Moron’s Reflection In Babies – What Is It?

The reflection of Moron, or flicker reflection, is one of the first reflexes a person has. However, as the child begins to develop this reflex, sometimes the parents become confused. Sometimes it even causes concern when the baby opens his arms with a jerk and becomes stiff.

The first thing you should know is that there is nothing wrong with your baby when it does so. It’s just a involuntary reflex that disappears when the baby is about 4-5 months old.

So this time, we will tell you more about this phenomenon called the reflection of Moro so that you can get answers to your possible questions.

Why is it called the reflection of Moron?

The Moro reflector, or flicker reflector, gets its name from an Austrian pediatrician who examined it in the early 20th century, and his name was Ernst Moro. A reflex is defined as an  instinctive reaction that occurs when a child believes it does not have a safe spot or support, or when it changes position abruptly.

A reflection of Moro can also be seen when the  baby hears a sudden sound or when he realizes he is falling backwards. It reflects the development of the baby’s central nervous system.

How, when and why?

In the first months, the baby’s central nervous system (and other parts) are constantly evolving. It is common to see many changes, such as crying or just this reflection of Moron.  It is the case that involuntary reflexes indicate that the baby is developing in a normal way.

These types of reflexes are studied and examined by doctors and specialized paediatricians. They are able to confirm whether the central nervous system in the baby is developing well or not.

To assess this, they put the baby in a certain position to trick its brain into giving the reaction they want to look at.

In order to confirm or rule out a reflection of Moron in a baby, all that is needed is a simple experiment. At the doctor’s visit, the pediatrician puts the baby on a soft pillow, takes it in the head’s hands, and then quickly simulates dropping it. He immediately takes the baby back under control to prevent him from falling on the pillow.

This is done to make the baby believe that it is out of balance – Moro’s reflector will then be activated automatically. This is the process that a pediatrician wants to look at. However, during the test, care must be taken: the  baby’s body should never be lifted off the pillow, only its head slightly, to give the feeling of falling.

When a baby has to experience it falling, it should jerk. The normal reaction for a baby is to move his arms to the sides so that the palms are up and the fingers are bent.

As the fear evaporates, the baby begins to relax. He then pulls his arm towards his body.

Remember that your baby’s brain is still in development. Sometimes just dreaming can make it feel unbalanced. Sometimes even sneezing makes a reflection of Moro appear. A sudden sound or itching can also cause the baby’s immature central nervous system to react in this way.

For parents, the first time this reflex is seen may cause fear. As the baby stiffens, and as even its skin tone changes due to an increase in blood pressure, this can be a cause for concern. However, there is nothing to worry about, as all of this is a response within the normal development of the baby.

After a baby experiences these 5-6 seconds of horror, it is common for it to cry. It is very important that you make your baby feel safe and that you help them relax so that you can avoid prolonged stress.

It is also important to remember that there are babies who also have the manifestation of a reflection of Moro while asleep in the cradle. They suddenly extend their arms, become stiff, and begin to cry.

How can you identify a flare reflection in your baby?

• Embarrassment visible to the eyes – they are fully open.
• The baby extends his arms with his palms up and his fingers hooked. After a few seconds, the reflex is over and the baby relaxes and the arms return alongside it.

• Sudden crying.

What happens if your baby does not show this reflex?

If your pediatrician finds that your baby does not have a flare reflector, he or she may suspect a nervous system disorder.  He or she may examine the child to make sure there is no hemiplegia, some type of paralysis, or even a fracture of the clavicle. If the reflex is still visible after eight months, a neurological disorder may also be suspected.

Whenever a reflection of Moron is noticeable in your baby, you should try to calm it down. Don’t lift your baby right away, just caress him, and little by little you may notice him relaxing. With you, he will feel safe, and thus he will calm down.

If you believe your child is constantly having a reflection of Moron, you may want to contact your pediatrician. Keep in mind, however, that the  flicker reflection is the primary reflex that indicates the normal development of the neonatal central nervous system. When the baby is about about 4-5 months old, the reflex normally disappears.