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What can happen to an infant if the Moro (startle) reflex is overstimulated?

If an infant is startled too much or is scared too much, what can happen? I have seen old film of people tossing their babies into the air and catching them; can this overstimulate the Moro, or startle reflex? What, if any bad effects can this have on an infant? Is overstimulation of the Moro reflex dangerous?

Public Comments

1. Never have heard of any problems due to that. I never thought about that. I will be reading your answers close also.

2. I dont know if "overstimulation of the moro reflex" is dangerous but I do know that throwing your baby in the air and catching them is..it can cause SIDS..I'll also be watching the answers to the question closely!

3. The Moro reflex is outgrown before people start tossing babies in the air. It is outgrown around 4 months. Anyone tossing a newborn around is risking their child's life.

Tossing an older baby and causing fear instead of joy is wrong. Babies usually have no fear of their parents. So a parent teaching a baby fear will undermine the babies trust of their parents.

4. I don't know of any medical risks. I know personally that my children hated being startled when they were that young. Having a baby who is startled and then is scared as a result is not a pleasant thing. If it is triggered repeatedly I would imagine it could lead to a very fussy angry baby that is hard to soothe.

5. Babies outgrow the startle reflex by the time they are a few months old. I don't think you can overstimulate the reflex, its just a natural occurence. I don't recommend throwing a small baby up in the air though, lol!