did that too. Kinda surprised that it freaked out your doctor... Haven't they seen it all?
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@travellingbee: Yes, he rolls to one side. DH says he's rolled all the way over at least once. After he did it during the exam she basically didn't want to touch him any more and asked us why he did it. We didn't have an explanation, but just told her he does it all the time.
@pwnstar: I have the burp cloth under him because he is spitting up milk quite a bit when he's moved around even 45 minutes after feeding. We see his new pediatrician next week and I will definitely bring it up.
@runnerd: aww, thank you!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@simplyfelicity: @Madison43: thanks ladies!
@Mrs. Pajamas: she didn't say, but he's getting a new ped soon. Now that the countdown draw nears for daycare I just want to make sure he's a-ok before leaving him all day in someone else's care.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
Mine used to do that all the time. It never occurred to me that it wasn't normal. The pediatrician asked you why he did it? That seems so weird to me. Hopefully your new one will be more helpful. Btw, he is so cute!
honeydew / 7504 posts
Both of my kids have done this. I always just thought it was because they were trying to look around and take in the environment. I feel like if your pediatrician was that concerned that she wouldn't even TOUCH him for the rest of the exam, then perhaps an explanation as to why she was so concerned would have been appropriate and maybe a referral to some kind of specialist?! That seems really inappropriate to me. I hope you get some answers from your new pediatrician!
ETA: Both of my kids have/had reflux, so maybe it's something to do with that, as PP suggested? Since you mentioned he's spitting up a lot, maybe there's a connection there.
nectarine / 2821 posts
@littlebug: agree what a weird pediatrician!
He's beautiful. So happy for you 
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@littlebug: @junebugsmama: man, I should have pressed her for more clarification. Then, I wouldn't have posted such a dumb question here.
@catlady: @junebugsmama: @edelweiss: @macintosh: thanks!
honeydew / 7504 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Not a dumb question. I just think it's rather unprofessional for your physician to react like that and then not offer any follow up! There are lot of times I dont think of things in the moment because I'm so overwhelmed or whatever. As a physician, it's her job to explain things, ESPECIALLY when it comes with such a strong reaction!
pomegranate / 3658 posts
My LO never did that, but she didn't have the chance to, since she went from swaddle to Merlin suit to flipping over onto her stomach to sleep with her butt in the air. Sounds like everyone else thinks it's normal.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
My LO does this sometimes.
In regards to the other comments about reflux, this position CAN be a sign of reflux. Something about arching their head away from their chest stretches out the esophagus and lessens their discomfort, I think I remember reading...
nectarine / 2987 posts
Both my babies did this. One had reflux, one did not. I though it was weird until I was tossing in bed one night and realized I sometimes sleep like that too!
pear / 1697 posts
My refluxy baby did this a lot. He did it less once he was on meds. Now that he's bigger I notice him doing it after large meals, so, plausibly still reflux related.
blogger / apricot / 424 posts
Mine did this in the womb, while I was in labour ha ha! They thought he might actually be stuck like that but after my c-section, out he came just fine. He still ( at almost 18months ) will do that exact position when he's upset or tired. I'm still trying to explain to him it doesn't work but at least it doesn't hurt either of us now 
I wouldn't worry if he doesn't seem upset.
pomegranate / 3127 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: what a cutie! Actually that looks very comfy, both of my kids did that when learning to roll (especially when sleeping, but also when awake and trying to look around). I think it's a baby's way of stretching from their usual position. Very odd reaction from your pedi though, and she should have at least explained why she's acting like that.
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