Have you ever seen your baby startle, spread his arms wide, and cry out in fear when you gently put him down or when he hears a small sound? It's normal for first-time parents to be a little scared when they see something like this. "Is something wrong with my baby? Is he scared?" You might think. But don't worry, this is often a very important sign that a baby is born with and that tells us that he is healthy. Today we are talking about this 'startle' that every new mother should know, which is medically known as the Moro Reflex.
Simply put, what is the Moro Reflex?
The Moro reflex is an involuntary response that occurs when newborns feel like they are about to fall, or when they are suddenly startled by a loud noise or bright light. This is not something the baby does consciously. Just as we close our eyes without realizing it when something comes into our eyes, this response occurs automatically in babies.
It is named after Ernst Moro, a German pediatrician who first described it in 1918. What is surprising is that the Moro reflex is also said to help a baby take its first breath after birth. So it is much more than just a simple twitch.
What exactly is the baby doing when this happens?
If you look closely, you can see that there are a few clear steps to this. Imagine that you are about to put your baby out of bed. At that moment, if your baby feels like he is about to fall over, here are a few things that might happen:
1. Startle and fright: First, the baby suddenly startsle and has a frightened look on his face.
2. Spreading the arms: Next, he quickly straightens his arms out to the sides. At the same time, he turns his palms up and spreads his fingers wide.
3. Head tilting back: At the same time, the head tilts back a little.
4. Crying: After a few seconds, the baby starts crying.
5. Curling back up: Finally, the outstretched arms are curled back up towards the chest, as if about to hug someone. Then the monk calms down for a moment.
This entire process happens and ends within a few seconds.
Why are doctors so concerned about this?
You may be wondering, "Why is the doctor asking so much about this simple twitch?" The reason is, this Moro reflex is a very valuable clue to how your baby's nervous system and brain are developing.
The Moro reflex is a standard test performed by a doctor after a baby is born. If this response in a healthy baby is good, strong, and the same on both sides, it means that the baby's central nervous system is functioning well. That's great news for a mother or father to hear.
Why do babies have this reflex?
This is actually a protective mechanism given to babies by nature. Imagine, a small baby cannot say, "Oh, I'm going to fall, save me!" So, as soon as it feels like it's going to fall, this reflex causes the baby to jerk, spread its arms, and cry, quickly getting the attention of mom or dad.
Simply put, the baby's vestibular system in the inner ear sends an emergency signal to the brainstem that it is "falling." At the same time, the relevant parts of the brain give commands to the body to respond accordingly. All of this happens without the baby even realizing it.
How long has this reflex been around?
This reflex begins to develop while a baby is still in its mother's womb, from the second or third trimester of pregnancy. After birth, it becomes very noticeable.
But this isn't always the case. As your baby's brain and nervous system develop, they learn to control their movements. However, these automatic responses gradually disappear. The Moro reflex usually disappears completely between 4 and 6 months of age .
Then, this turns into the 'startle' instinct we all have, the 'Strauss reflex'. That is, we startle at a loud noise, and only then do we look around and think, "What happened, is it an accident?" The baby's Moro reflex also translates into an adult startle like that.
Important: Do not try this at home. The doctor will carefully hold the baby, support the head, and then lower it slightly. This should only be done by a trained doctor. Otherwise, the baby may be in danger.
What are the special things the doctor pays attention to when examining this?
When your baby's doctor tests this reflex, he or she will pay special attention to three main things. This can tell you a lot about your baby's health.
| Check point | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Strength of the reflex | How strong the response is is important. In preterm babies, it may be a little weaker, which is normal. But in other babies, if it is weak or absent at all, it may be a sign of a problem with the baby's central nervous system. |
| Are both sides the same? (Symmetry) | A healthy baby should be able to spread both arms at the same time, to the same extent, and at the same time. If only one arm moves, or if one arm moves less than the other, this may indicate a birth injury (such as a broken collarbone) or a problem with a nerve on that side. |
| Is it appropriate for the baby's age? (Age appropriateness) | This reflex should be present at birth. It should become stronger over the next few months. But it should also disappear by about 6 months. If it is not present at birth or is still present after 6 months, it may be a sign of a developmental delay or other problem. |
What if the baby is still fussing even though he's 6 months old?
First of all, don't panic. But this is something you should definitely talk to your doctor about. If this reflex doesn't go away by 6 months, as it should, it could be a sign that your baby's nervous system isn't developing as well as we'd like.
Babies who have this reflex persistently may show symptoms such as:
- Being overly sensitive to loud noises and sudden changes.
- A tendency to always be afraid and anxious about even the smallest things.
- Difficulty staying in one place, constantly fidgeting, and hyperactive .
This does not mean that your baby definitely has these problems. However, it is an important sign that needs further investigation. There are treatments available at times like this, such as special exercises that can help train your baby's nervous system. Your doctor will tell you more about this and, if necessary, refer you to an appropriate pediatrician.
It's not fun to see your baby crying in fear. But remember, this Moro reflex is an important message to you and your doctor that he is healthy and growing well. If you have any questions or doubts about this, never hesitate to ask your doctor at your baby's next clinic visit.
Take-Home Message
- The Moro reflex is a healthy, completely normal thing for newborns. Don't worry about it.
- This provides very important information about whether your baby's brain and nervous system are developing healthily.
- This twitching usually goes away on its own between 4 and 6 months of age.
- If your baby's kicks are not the same on both sides, seem very weak, or are still present after 6 months, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
- Do not try to test this reflex at home. It should be done by a trained physician.
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