My Baby Has Tremors
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, Stanford Children's Health, Boston Children's Hospital guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about has tremors, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Brief tremors or shaking (especially of the chin, hands, or legs) are very common in newborns and usually completely harmless. They happen because your baby's nervous system is still developing and can be a bit jittery, especially when your baby is crying, cold, or just waking up. Most babies outgrow these tremors by 2-3 months.
Key takeaways
- Brief tremors or shaking (especially of the chin, hands, or legs) are very common in newborns and usually completely harmless. They happen because your baby's nervous system is still developing and can be a bit jittery, especially when your baby is crying, cold, or just waking up. Most babies outgrow these tremors by 2-3 months.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 3 months old and has brief tremors when crying, cold, or just waking up.
- Call your doctor if: Tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, Stanford Children's Health, Boston Children's Hospital guidelines, brief tremors or shaking (especially of the chin, hands, or legs) are very common in newborns and usually completely harmless. They happen because your baby's nervous system is still developing and can be a bit jittery, especially when your baby is crying, cold, or just waking up. Most babies outgrow these tremors by 2-3 months. At 0-2 months, trembling or shaking is extremely common at this age, especially in the chin, lower lip, hands, or legs. You might notice it most when your baby is crying, undressed (and a bit chilly), or transitioning between sleep and waking. This happens because your baby's nervous system is immature and gets easily overstimulated. As long as you can stop the tremor by gently holding the shaking body part still, and your baby is otherwise eating well and developing normally, this is benign and will fade. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 3 months old and has brief tremors when crying, cold, or just waking up. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 months
Trembling or shaking is extremely common at this age, especially in the chin, lower lip, hands, or legs. You might notice it most when your baby is crying, undressed (and a bit chilly), or transitioning between sleep and waking. This happens because your baby's nervous system is immature and gets easily overstimulated. As long as you can stop the tremor by gently holding the shaking body part still, and your baby is otherwise eating well and developing normally, this is benign and will fade.
3-5 months
Tremors should be becoming less frequent by this age as your baby's nervous system matures. Occasional chin quivering or hand shaking when your baby is upset or very excited is still normal. If tremors are happening multiple times a day or seem to be getting worse instead of better, mention it to your pediatrician just to be safe.
6+ months
Tremors are much less common at this age. If your baby is still having frequent shaking episodes, especially if they can't be stopped by holding the trembling limb still, or if they're rhythmic and repetitive, talk to your doctor. Persistent tremors beyond 6 months can sometimes signal an underlying issue that needs evaluation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has tremors and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 6 months old and still has frequent tremors.
- Mention if tremors are getting more frequent or more intense rather than fading.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 3 months old and has brief tremors when crying, cold, or just waking up.
- The tremor stops immediately when you gently hold the shaking body part still or when you calm your baby.
- Your baby is otherwise feeding well, gaining weight, and meeting developmental milestones.
- Tremors are getting less frequent as your baby gets older.
- Your baby is over 6 months old and still has frequent tremors.
- Tremors are getting more frequent or more intense rather than fading.
- You can't stop the tremor by gently holding the body part still.
- Tremors happen even when your baby is calm, warm, and not upset.
- Tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
- Tremors are accompanied by eye rolling, stiffening, loss of consciousness, or your baby turning blue.
- Tremors started suddenly and are accompanied by fever, vomiting, lethargy, or other signs of illness.
- Your baby seems to "tune out" or not respond to you during a shaking episode.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has tremors — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 3 months old and has brief tremors when crying, cold, or just waking up — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-2 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is has tremors normal?
When should I call the doctor about has tremors?
When is has tremors normal?
What causes has tremors?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has tremors?
Is has tremors normal at 0-2 months?
Is has tremors normal at 3-5 months?
Should I go to the ER for has tremors?
Does has tremors go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Newborn Jitteriness and Tremors AAP
- [2]Stanford Children's Health - Jitteriness in Newborns Stanford Children's Health
- [3]Boston Children's Hospital - Distinguishing Tremors from Seizures in Infants Boston Children's Hospital
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has Tremors.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has tremors and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 6 months old and still has frequent tremors.
- Mention if tremors are getting more frequent or more intense rather than fading.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 6 months old and still has frequent tremors.
- Tremors are getting more frequent or more intense rather than fading.
- You can't stop the tremor by gently holding the body part still.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
- Tremors are accompanied by eye rolling, stiffening, loss of consciousness, or your baby turning blue.
- Tremors started suddenly and are accompanied by fever, vomiting, lethargy, or other signs of illness.
My notes
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All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has tremors are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if tremors are rhythmic (same movement over and over), last more than 20-30 seconds, and your baby can't be calmed or interrupted during them - this could be a seizure.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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