Have you ever tried to put your little one to sleep and then put him down in his crib, only to have him suddenly startle, throw his arms out to the sides, and start crying? Or have you ever been sound asleep and suddenly startle him? Many new parents are a little scared when they see this. But don't worry, this is a normal reaction that most healthy babies have from birth. We call this the Moro Reflex or the startle reflex.
What is the Moro Reflex?
Simply put, a reflex is an action that occurs automatically in the body, without our conscious control. Newborn babies have several primitive reflexes that are innate. These are very important for their development. The Moro reflex is one such reflex.
Imagine, you are holding your baby and trying to put him down in the crib, and his head suddenly jerks back a little. Or you suddenly hear a loud noise, or you see a bright light. At this point, the baby feels like he is about to fall. At that moment, the baby does:
1. Suddenly , spread your arms out to the sides , tilt your neck back, and spread your fingers out.
2. Then quickly bring your hands together again , as if you were going to hug someone. Bend your elbows as well.
3. Then hold the hands normally.
At this point, the baby's face may look shocked and scared. Sometimes they may even start crying. This whole process is called the Moro reaction. This is one of the first signs that the baby's nervous system is functioning well.
When will this shaking go away?
This reaction usually decreases gradually by the time the baby is about 2 months old, and disappears completely by 6 months . This is because as the baby's brain gradually matures, he gains better control over his body, especially his head. Then the need for such spontaneous reactions disappears.
This Moro reflex may be a little weaker in preterm babies. It may also take longer for it to disappear than in normal babies, sometimes even longer than 6 months. This is because their muscles are a little less strong. Don't worry about it. Your doctor will let you know about it.
Other spontaneous reactions in babies
In addition to the Moro reaction, there are several other important reactions in newborns. Your doctor will check for these at your baby's clinic.
| Reflex Name | How does that happen? | When will it disappear? |
|---|---|---|
| Rooting Reflex | When you gently stroke a baby's cheek or the corner of their mouth with your finger, they will turn their head in that direction and open their mouth. This helps them find the nipple to suckle. | At about 4 months. |
| Sucking reflex | When you put something in your baby's mouth (e.g., finger, soup), the baby begins to spit as soon as it hits the roof of the mouth. | A permanent reaction that comes from birth. |
| Grasping Reflex | If you put your finger inside your baby's hand, he will hold it tightly. And when you rub the sole of his foot, he will curl his toes. | At about 5-6 months. |
| Stepping Reflex | If you hold the baby upright and let his feet touch a hard surface like a table, the baby will wiggle his legs as if trying to walk. | At about 2 months. |
| Tonic Neck Reflex | When the baby turns his head to one side, the arm on that side is extended straight out, while the other arm is bent at the elbow. It's like a sword fighting pose. | At around 5-7 months. |
Things mothers can do when their baby is fussy
First, remember that this is normal. There is no need to worry about your baby's fussiness. Some babies will wake up and go back to sleep on their own. Other babies may have difficulty being soothed.
If your baby's twitching is disrupting your sleep, there are a few simple things you can do.
- Place the baby carefully: When placing the baby in the crib, gently place the baby horizontally, keeping the entire body at the same level, without tilting the head back.
- Keep it close to your body: Lower the baby as close to your body as possible. Remove your hands as soon as the baby's body touches the mattress.
- Swaddling: Swaddling your baby in a swaddling cloth will help prevent his arms from flailing around. This will help your baby feel secure and help him sleep better. But remember, when swaddling, always put your baby on their back to sleep . This is very important to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
When should we talk to a doctor about this?
It's okay if your baby doesn't startle at every sound or light. However, if you notice any of the following, it's important to talk to your doctor about it.
- If the Moro reaction is absent at all: If the baby does not show this reaction at all in the first few weeks after birth, it may be due to a birth injury, a problem with the brain or nervous system, or muscle weakness.
- If the reaction is only on one side (Asymmetrical): If the baby only extends one arm when kicking, instead of using both arms, it may be due to damage to a nerve on the other side, such as a broken collarbone.
- If the reaction persists after 6 months: If the baby's twitching doesn't go away after 6 months, it could be a sign of a delay in the development of motor skills or a condition such as cerebral palsy. Some studies have shown a link between the persistent Moro reaction and conditions such as autism and ADHD.
- Exaggerated: If your baby overreacts to even the smallest thing, it could be a rare condition called `hyperekplexia`.
Moro reaction? Or infantile spasms?
This is very important. Infantile spasms are a rare form of epilepsy. They look very similar to Moro seizures. However, they are a serious condition that can affect a baby's development. See this table to learn the difference between the two.
| Characteristic | Moro Reflex | Infantile Spasms |
|---|---|---|
| Starting age | Present from birth. | Usually starts between 3 months and a year. |
| Cause of the incident | A sudden sound, light, or feeling like you're about to fall. | There is usually no specific cause. It is most often seen upon waking from sleep. |
| How it happens | It is a single action that happens only once. | A series/cluster of flashes lasting a few seconds, one after the other . |
| Post-condition | The baby will return to normal after being comforted. | After the stroke, the baby may feel uncomfortable, cry, or whimper. |
| Reappearance | It disappears after 6 months and does not reappear. | If the Moro reaction disappears and then twitching starts again weeks/months later, it is a very dangerous sign. |
Very important: If your baby has a cluster of seizures, or if the Moro reflex seems to have disappeared and started again, see your pediatrician immediately without delay . Don't hesitate to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) if necessary.
Take-Home Message
- The Moro reflex is a completely normal and healthy characteristic of newborn babies.
- This usually goes away by the time the baby is 6 months old.
- By swaddling your baby properly, you can reduce the disruption to sleep caused by this shaking.
- If your baby doesn't have this reaction at all, if it's only on one side, or if it's still there after 6 months, talk to your doctor about it.
- If the seizures come in clusters or if a seizure that has gone away reappears, seek medical advice immediately as it could be a sign of a serious condition such as infantile spasms.
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