My eighteen month old daughter stiffens her legs up repeatedly at various times of the day, is it normal?

Question

my daughter started with the most peculiar behavior recently. she stiffens her legs at different intervals of the day. she seems fine, i can get her to stop with some gentle coaxing; but it seems strange still. she does it sometimes until she is drenched in sweat. is this normal? or should i be worried?

Answer 1

I would have her checked out. This is not normal. Don't let the doctor make you feel like an over protective mother. That is your job.  As her mom.

Answer 2

Sounds like a pretty mild and odd behavior.  Is she doing it herself or can she not stop?  Is she scared or okay?  If she can't stop, if she's not herself when she's doing it, then schedule an appointment for her with her pediatrician.  If she's doing it herself then that's just her, and it must be normal because she's doing it.

Answer 3

I don't think this is normal.  Talk to her ped. about it and may be do some research on the internet.  I like babycenter.com and get on the boards there.

Answer 4

Who knows, but children are sexual creatures (nobody wants to think or hear that, but it's true), and their parts work in terms of sensation, from birth, and she could be doing something that feels good to her. Nobody else who has posted has said anything like this, so I will offer it, to give a full range of possibilities. Don't shoot the messanger.

Answer 5

My personal recommendation would be to see your family doctor, regardless of what others say here. If it is your child you're talking about, I would not want to take any risks as to what people may say on these boards, regardless of how reliable they are. Your family doctor will know best, as it is his paid job, whereas posters here post with just their current knowledge on the matter. Just my opinion though.

Answer 6

she is just exercising

Answer 7

See a doctor immediately.

Answer 8

It may just be something she has learned and keeps doing out of curiosity or interest but the fact that she does it to the point where she works herself into a sweat would have me a little worried.  You should probably take her to her doctor and explain what's happening to him...better safe than sorry!  Good luck!

Answer 9

it's horrible to see your children straining or hurting themselves, especially when u dnt no why they do it. see a doctor, theres probably nothing wrong. but to put ur mind at rest.

Answer 10

you have a right to be worried.  it is totally not normal.  she may have a rare but serious condition called tourette's syndrome.  what happens in most cases is that the body violently twitches or freezes in an uncomfortable way.  your daughter may have a form of tourette's because of the stiffening of one section of her body;the legs.  if i were you, i'd get to your daughter's pediatrician as soon as possible.  there is no guarantee that i am right, but im all for the health stuff.  hopefully, her problem is not what i think it is because tourette's causes a shorter life and uncomfortableness throughout  her life.  it is probably just a phase, but still, go see her pediatrician really soon.

good luck and i hope the two of you are lucky in the health department.