06/09/2026
This is probably controversial because swaddling is cute and popular but hear me out.
Swaddling can a good soothing tool, but when used too long, too often, or too tightly, it can actually interfere with your baby's neurological development! 😱
The moro reflex, also called the startle reflex, is a primitive reflex that is initiated in utero. Its job is to keep baby alive by startling the baby. This reflex should integrate (go away) as the baby's nervous system matures and should be gone by 4-6 months old. We aren’t meant to carry this reflex with us forever (unlike a patellar reflex).
Primitive reflexes, like the moro/startle reflex, integrate ("go away") with movement. When we swaddle baby, we are restricting movement! This can delay milestones and neurodevelopment, and can show up as:
* Anxiety
* ADD/ADHD
* Easily startled
* Hypervigilance
* Sleep problems
And more.
In fact, kids with neurodevelopmental disorders have significantly higher incidences of retained primitive reflexes!
This doesn’t mean something is “wrong,” just that the system is slower to develop and the sooner we find that, the sooner we can help the nervous system development optimally and get the 🧠 to turn the light on.
There are ways to test if this reflex (and other primitive reflexes) has been retained, and the sooner you find that, the sooner we can help the nervous system heal and progress optimally 🫶🏻
Neurologically focused chiropractic care is a gentle, safe way to dive into these areas for newborns, infants, toddlers, and older 🩷 by using light touch adjustments and some at home homework, we can remove stress from the nervous system and help the brainstem, 🧠, and nervous system begin to connect optimally 🌿