5 weeks old.. flailing arms jumpy and petrified?!

[Tch1]

My baby Is 5 weeks old and has always slept in a Moses basket however As of the last week as soon as I lay her in the basket her arms fly out open at her side really tense with her firsts scrunched and she looks really petrified. She had also become really jumpy. I've tried to calm her but she really howls like never before and it breaks my heart! Any advice on what is causing this / how it can be avoided or even how to soothe her quicker?? I'm getting desperate Its so awful to see her like that!

It just normal startle reflex. . .
Maybe wrap her up a bit!?

Totally normal, startle reflex.
Try swaddling?

As pp. Try swaddling as it stops the arms from flailing around.

Ooh you are making me broody, I love it when they do that.
It sounds like a normal reflex. Have you tried swaddling her?

My little girl did that I had to lower her down while still holding her against my chest and then slowly remove physical contact. It became an art lol

She won't let me swaddle her arms she cries about that too.. she sleeps with them above her head! How long does this last? I'm so new it kills me to see!!

My son does this and he's 12 weeks, he's stopped doing it as much now but like someone else said, lying then down close to your chest and only letting go when there led down does make it easier x

It's the morrow reflex and perfectly normal.
As people have said try swaddling before you lay her down so she feels secure.

Completely normal. Try the 'love to dream' swaddle which allows them to have their arms up, but makes them feel secure. Mine used to startle and fought a traditional swaddle, but he loves his arms up swaddle now. Naps much longer in it too.

It's called the Moro reflex and it's totally normal. Don't worry I know everything is worrying when you have a newborn, but she isn't scared so don't feel guilty.

Yep as above completely normal although I noticed it more prominently with ds3.
There is a way to lie them down to help them not throw their arms out. I will check but I think it's make sure head down first the feet last but someone may correct which way!

There are a few ways of swaddling so the arms stay up, I'll see if I can find something on google for you.

This is what we used to do, and it's perfect.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=4xm5wjqr0vA&itct=CBIQpDAYACITCM7ouJKSpdUCFYWlWAodRUYAJzIHcmVsYXRlZEjltqTKq_3Uzi4%3D

Leaves the legs free (good for hips) and allows arms to stay up in the natural cactus position.

Oh yeah if you could please that would be brilliant!! Thank you :)

CWG17... thank you!! I will get some stretchy fabric and give it a go

Aw I'd forgotten about that! ...but recognised your description right away OP Yes totally normal as per everyone's replies.

No advice as my baby swaddled, but i do know how you feel, she did the same during daytime naps and it freaked me out so much to start with, and the twitch they get while asleep too, was terrified something was wrong, but she did grow out of it

PS congratulations on your baby :-)

Aw I remember this.

My boy had an exaggerated Moro reflex. If you google it I'm sure there are videos. It was obviously quite distressing for him in the moment but also quite amusing to watch once I got used to them.