What is the Moro Reflex?
The Moro Reflex, also known as a startle response, is a normal reflex present in newborns. When it happens, baby will have a “startled” look and fling his/her arms out sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed. This reflex acts as a primitive fight or flight reaction and is usually triggered by such events as an unexpected noise, a sudden change in lighting or a change in the position of baby’s head. However, many times babies exhibit this reflex for no apparent reason. One theory is that without the feeling of full-body support that is created by the fluid in the womb, they sometimes experience the sensation of falling and so startle awake. By providing an environment that mimics the sensation of being in the womb, swaddling can greatly reduce or eliminate this response, thereby increasing the quality and duration of sleep for both babies and parents!
