Your baby is finally asleep and you try to put it down. But as soon as you lay him on his back, he flinches and is suddenly woken up? Does your sleeping child suddenly flinch during the night and is wide awake? The reason for this may be an early childhood reflex, the so-called Moro reflex.
What is the Moro reflex?
The Moro reflex is one of the early infant reflexes that are triggered in newborns. In this involuntary reflex, children abruptly spread their arms, spread their fingers and open their mouths, for example when lying down quickly on their back or when startled. They then pull their arms and hands together again and make a fist.
Even at birth, the Moro reflex is vital for a child's survival, as it enables the first breath, for example, and helps to open the windpipe if the baby is in danger of suffocating. Even if a child is stimulated by sudden movements or noises, it spreads its arms and legs and pulls them back together again. This behavior is intended to protect the child by helping it regain its balance.
However, this reflex is not always helpful and can cause your baby to be restless or stressed. This can lead to problems when falling asleep in particular, as the child repeatedly pulls itself out of sleep due to the Moro reflex.
Movement and confinement against the Moro reflex
Movement and confinement can help to calm the Moro reflex in your newborn, as they mimic similar sensations to those experienced in the womb. During pregnancy, the baby was surrounded by the womb in the mother's body, which gave it a certain tightness and confinement. The baby was also in constant motion as the mother moved and the movements were transferred to the baby.
After birth, it suddenly lacks the confinement and limitation and has to adapt to the new environment. The Moro reflex is a natural reaction to sudden changes or stimuli that often occur in newborns. When the baby shows the reflex, it often feels insecure and anxious.
Through the use of Baby Hammock parents can offer the baby a similar closeness and confinement as it experienced in the womb. The gentle movement of the Baby Hammock mimics the movements in the womb. This allows your child to adapt better to its environment and learn to control its reactions. It becomes calmer and more relaxed and finds it easier to fall asleep.
The Moro reflex is natural and disappears by itself
It is important to emphasize that the Moro reflex is a natural and important part of your baby's physical development. It should not be suppressed, but supported through movement and playful activities. The early infant reflex occurs in the first months of life and usually disappears during the first year of life as the baby's nervous system and senses develop and the ability to self-regulate increases. Overall, it can be said that movement is of great importance for newborns and that Baby Hammock offer a wonderful opportunity to integrate this movement into everyday life and support the child in a playful way.
