Newborn startle reflex and eye movements

[HopefulRose]

First time mum here, long time reader. My newborn has a very exaggerated startle reflex that doesn't appear to be just linked to sleep. If he hears something loud or there is a sudden movement, he does this adorable little jazz hands thing. Is this normal? And will it pass? He's three weeks old so still diddy.

The second thing that worries me a bit is his crazy eye movements when he's asleep, his eyes are open sometimes and they move around in a repetitive motion. Any other experiences of this?

All sounds pretty normal to me! The eye movements are when baby is in REM sleep are they not? And the Moro reflex is very normal.

If you are very concerned you can ask your health visitor, midwife or GP for advice.

The startle reflex can last weeks from. Memory the gp checked for it at the 6 week check up. The eyes Is rapid eye movement and normal but obviously if you are worried speak to your HV. Do you swaddle your baby that can help with starle reflex.

Focus comes in from 6, weeks

Thanks everyone. No we haven’t been swaddling but might be worth doing if it’ll help with the reflex, bless him.

I mean try it good luck