## Moro reflex
The **Moro reflex**, also called the **startle reflex**, is a normal involuntary response in newborns. A sudden noise, movement, or sensation of the head moving backward may cause the baby to:
- Suddenly extend and spread the arms and fingers.
- Briefly extend the neck and sometimes legs.
- Bring the arms back toward the chest.
- Cry, although crying is not always present.
It is usually present at birth, may be strongest during the first month, and gradually disappears as the nervous system matures—typically by about **4–6 months**.
### When to contact a doctor
Ask your pediatrician if:
- The reflex is completely absent, especially on one side.
- The response is clearly asymmetric.
- It continues beyond about 6 months.
- The baby has other concerns such as unusual stiffness, floppiness, seizures, poor feeding, or developmental problems.
Do **not** deliberately drop or jerk your baby to test it. Always support the head and neck; a pediatrician can assess the reflex safely.
