Babies are often shocked often make parents feel worried. Moreover, if the baby is also surprised when he is sleeping. However, you don't need to worry, because this condition is common in babies. In addition, there are several ways you can do to reduce the shock in the baby.
When the baby is startled, he will appear to raise his arms suddenly, then a few moments later his hands return to the sides of the body. This will last until the baby is 3-4 months old, but there is also something that happens until the baby is 6 months old.
This condition shows that the baby is in a normal state which describes the Moro reflex, which is a reflex that is commonly owned by babies. In fact, doctors or medical personnel generally perform a Moro reflex test on newborns.
Moro Reflex Examination
To perform the Moro reflex test, the doctor will first place the baby in a soft and comfortable place.
After that, the baby's head will be lifted with the baby's body still lying on the bed. Furthermore, the baby's head was slightly dropped and immediately caught again. In normal babies, the baby's hands immediately lift when the baby is startled.
If during the test the baby does not show normal reflexes, this may indicate that the baby has certain health problems.
If the baby only raises one hand during the Moro reflex test, this may indicate that the baby has a nerve injury or a fractured shoulder.
Meanwhile, if the baby does not respond on both sides of the body, the doctor will examine the baby's condition further. There is a possibility that the baby is experiencing something more serious, namely disorders of the spine or problems with the brain.
Tips for Babies Not Often Surprised
The Moro reflex is just one of many normal reflexes experienced by babies. Although the Moro reflex indicates that the baby is healthy and normal, some parents may feel uneasy if the baby is often startled.
Babies who are often surprised will make it difficult to sleep. In fact, even in a state of sleep the baby can wake up due to the effects of surprise. As a result, the baby's sleep quality is not good and of course it is bad for his health. So that this does not happen, you can do the following tips:
Gently swaddle the baby
To reduce the baby's frequent shock, you can swaddle the baby. A swaddled body will make the baby feel as comfortable as when he was in the womb. With comfort like in the womb, the baby will sleep longer.
When swaddling, use a soft cloth that is not too thick, but wide enough. Lay the fabric on the bed with one end folded inward. Place the baby on the cloth, then wrap the body. Keep the neck and head open.
Placing the baby near the parents
In order for the baby to remain comfortable, when he is about to start sleeping, try to keep his body close to the mother's body. Mothers can also hold or hold the baby until he falls asleep.
When the baby is asleep, place it on the crib slowly until it touches the bed. Avoid making fast movements or sudden jerks that can startle the baby.
A study also suggests that parents should hold the baby, and soothe with a soft voice when the baby seems often startled. This is because the shock experienced by the baby may represent fear or discomfort.
As you get older, your baby's movements start to change. The movements are more and more directed, so that there are almost no more jerking movements. At the age of 4 or 6 months, generally the baby's movements are often startled has decreased or even disappeared.
If after 6 months, the baby is still often shocked or the feeling of shock is getting more frequent, immediately take your little one to the pediatrician so that the examination and treatment can be carried out appropriately according to the cause.
