Why does my infant get startled so easily?

“The startling reflex, known to physicians as the Moro reflex, is usually caused when your baby’s head changes position or falls back abruptly, or when she hears a loud or unusual noise,” explains Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, a family physician and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year.

What causes exaggerated startle reflex in babies?

Hyperekplexia is a rare hereditary, neurological disorder that may affect infants as newborns (neonatal) or prior to birth (in utero). It may also affect children and adults. Individuals with this disorder have an excessive startle reaction (eye blinking or body spasms) to sudden unexpected noise, movement, or touch.

What causes a newborn to be jumpy?

Newborns have an immature nervous system. The pathways that carry the signals from the brain to the parts of the body aren’t yet fully developed, so their movements can appear jerky and twitchy. The jerking and twitching will become less frequent after the first few weeks of life as the baby’s nervous system matures.

Is it normal for newborns to be jumpy?

Normal Jitters or Trembling when Crying: Jitters or trembling of the arms and legs during crying is normal in newborns. It should stop by 1 to 2 months of age. If your baby is jittery when not crying, it could be abnormal.

How can I reduce my baby’s startle reflex?

Treatments for moro reflex

  1. Dimming the lights.
  2. Limiting loud noises.
  3. Using a white noise machine while babies are sleeping.
  4. Avoiding sudden movements while nursing or feeding with bottles.
  5. Moving slowly and purposefully when changing a baby’s position or location.

How do I get my baby to stop startling awake?

Ways to Help Your Baby Avoid Startling From the Moro Reflex

  1. Reduce outside triggers. Try to keep lights dim or at an even intensity.
  2. Hold your baby close to your body as you lower them down into their crib. The more that your baby feels protected, the less likely they will startle.
  3. Swaddle your baby.

What is a hyperactive Moro reflex?

The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, refers to an involuntary motor response that infants develop shortly after birth. A Moro reflex may involve the infant suddenly splaying their arms and moving their legs before bringing their arms in front of their body.

How do I know if my baby has neurological problems?

There are a variety of neurological disorders, so your baby can have many symptoms….These could be symptoms like:

  • Fussiness.
  • Decreased level of consciousness.
  • Abnormal movements.
  • Feeding difficulty.
  • Changes in body temperature.
  • Rapid changes in head size and tense soft spot.
  • Changes in muscle tone (either high or low)

Why is my 2 month old so jumpy?

This is an involuntary startle response called the Moro reflex. Your baby does this reflexively in response to being startled. It’s something that newborn babies do and then stop doing within a couple of months.

How can I help my baby with strong startle reflex?

Is exaggerated Moro reflex normal?

Although the Moro reflex is a good sign in newborn babies, some babies have an overactive or exaggerated Moro reflex that can sometimes interfere with sleep. In very rare cases, a severe Moro reflex may be a sign of hyperekplexia, an inherited neurological condition.