Baby Arching Back: When to Worry and When It's Normal
When your baby suddenly arches their back, especially while crying or during feeds, it can be stressful and confusing. Sometimes, arching is a normal way for babies to stretch or show frustration. Other times, frequent or very stiff arching can be a sign of reflux, discomfort, or, in rare cases, a neurological issue such as cerebral palsy.
Why Do Babies Arch Their Backs?
Babies can't tell you that their tummy hurts or that they're overstimulated, so they use their whole body to communicate. Arching the back is one of the ways babies signal communication.
Normal or common reasons for arching their back include:
- Stretching after waking up or during play
- Startle reflex (Moro reflex) in young infants
- Frustration, tiredness, or sensory overload
Arching can also be a response to discomfort, like gas, reflux, or pain with feeding. In some babies, frequent arching is related to high muscle tone or stiffness (known as hypertonia) or a problem with how the brain controls movement.
Is It Normal for Babies to Arch Their Back?
When Back Arching Is Usually Harmless
Occasional back arching is many times a part of normal development. Babies may arch when:
- They're startled or upset
- They don't want to be fed or cuddled at the moment
- They're trying to roll over or push against you
- They're excited or mad during diaper changes or car seat buckling
If your baby arches their back during these times but normally feeds well, gains weight, and meets milestones, then occasional arching is typically not a sign of any serious problem.
When Back Arching Should Be Examined Closer
Arching becomes more of a concern when it is:
- Very frequent or intense
- Hard enough that your baby feels rigid, locked, or "stiff as a board"
- Paired with feeding struggles, poor weight gain, or developmental delays
These signs could be related to reflux, Sandifer syndrome, high muscle tone, seizures, or early signs of a motor disorder, like cerebral palsy.
Baby Arching Back and Crying
Many parents first notice arching when their baby is crying. Babies may cry with their back arched because they are:
- Overstimulated or overwhelmed
- Gassy or constipated
- Hungry but frustrated with feeding
- Uncomfortable from tight clothing or positioning
Look at what else is happening when the arching occurs. If your baby calms down with soothing, burping, or a change of position and seems content in between, the crying-plus-arching may be more behavioral or comfort-related than a medical issue.
However, contact your pediatrician sooner if you notice any of these signs:
- Your baby's cry is high-pitched or sounds unusual
- Your baby seems to be in pain when moved
- The arching and crying happen many times a day and are hard to console
Baby Arching Back During Feeding
Oftentimes, arching during or right after feeding is commonly linked to reflux.
Reflux and GERD
Reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) most often occurs in babies during the first few months and gets better after about 6 to 12 months. Reflux is also common in premature babies because the muscles that pinch the stomach closed may not be fully developed yet.
Signs of reflux and GERD include:
- Frequent spitting up or vomiting
- Arching the back and crying during or after feeds
- Refusing feeds or pulling away from the breast or bottle
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
Many babies with reflux are still healthy overall. If your pediatrician approves, managing reflux can be as simple as changing your baby's positioning during feeding and sleep.
Sandifer Syndrome
Sandifer syndrome is a rare condition where a baby has sudden, brief episodes of back arching, twisting, or stiff postures after eating and is associated with GERD. Sandifer syndrome causes babies to arch multiple times a day, for minutes at a time, and is often mistaken for baby seizures.
- Dramatic arching or "almost U-shaped" posture during or shortly after feeding
- Twisting of the neck or head
- Tilting of the head to one side
- Poor eye movement or tracking
- Episodes that repeat with feeds but stop once reflux is treated
Note: Sandifer syndrome will go away after reflux is treated and often resolves on its own. If you see any patterns of this, call your pediatrician so they can treat your baby for reflux and rule out seizures.
Baby Arching Back When Lying Down or Sleeping
Some babies arch when they are lying on their back, drifting off to sleep, or just stretching out normally. Arching can also increase when a baby with reflux lies flat, because stomach contents move more easily into the esophagus.
Babies with significant reflux or GERD may:
- Arch their back and cry when placed down after feeds
- Sleep better when held upright on a caregiver's chest
- Wake up frequently with discomfort
Practicing safe sleep for your baby is still important. Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface, unless your pediatrician gives different instructions for a medical reason.
