With pediatrician Célia Levavasseur, author of the “Guide for young parents who don’t want to die of exhaustion”
A hypertonic baby is a baby in need of intense attention (BABI) from the parents. He is hypersensitive, he feels more intense way events and needs prompt attention.
If he is separated from his parents, he also knows communicate intensely with other carers and to express their displeasure. He often makes awkward movements, constantly has the hands closed tightly, stiffens his lower and upper limbs and exhibits above average muscle tone. He has a very great need to suckle (the breast or the pacifier) to comfort himself.
“It is an often irritable and excitable baby who will react by being very toned. The slightest discomfort makes him nervous and makes cry. He is very demanding because he does not feel very well, he does not always sleep well, he may have a lot of reflux or have trouble digesting his meals“explains Célia Levavasseur.
A behavior that can very quickly exhaust parents who feel helpless in the face of the situation. They would like relieve their childbut don’t know how to do this.
Symptoms associated with hypertension are most often without signs of severity. “When the parents explain the situation to us, first of all, we do tests to make sure that there are no other pathologies. If there is nothing else, we reassure the parents and we explain to them that the child simply needs more closeness and time than another baby “entrust the doctor.
Parents will have to be patient during this difficult period, because at this age, we don’t talk about whims. Each of her tears is revealing a malaise to relieve as best we can.
Fortunately for parents, this phase is transient and lasts on average up to six or eight months, then gradually subsides.
Extremely rarely, when the symptoms last longer and we speak of severe hypertension, it may be indicative of other more serious pathologies, such as syndrome pyramidal which is a form of paralysis.
Why is my baby hypertonic?
There is no’rational explanation to that. Children are all different. “As I often tell parents, you don’t choose the model beforehand. Some babies are more demanding than others, some manage to calm down without any help, for example, others require more attention. You have to try to meet all their needs in the first few months so that they can develop properly.“says the pediatrician.
In cases of extreme stress over a long period during pregnancy, children can be very nervous from birth. “This mainly concerns mothers who have experienced war or drama throughout pregnancy.“.
Although he gives the impression to the contrary, the child needs a constant bond with his mother. “Usually, the BABI cries a lot, throws himself back when the mother puts him in a sling or a baby carrier, it’s quite simply because it’s a time for him to express his discomfort. Parents frequently think that he does not like it for this reason, on the contrary, you have to insist on getting him used to this method which will calm him down over time. It should be introduced gradually“says the pediatrician.
The pediatrician is formal, the best remedy for this phase to go as well as possible is closeness with the mother. “All babies should be in their mother’s arms during the first four months for their development. It has been proven that an infant who has been worn for 8 to 10 hours a day will cry less as time goes on”.
The relationship with the mother is paramount, they spent an average of eight and a half months together. “The smell of his mother, her soft voice, all of this is reassuring for the baby, these are things he knows well. The dad will take an average of nine months after birth to create a real connection. He will initially have the role of reassuring the mother so that she feels the best possible to take care of their little one.“.
It is with time that things will calm down, new parents must be reassured about this and don’t blame when their baby is not feeling well. You have to trust yourself, the answer lies in them. “In 50% of cases, during the first months, the parents are wrong, they do not understand what the child wants. They have to readjust and offer other things, constantly, whether it’s a change of diapers, a bottle or breast, a hug… Over time, the baby will be able to make himself understood.“concludes Célia Levavasseur.
Good news for the parents of BABI, it seems that with time and a lot of patience, they will become creative children and adultssensitive, compassionate and empathetic.