Nest With Me: Sleep System

As a newborn, you may see your baby involuntarily startle in response to a sudden movement, bright light or loud noise. This is known as the Moro (Startle) Reflex, where your baby will tighten their body, then fling their arms up and flinch, sometimes accompanied with crying. This is your baby’s first attempt to protect themselves from harm, and your little Startler won’t startle as often after six weeks old – usually outgrowing this reflex completely by around 6 months.

As your baby grows out of the startler stage, they will struggle and try to fight their way out of a swaddle. Babies reject swaddling at different ages, but most of them grow out of their love for the swaddle at around three to six months of age. During the Kicker Stage, you may see them start to roll-over or notice their arms and legs become more strong and mobile. Once your little one no longer has the Moro Reflex, she is now in what we refer to as the Kicker Stage.

Once your baby begins their first few steps, they may be treading into the final Flip Flopper stage. In this last stage, your little one is an active sleeper. They move around in their crib at night and explore on their feet during the day. Your little Flip Flopper will try just about anything to climb out of their crib at this stage. And, at around one year of age, your baby will transition into a little monkey who will need and appreciate the freedom to move their little feet.