When Back Arching May Be a Sign of a Neurological or Muscle Tone Problem
Hypertonia (High Muscle Tone)
Hypertonia means the muscles are unusually tight or stiff. Babies with hypertonia may feel rigid in your arms, arch their back, or hold their limbs very straight. Their muscles may resist gentle movement or feel "springy" when you try to bend them.
High muscle tone can happen after a birth injury, lack of oxygen to the brain, infections, or other neurological conditions. It can also be one of the early signs of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect motor and cognitive control, mobility, and muscle tone. On its own, back arching does not mean a baby has cerebral palsy. However, persistent unusual posture and abnormal muscle tone (too stiff or too floppy) are often early signs.
Arching becomes a concern when it starts appearing alongside:
- Very stiff or very floppy muscles
- Legs that scissor or cross when lifted up
- Persistent clenched fists after about 3 months
- Obvious preference for using one side of the body
- Delays in rolling, sitting, or crawling
- Feeding difficulties, choking, or poor weight gain
Note: If you start to see several of these signs together, you should talk to your child's pediatrician and ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist for diagnosis and potentially starting an early treatment program if needed.
Brachial Plexus Injury
Sometimes during a difficult delivery, a baby's nerves in the neck or shoulder can get damaged, which is known as a brachial plexus injury. This can cause pain, numbness, or fatigue in a baby's shoulder, neck, or limb.
Oftentimes, babies who have experienced a brachial plexus injury have stronger back muscles to compensate for the lack of muscle tone in other areas of the body. This can lead to them arching their back more frequently.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Normally, back arching is just a normal part of development or the baby responding to gassiness or mild reflux. If arching is more frequent and paired with other symptoms, call your pediatrician soon if you notice any of these signs:
- Frequent or intense arching that makes holding or feeding your baby difficult
- Poor weight gain (or losing weight), frequent vomiting, or refusing to be fed
- Arching and stiffening mostly on one side of the body
- Missed motor milestones like rolling, sitting, and crawling
- Very stiff or very floppy muscles
- Crying for extended periods (3 hours or longer)
- Not wetting their diaper
Go to the ER or call 911 when you notice:
- Arching is accompanied by breathing problems, blue lips, or pauses in breathing
- Your baby has seizure-like or jerky movements and/or suddenly becomes unresponsive
- High fever and extreme lethargy
- Repeated forceful vomiting with signs of dehydration (no tears, fewer wet diapers, dry mouth)
- High-pitched or unusual crying
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Soft spots or bulges on the head
- Weak sucking or difficulty latching
How Doctors Evaluate a Baby Who Arches Their Back
During your visit, your pediatrician will typically:
- Ask detailed questions about when the arching happens (during feeding, sleeping, lying flat, crying, etc)
- Review pregnancy, birth, and medical history
- Check your baby's weight, length, and head growth
- Examine muscle tone, reflexes, posture, and how your baby moves
Depending on what they find, they may:
- Have you try different feeding or positioning techniques to see if symptoms improve
- Order tests or imaging if they suspect reflux, infection, or neurological issues
- Refer you to a pediatric neurologist, gastroenterologist, or developmental specialist
- Connect you with early treatment and intervention services if there are motor delays
How Can I Help My Baby at Home?
Most babies who arch their back do so for normal reasons and will gradually do it less often as they grow. While you’re waiting for an appointment or working through a treatment plan, some families find these strategies helpful:
- Hold your baby more upright during and after feeds if reflux is an issue
- Offer smaller, more frequent feeds if your doctor agrees
- Burp your baby more often during feeds
- Keep track of when arching happens, how long it lasts, and what else is going on
If your baby is in therapy for high muscle tone or early motor delays, your physical or occupational therapist can show you specific positions and techniques to handle and calm your baby's body posture. Always check with your doctor and therapist before starting any new exercises.
Baby Arching Back FAQs
Written and Medically Reviewed by:
Cerebral Palsy Hub Team
Cerebral Palsy Hub was founded to help support children and their families with cerebral palsy and to create a safe space for those affected. We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tools to help give your child the life they deserve.
Last Updated: February 1, 2026
