Those sudden flails, tiny finger grips, and rooting mouth movements can look dramatic in the early weeks. Don’t worry. Most of these are normal newborn reflexes. They’re automatic responses that protect your baby, help them feed, and bridge the gap while their brain and muscles mature. Understanding them can also explain evening fussiness, wind and colic-like crying, and help you settle your baby with more confidence.
What Are Newborn Reflexes?
Reflexes are built-in reactions. Your baby doesn’t choose them; their body responds automatically. They’re especially strong in the first months while the nervous system develops. As control improves, these reflexes fade and are replaced by smoother, voluntary movements.
Why reflexes matter:
- Protection: Startling helps alert carers to sudden changes.
- Feeding: Rooting and sucking help babies find and feed at the breast or bottle.
- Bonding & development: Grasping and stepping encourage touch, carrying and early practice with movement.
They can also impact settling. A strong startle at bedtime, for example, can wake an overtired baby and increase air-swallowing, leading to wind and more fussing.
The Moro (Startle) Reflex
What it looks like:
A sudden movement or sound triggers a flail: arms fling out, hands open, then arms pull back in. Your baby may cry, then settle again.
Common triggers:
A quick transfer to the cot, a door closing, a sibling’s laugh, light changes, or simply the shift from your warm chest to a cool mattress.
When it fades:
Usually by 4–6 months (with a wide normal range).
Why it matters for evenings:
Late in the day, babies are often overtired and have a day’s worth of feeds on board. A big startle can spark crying, extra gulping and more wind, which then makes settling harder, especially during the witching hour.
Practical tips
- Containment: Use a snug swaddle or arms-in sleeping bag (stop swaddling with arms in when baby shows signs of rolling).
- White noise: A steady, low sound can mask sudden household noises.
- Slow transfers: Keep your baby close to your chest and lower them gradually. Hold their hands to midline (near the chest) as you slowly lower their feet first, followed by their bottom and then their head.
- Dim the room: Lower light reduces overstimulation and startle triggers.
Learn step-by-step burping positions to release swallowed air: burp a baby. For tummy comfort ideas, see our blog on relieving trapped wind.
Feeding Reflexes That Help (and Sometimes Hinder) Settling
Rooting Reflex
Stroke your baby’s cheek and they’ll turn their head and open their mouth. It’s a clever way to find the nipple or teat. In the evenings, frequent rooting can be part of cluster feeding. Many parents worry it means “no milk”—often it simply means baby wants to tank up before night sleep.
Sucking Reflex
Newborns have an automatic suck–swallow–breathe pattern. It supports feeding and can be soothing. Some families use a dummy/pacifier for comfort; if you do, follow safe-sleep guidance and watch feeding cues so comfort sucking doesn’t replace needed feeds.
Grasp Reflex
Place a finger in your baby’s palm and they’ll curl their fingers around it. It’s lovely for bonding. In sleep, clenched fists can sometimes catch on fabric; hands-to-midline settling and swaddles/sleeping bags can help until rolling begins.
Stepping & Tonic Neck (“Fencing”) Reflexes
Hold your baby upright with feet touching a surface and you’ll see stepping motions. Turn their head to one side and they may extend the same-side arm (the fencing or tonic neck reflex). These are normal, temporary patterns that look quirky but are part of development.
Reflexes, Wind & Colic—How They Connect
- Startles → air-swallowing. A strong startle can lead to big gulps of air, especially if baby cries hard or feeds quickly afterwards.
- Cluster feeds → more wind. Rapid evening feeds can mean extra air and a fuller tummy.
- Overstimulation → overtiredness. Tired babies cry more, swallow more air, and may struggle to release wind.
Gentle prevention helps:
- Burp during and after feeds in different positions.
- Try paced bottle feeding and check teat flow; adjust breastfeeding latch/position.
- Keep baby upright 20–30 minutes after feeds to reduce wind build-up.
- Add tummy massage and bicycle legs between feeds for comfort.
Explore relieve trapped wind for massage tips and positions.
Simple Ways to Reduce Startle-Triggered Meltdowns
1. Swaddle or arms-in sleeping bag
Gives gentle containment and reduces flails. Always stop swaddling or use an arms-out sleeping bag once rolling starts and follow safe-sleep guidance.
2. White noise, low and steady
Keeps the environment predictable. Avoid loud or changing sounds at bedtime.
3. Slow, supported transfers
Lower by stages: chest to forearm, forearm to mattress. Begin with lowering their feet down onto the mattress first, followed by their bottom and then head. Place one hand gently on their chest to provide a sense of security, before slowly removing your hand and quietly backing away.
4. Evening wind-down
Dim lights, limit visitors, move to a quiet room, and keep voices soft. Predictability beats perfection.
5. Burp breaks
Pause mid-feed and after. Rotate positions—over the shoulder, lap sit, and tummy-down across your knees—to free different gas pockets. See burp a baby.
6. Tummy comfort between feeds
Short, clockwise tummy circles with warm hands; add bicycle legs and brief knees-to-tummy holds. More ideas: relieve trapped wind.
7. Upright cuddles after feeds
Hold your baby upright for 20–30 minutes after a feed to reduce reflux-like grizzles and wind build-up.
8. Skin-to-skin & carrier time
Contact helps regulate breathing, temperature and heart rate—often reducing startles and fussing.
Quick Reference: When Reflexes Usually Fade
(Every baby is different. These are typical ranges.)
- Moro/startle: ~4–6 months
- Rooting: ~4 months
- Primitive sucking pattern: integrates as feeding matures in the first months
- Palmar grasp (hands): ~3–4 months (plantar/feet later)
- Stepping: ~2 months
- Tonic neck (“fencing”): ~5–7 months
- Babinski (toe fan): normal in infancy; integrates over time
If you’re wondering whether evening crying is more than startle + wind, read signs your baby might have colic.
Optional: Gentle Herbal Support
Some families include Infants’ Friend Colic & Wind Oral Liquid in their soothing toolkit. It contains ingredients traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to help relieve wind, bloating and mild indigestion in babies. It’s alcohol-free and sugar-free, and suitable from birth when used as directed.
- Learn about Colic & Wind Oral Liquid
- See how to use Infants’ Friend for dosing by age and mixing tips
AUST L 367810. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
When to Seek Advice
Contact your GP or child health nurse if you notice:
- Poor feeding or weight gain, fewer than 6 wet nappies/day after day 5
- Green/bilious vomit, persistent blood or mucus in stools
- Repeated projectile vomiting, fever, or baby is very lethargic
- Movements that are asymmetric, seem unusual for age, or a persistent strong startle beyond typical timeframes
Have a question about the product? Contact us.
Final Thoughts
Reflexes are a reassuring sign that your baby’s nervous system is doing its job. As these early patterns fade, you’ll see smoother, more controlled movements—and usually calmer evenings. In the meantime, gentle containment, predictable routines, good burping, and simple tummy comfort techniques can make a noticeable difference. You’re doing a great job, even on the noisy nights.
