SWADDLE
The why:
Babies have a startle reflex (Moro) that goes away by the 3-4 month mark. Swaddling can soothes babies by mimicking the womb; and can also stop babies from waking themselves with their own Moro reflex!!
But don’t feel you have to swaddle your baby: Some babies love it, some babies hate it. Do what works for you.
Some top tips:
Every baby is different — so this advice is general only! And not all baby’s like to be swaddled the same way so listen to your baby’s cues :)
Don’t swaddle if you co-sleep.
Once the startle reflex has integrated (3-4 months) you can leave their arms free as it should no longer be the cause of them waking themselves
Keep the muslin firm but not too tight- allowing for the chest to rise and fall with ease.
And to care for those hip sockets – allow movement through the hips and legs ie; they should be able to bend at the hip with the knees apart.
When to stop? When your bubba can roll is a general guideline (for safety reasons)
Alternatives are sleep suits but similar guidelines are recommended in accordance with SIDS advice.
!!! N/B This advice is general only
Still unsure?
Check in with your local health professional.
Give us a buzz/email!
Admin@NomadChiropractic.com.au
Or call 9969 7503
What’s the Moro Reflex?
The Moro reflex is a primitive reflex that develops between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and disappears at 3–4 months of age as their motor system develops and they no longer need that level of survival/support.
The Moro Reflex is a response to a sudden loss of support and involves three distinct components:
- spreading out the arms, followed by a
- pulling the arms inward; and
- crying.
What’s a Primitive reflex?
A primitive reflex is an automatic movement pattern directed from the brainstem that commence during pregnancy and are fully present when bubba is born. These reflexes help help us with the birthing process, when breast feeding and when things get a little more sophisticated and we begin to grip things etc. They’re the foundation of the child’s nervous system with each reflex serving a neurological function and purpose. If they’re not fully developed or expressed then the child may have trouble regulating processing and interpreting information from one or more of their senses; and it may have a knock on effect to their postural reflexes.
What should I do if I think there’s something not quite right with my baby’s Moro Reflex?
Mother’s intuition is generally the most accurate guide here - but we’d recommend having it assessed by a health practitioner that focuses on paediatric neurology like a chiro/osteo/physio/occupational therapist.
We’ll do a complete neurological and orthopaedic assessment which includes checking their primitive reflexes in conjunction with their motor skill development (milestones). As well as taking a full history to see if there’s been any contributing factor or any underlying cause etc.
If chiropractic subluxations (~joint dysfunction with nerve interference) are found then we may be able to do a few simple and gentle adjsutments to help their nervous system to communicate better.
There are some games/things you can do at home that might help. Our biggest thing is tummy time. Their nervous system needs to be challenged inn order to prime it to grow/develop so have a look at some of our homecare tips for tummy time ideas that might help here.
Again, without assessing your baby ournadvice is only general but if your gut feeling is that something isn’t 100% then it probably isn’t.
Give us a buzz and lets have a chat about it! Ph 9969 7503
As we grow and mature, these reflexes are no longer needed hence they integrate (or go away!). A different part of our brain takes over as it develops and becomes more complex. This is a totally normal (and essential) part of development. All of our Primitive Reflexes should integrate by about 12-18 months of age (ie when we can walk!); but a few of them may be closer to two or three years old.
Got questions? Get in touch!
Love,
Lucy, Olly & Kristin
Nomad Chiropractic Mosman
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Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman has a pregnancy and paediatric focus as a family chiropractic clinic.
Online bookings are available here
Suite 1, 563 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 (Rear entry)
For more baby related information please head to our blog here
Reasons to have your baby assessed by a chiropractor
*Note: Karli Plowright moved back to WA in December 2022 and as such is no longer a practitioner at Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman. All of the practitioners at Nomad Chiropractic are trained in the above.