Those Funny Little Baby Movements – What’s Normal and What’s Just a Reflex
If you’ve ever watched your newborn flail their arms or twitch their lips in their sleep, you might have wondered, “Is that normal?” The answer, most of the time, is yes! Those funny little movements are part of the amazing way your baby’s body learns to function — and most are healthy reflexes that show their development is right on track.
What You Might Notice
Your baby might:
Flinch or throw out their arms suddenly (that’s the startle reflex).
Move their mouth or start sucking when something brushes their cheek (the rooting reflex).
Curl their fingers or toes when you touch them (the grasp reflex).
Make stepping motions when you support them upright (the stepping reflex).
It can look surprising at first, but these reflexes are your baby’s way of adjusting to their brand-new world.
Reflexes vs. Intentional Movements
Reflexes are automatic — your baby doesn’t control them yet. As your little one grows, you’ll start to see more intentional movements: grasping a toy on purpose, rolling over, or lifting their head with control. These milestones show that reflexes are fading as coordination develops.
Most newborn reflexes disappear by 4 to 6 months, but the timeline can vary. What matters most is gradual progress — not perfection on a schedule.
When to Check In
While reflexes are a normal part of development, it’s always okay to reach out to your pediatrician if something feels off. If movements seem stiff, weak, or uneven, or if a reflex doesn’t fade over time, your doctor can help rule out any concerns.
Helping Your Baby Feel Secure
You can make reflexes less startling by swaddling your baby snugly, holding them close during transitions, and keeping lights low and sounds gentle during sleep and feeding times. Calm environments help babies feel safe as their bodies adjust to all these new sensations.
Harmony Baby Concierge Can Help
At Harmony Baby Concierge, our doulas and newborn care specialists know how to read your baby’s cues and reflexes with confidence and care. We’re here to support your baby’s growth and your peace of mind — day and night.
Every little twitch, stretch, and flail is part of a beautiful process — your baby discovering their rhythm in the world. 🤍
Harmony Baby Concierge is a full service Newborn Care + Postpartum Support Agency based in Dallas, Austin and Houston, Texas. We have a well-rounded team of Newborn Care Specialists, Night Nurses, Postpartum Doulas, Newborn Night Nannies and Baby Nurses. We provide lactation support, newborn care, night nursing, gentle sleep training and parent education to families of newborns. We serve all families with love, warmth and care. Serving: Dallas, Austin, Houston, Highland Park, University Park, Kessler Park, Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Plano, Frisco, Celina, Prosper, Fort Worth, Southlake, Westlake, Irving, Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Houston, Manvel, Galveston, West University, Austin, Barton Creek, Round Rock, Houston, Denver, New York City, Greenwich CT, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Englewood Colorado, Cherry Hills Village CO, and Surrounding Areas.