Startle (Moro) Reflex
What is the Startle (Moro) Reflex?
The Startle Reflex is present at birth. It’s an automatic movement in response to sudden sounds, touch, or movement.
This reflex helps Baby take their first breath at birth, releases adrenaline to support the birthing process, and begins the instinctive responses that keep Baby safe.
The Startle Reflex triggers both physical and auditory reactions—Baby’s arms and legs extend, and they often cry. This alerting cry signals to the caregiver that Baby needs comfort or protection.
Signs of a Retained Startle (Moro) Reflex
A retained or overactive Startle Reflex may show up in older children or adults as:
Anxiety or emotional regulation challenges
Motion sickness in cars or amusement rides
Balance or coordination issues
Hypersensitivity to sound, light, or touch
Startling or waking easily
Withdrawn, timid, or shy behavior
Discomfort rolling onto the back
An overactive Startle Reflex may also appear as significant startles, frequent crying, fussiness, or needing to be held constantly.
Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING
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Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING 〰️
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Blessingways Family Wellness in Airdrie and North Calgary, our chiropractors—Dr. Melanie Beingessner, Dr. Laurence Dion, and Dr. Leah Robinson—help families support healthy brain and body development through gentle, movement-based chiropractic care.
When retained primitive reflexes are suspected, we:
Perform a thorough chiropractic and neurological examination.
Review a detailed intake form to identify which reflexes may be active.
Create a personalized care plan that includes gentle chiropractic adjustments and home-based movement activities.
Recommend daily exercises to help the nervous system learn new, more coordinated patterns.
Re-evaluate progress regularly to monitor changes and refine care.
Every nervous system is unique. While many people respond well to chiropractic adjustments and home movement activities, progress depends on each individual’s ability to adapt and integrate new information.
📞 Call Blessingways Family Wellness at (403) 945-2422
to book your appointment or learn more about our family chiropractic services in Airdrie
Best Beginnings: Infant Massage and Movement Program
Ready to nurture your baby’s growth from the very beginning?
Our Best Beginnings Program teaches parents hands-on ways to support healthy growth and brain development, calm Baby’s nervous system, and encourage reflex integration through touch and play.
You’ll receive:
● Over 20 hours of guided video tutorials
●Simple, science-based activities you can do at home
● Practical home organization tips
● Exclusive downloadable guides and printable resources
● Unlimited lifetime access
Exercises to Help Integrate the Startle Reflex
To support reflex integration:
Every morning for 30 days
20 repetitions of the Starfish Exercise
20 repetitions of at least one fun movement activity from the list below
Every afternoon or evening for 30 days
20 repetitions of the Starfish Exercise
20 repetitions of one or more fun exercises (choose from the videos below)
(Do as many of the fun exercises as you like!)
Starfish Exercise Demonstration
Child seated Starfish example
Child lying down example
please scroll to the 50 second mark to see the exercise demonstrated.
Do NOT follow their recommendations, please use ours from above.
Here are more fun Moro Reflex Integration Exercises to choose from
Click Here to see 14 videos of Additional FUN Exercises - click on the Moro Functional Activities folder
Click Here for additional FUN integration exercises that we’ve found on YouTube
Click Here to print a 30 days exercise Tracking Calendar
Dr. Melanie, Dr. Laurence and Dr. Leah have taken many courses about retained primitive reflexes. One course, offered by Harkla, called Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes Master Level was created by Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, both occupational therapists
We have been given permission by them to post their very thorough information on our website and to give their handouts to our patients.
