MD, IBCLC
Dr. Elena Shea was a physician at the Health Unit of the US Embassy in Rome, where she developed an interest in child health. With over 28 years of experience, she is now a breastfeeding medicine provider and literacy advocate for early childhood. She is from Florida but lives with her family in Washington D.C. Her favorite pastimes are reading novels, running, spending time outside, and working on various advocacy projects.
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Moro (startle) reflex in babies is one of the several reflexes in babies and is not present in neurologically intact adults. Some other reflexes include the rooting reflex, sucking reflex, stepping reflex, grasp reflex, and tonic neck reflex, which occur at different stages of a baby’s development. These reflexes are an indication that the baby's nervous system is functioning properly. A reflex is an involuntary reaction or movement (1). Most responses of newborns or infants are reflexive. For example, when their cheek is stroked, they may turn their head on the same side, or when a finger is put in their mouth, they begin to suck on it. These are called primitive reflexes. Read this post to learn about the Moro (startle) reflex, what it looks like, how it is initiated, and more. [mj-toc] What Is A Moro Reflex In Infants? [caption id="attachment_892300" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Moro or startle reflex is a type of involuntary response seen in newborns....
When we are young, we acquire and develop cognitive skills continuously. These are the skills that assist us in processing and responding to information. Cognitive activities for toddlers aid in the development of these mental capacities, allowing children to read, learn, understand, recall, and focus more quickly. Infants and toddlers keenly observe their environment and continuously think, learn, and experiment. Cognitive skills serve as the foundation for the development of a child\'s social, emotional, language, and communication attributes (1). In this post, we share the various aspects of cognitive skill development in toddlers and activities to help improve them. [mj-toc] At What Age Does A Child’s Cognitive Development Begin? Your baby is filled with curiosity and is learning as soon as they start observing the surroundings. For instance, a two-month-old baby can pay attention to faces and follow moving objects with their eyes. Infants and toddlers watch their parents or elders in the family, listen to the language spoken around,...
Just like in adults, yawning in babies is one of the signs of sleepiness and generally occurs just before the onset of sleep. Babies begin to yawn right from within the mother’s womb when they are young fetuses of 12-14 weeks gestational age (1). Yawning is defined as an involuntary wide opening of the mouth accompanied by a long and deep inhalation through the mouth and nose. It is followed by a slow exhalation and is associated with a feeling of relaxation and comfort. If your baby seems to yawn excessively even after a good night’s sleep, you must inform your child’s pediatrician about it. The doctor may investigate it to rule out any other underlying conditions. Read on to know about the causes and management of excessive yawning in babies. [mj-toc] Causes Of Excessive Yawning In Babies Excessive yawning in babies can be due to any of the following reasons. However, it is best to look out for other...