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The Moro Reflex

The Moro Reflex, sometimes called the infants startle reflex acts as a baby’s fight/flight response to a sudden change in sensory stimuli. Sudden bright light, change in temperature, loud noise, touch or change in body position can activate the Moro Reflex. Its role as a survival mechanism in the first months of life is to alert, to arouse and to summon assistance. The Moro Reflex should be replaced by the adult startle reflex by 2-4 months of age.

Possible Long Term Effects Of A Retained Moro Reflex

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  • In constant fight or flight mode

  • Easily triggered anger or emotional outbursts

  • Very anxious, dislikes change

  • Shyness

  • Feels the need to control situations

  • Interacts better with younger children

  • Low self esteem and weak ego

  • Difficulty with balance and sport, particularly ball games.

  • Difficulty with reading and writing.

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  • Stimulus bound – they find it very difficult to ignore what is going on around them both visually and auditory (difficulty shutting out background noise) affecting their concentration and attention

  • Hypersensitive to both light and sound

  • Weak immune system, prone to allergies and infections

  • Sensitive to certain foods

  • Picky eater

  • Burn up their blood glucose faster than their counterparts

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