The Moro reflex is an innate startle reflex. When something startles your baby, such as a loud noise or the feeling of falling, they fling their arms out, spread their fingers and then pull their arms back in toward their body. They often cry as they do it. The reflex is a good sign of a healthy nervous system. It gets weaker over the first months of life and has usually disappeared by around six months.
What happens during the Moro reflex
It is also called the embrace reflex because it happens in two steps:
- Your baby suddenly stretches their arms out to the sides and opens their hands. Their head often tips back a little.
- Then they bring their arms back in front of their chest, as if trying to hold on to something. Many babies start to cry at this moment.
It is set off by sudden stimuli: a bang, bright light, a quick touch or the feeling of tipping backward. That is exactly what often happens when you lower your baby from your arms into bed and their head sinks down a little.
When does the Moro reflex go away?
The reflex is already there at birth. It starts getting weaker from the third month, and by six months it has disappeared completely in most babies. Your pediatrician also checks it at the U check-ups (German pediatric check-ups).
Why the Moro reflex disrupts sleep
Many babies jerk or startle, especially as they fall asleep and during light sleep phases. The reflex then wakes them up, even though they are actually tired. This can happen again and again: your baby falls asleep in your arms, wakes up when you put them down and needs a while to settle again. It is exhausting for you, and completely normal for your baby.
What helps your baby fall asleep
Lay your baby down slowly. Lower your baby feet first, then their bottom, and their head last. Leave your hand on their tummy or chest for a moment until they are breathing calmly.
Keep things calm around your baby. Dim light and steady sounds make sudden stimuli less likely.
Snugness and support. It was snug and warm in the womb. Many babies calm down when something surrounds them, for example in a baby wrap or when they are swaddled.
Steady movement. For nine months, your baby moved along with every movement you made. Gentle, steady rocking feels familiar to them and helps many babies drift off to sleep more calmly.
Swaddling: how to do it safely
When you swaddle, you wrap your baby loosely in a cloth or a swaddle sack so that their arms stay close to their body. This can dampen the Moro reflex. Keep three things in mind:
- Your baby's legs must be able to bend freely. Legs wrapped straight are bad for the hips.
- A swaddled baby always sleeps on their back.
- As soon as your baby tries to roll over, stop swaddling.
The baby hammock for daytime naps
For daytime naps, many parents lay their baby in a baby hammock. The hammock surrounds your baby, and they know the gentle up-and-down motion from the womb. The baby hammock is meant for daytime naps while you stay nearby.
When to see your pediatrician
Talk to your pediatrician if
- your baby shows the reflex on one side only, moving just one arm,
- the reflex doesn't appear at all in your newborn,
- it is still clearly visible after six months.
Usually it is nothing serious. But a quick examination will give you a clear answer.
Frequently asked questions about the Moro reflex
When is the Moro reflex over?
It gets weaker from the third month and has disappeared in most babies by six months.
Is the Moro reflex bad for my baby?
No. It is part of normal development and shows that your baby's nervous system responds well.
Does swaddling help with the Moro reflex?
Swaddling can dampen it because the arms stay close to the body. What matters is free legs, sleeping on the back and stopping as soon as your baby wants to roll over.
Why does my baby wake up when I put them down?
Often, the feeling of sinking backward sets off the Moro reflex. Lay your baby down slowly, feet first and head last, and leave your hand on their body for a moment.
What does a one-sided Moro reflex mean?
If your baby moves only one arm during the Moro reflex, have your pediatrician take a look. They can find out the cause.
