The Moro Reflex

From the time a baby is born until they are four to six months old, they have something called the
Moro Reflex, also known as the startle reflex. This reflex causes the baby to scare her/himself awake and causes me to giggle myself stupid. It's usually funny, until it's 3AM and you're trying to sleep. The baby has the sensation of falling, causing them to wake up. The baby will throw their arms and legs out, spread-eagle, and arch their back, then curl back up into a ball. Loud noises and sudden movements can also trigger the Moro Reflex. Don't freak out, Mom! This is one of baby's first defense mechanisms. I know when I first experienced it, I thought something had bitten her. It happened a few more times, and then I googled it. Turns out, it's completely normal. Although some baby's have this more than others, Dahlia would always scare herself awake. The only real remedy for this is swaddling. Thankfully, they grow out of it!