Moro reflex is when the baby’s head and body fall back and the arms open to the sides and return to a hugging position across the body. This reflex is ingrained in your baby’s makeup and designed to help her survive.
Unfortunately this reflex occurs when a baby sleeps on their back. Being swaddled can help cut down awakenings due to the reflex and help your newborn sleep better.
Babies Should Sleep on their Backs
With the back to sleep initiative to help decrease the amount of infant deaths due to SIDS, a baby should be laid to sleep on their back. The AAP even believes swaddling will help prevent SIDS.
If you newborn does not like being swaddled completely, swaddling only the bottom half of your newborns body may be an option. This will provide some comfort and mimic the safety of being in the womb. One again every baby is different. After arriving home with your newborn, practice swaddling and observe whether your baby likes being this way. If so continue to swaddle him and possibly help him sleep better!
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