Reasons why newborns startle while sleeping

If a newborn baby shows signs of being startled while sleeping, parents must pay attention. There are many reasons for this situation in children. It may be that the child's nervous system is not fully developed, which is a conditioned reflex. In addition, if the child has some subconscious insecurity, for example, the room is too hot or too cold, the child is hungry, or the child is too full, etc., such behavior may occur.

1. From "instinctive defense"

It's not just newborn babies, adults too. Sudden sounds and physical contact will make us startle, and we will subconsciously wave our hands to protect ourselves. This is because humans have evolved to resist the harm of large carnivores. Nature has left this instinctive defensive awareness in everyone's consciousness forever.

2. Incomplete development of the nervous system

The nerve fibers of a newborn baby cannot fully form certain reaction conditions and are not fully developed, so the baby's limbs will twitch after being stimulated by a little sound. This is because the stimulation received by the baby cannot be transmitted to the brain for judgment like that of an adult, which causes shaking of the limbs. Babies aged 0-4 months will experience startle phenomena. As the baby's nervous system gradually develops, this startle phenomenon will disappear before the baby is 5 months old.

3. Subconscious insecurity

The baby's insecurity of leaving the mother's body has not yet fully adapted to leaving the mother's body, and the subconscious insecurity will be expressed through "startling".

How to deal with baby startles

1. Parents can use a large bath towel or a thin blanket to roll it into a barrel shape, and then place it around the baby's body to form a small "bird's nest" to protect the baby's body. When the baby feels safe, he or she will not be easily startled.

2. If the weather is cold, you can tuck the baby into the side of the body when the baby is sleeping. Tuck it in tightly to make the baby feel safe.

3. When the baby starts to jump, parents should gently press any part of the baby's body, or pat it gently and whisper to comfort it, the child will calm down quickly.