4.5 month old stimming?

Question

I've noticed for the past few weeks my baby has started stimming. She is now 4.5 months old and only does it while eating. It started while she was nursing, she would move her foot back and forth with her toes rubbing the seam of the couch cushion. Now that we've started solids, she does it in her high chair even before I start feeding her. She'll do pretty much the same thing: rubbing her toes on the edge of the high chair. In both cases she pushes pretty hard so that it is kind of like a flicking: it always makes a noise. I'm just concerned because I haven't really seen this in other babies. Does anyone have a baby or know of any babies that did something similar? Did they end up having a developmental disorder? I'm just concerned that she may have some kind of sensory processing disorder. 

She also sucks on her bottom lip a lot. I'm not sure if this could be related.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Nyki · Accepted Answer

If this is something that is worrying you then I would certainly talk to your pediatrician. I would try not to worry yourself sick about it though. My daughter rubs my chest or arm when I feed her. When my fiance was a baby he pinched his moms elbow skin when she nursed him and to this day he will pull and manipulate my elbow skin. I also have a friend that when he was a baby he would run the seam of his blanket or shirt under his finger nail and still to this day does it... its more than likely just a comforting movement for her but like i said if it is worrying you then you should certainly make an appt with your ped.

? · Answer

Oy. Your 4.5mo is not "stimming." 

A basic infant care/development book would not go amiss here; good to have a firm grasp on what is normal and what is "some kind of sensory processing disorder"

Your doctor is giving you outdated advice. Your kid is having a growth spurt -- you need to nurse more frequently to up your supply to meet her needs, not push in highly refined starch.

Good links on cereal: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080321134522AAJdBps
On solids: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

? · Answer

Breast fed babies don't need solids until 6 months plus. My son used to knead my arm until I'd have bruises. Sounds like your baby is doing this to comfort herself. Some babies rock themselves by bouncing. Some rub ears and suck their thumbs. When it comes to her lip sucking, that sounds like teething.

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4.5 month old stimming?

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