The Moro reflex is the cause of your newborn baby to sleep with his arms above his head. This reflex, commonly referred to as the “startle reflex”, disappears by 6 months of age. It occurs when light or noise startles your baby, even if the noise is not enough to fully wake the baby.
Arm Jerks Or Flailing Arms While Sleeping
Don't worry if you spot your little one jolting their arms when they're asleep, this is a sign of the Moro reflex or startle reflex, which all babies are born with.
They are all asleep with their arms up in the air. It is the natural sleeping position for babies. The AAP did a study on swaddling, and they found that it helps babies sleep longer. They sleep even longer than that if they have access to their hands.
The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, refers to an involuntary motor response that infants develop shortly after birth. A Moro reflex may involve the infant suddenly splaying their arms and moving their legs before bringing their arms in front of their body.
It's Just Part Of Being An Infant
So really, when your baby sleeps with their arms up it's a testament to the fact that your little one is still in their infancy. “As long as you're practicing safe sleeping measures, there is no real reason to worry about their arms up in the air during sleep,” says Dr. Mantravadi.
White noise reduces the risk of SIDS.
A relatively famous study (famous if you read a lot about baby sleep, so honestly you should be a little proud if you haven't heard of it) showed that babies had a significant reduction in the risk of SIDS if they had a fan in their room.
However, sleeping this way could actually indicate that you aren't breathing as easily as you should be. "Some people sleep with their arms above their heads, as it's a natural way of opening up the lungs," Brantner says.
Goodstein said, when babies sleep in the same room as their parents, the background sounds or stirrings prevent very deep sleep and that helps keeps the babies safe. Room sharing also makes breast-feeding easier, which is protective against SIDS.
Your baby still remembers sleeping in your womb for nine months which is a snug and safe place. It's where your baby first listened to your heartbeat. So when napping in your arms or on your chest, that same reassuring sleep association is being triggered. Babies also like the warmth and closeness of being held.
First, consider your baby's age. While some babies are able to recognize their names as early as 4 to 6 months, most should reach this point consistently by 7 to 9 months. Second, take note of consistency. Your little one should turn to look at you or vocalize (make noises) when you say their name.
Starfish sleepers rest on their backs with their arms and legs splayed out to the sides. This position can be difficult on the back, so experts recommend sleeping with a pillow under the knees. Starfish sleepers are good listeners who are shy but always willing to help.
You should stop swaddling your baby when he starts attempting to roll over. Many babies start working on this move at about 2 months old. Swaddling once your baby can roll over may increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation.
Studies have found that the side sleep position is unstable and increases the chance that infants will roll onto their stomachs7—the sleep position associated with the highest SIDS risk. The AAP Task Force recommends that infants be placed wholly on their backs to sleep—for naps and at night.
It may be because babies don't sleep as deeply when they have a pacifier, which helps wake them up if they're having trouble breathing. A pacifier also keeps the tongue forward in the mouth, so it can't block the airway.
Prone sleeping is the single most important risk factor for SIDS. If a baby is swaddled, and placed prone to sleep, that infant has no ability to try to lift or turn his/her head to avoid a potentially dangerous situation where the face is buried in bedding.
Prevention. There's no guaranteed way to prevent SIDS , but you can help your baby sleep more safely by following these tips: Back to sleep. Place your baby to sleep on his or her back, rather than on the stomach or side, every time you — or anyone else — put the baby to sleep for the first year of life.
Months 5 and 6: By the end of month 5, most babies can raise their chest and head with their arms.
Sleeping Curled Up Reminds Them of the Womb
If they're still young, they may have spent more time curled up inside than in the real world so far. Muscle memory is a real thing, and this frog-like pose can be attributed to the fact they were positioned with their knees tucked up inside a belly for nine months.
Age Limits: The Co-Sleeper® and bassinet modes are only for an infant up to approximately 5 months in age or when the child begins to push up on hands and knees, whichever occurs first.
Overheating may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies one month to one year of age. Many experts recommend that the temperature in the room where a baby's sleeps be kept between 68–72°F (20–22.2°C).
Babies need to be comfortably warm. If they are just starting to get too warm or too cold they will often get fussy. Keep baby nearby to parents and caregivers, so they may respond and check on baby if baby becomes fussy.
Generally speaking, a two-piece cotton PJ set or footed onesie plus a muslin swaddle should suffice. However, this rule is just the tip of the iceberg. You'll also need to judge if this generalization applies to your baby's sleeping environment.
The yearner:People who sleep on their side with arms stretched in front of them. Soldier:Lying on your back with both arms locked at your sides. Freefall:When you lie on your stomach with your head turned to one side and arms hugging the pillow.