10 Unexpected Behaviors Newborns Exhibit in Their First Weeks: Surprising Infant Development

Welcoming a newborn into your life brings joy and wonder, along with many surprises. In the first few weeks, your baby will display a range of behaviors that may seem unusual or unexpected.

These early behaviors are often normal developmental milestones that help your infant adapt to life outside the womb. Understanding these quirks can ease your concerns and provide insights into your baby's growth. This article explores 10 unexpected behaviors you might observe in your newborn during their initial weeks.

1) Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex is a fascinating behavior exhibited by newborns in their first weeks of life. When you gently stroke your baby's cheek or the corner of their mouth, they'll instinctively turn their head towards the touch.

This reflex helps your newborn locate their food source. It's essential for breastfeeding, as it guides the baby towards the nipple. You may notice your little one opening their mouth and moving their head from side to side when they're hungry.

The rooting reflex typically disappears around 4 months of age. Until then, you'll observe this behavior not only during feeding times but also when your baby is touched near their mouth at other times.

It's important to note that this reflex is present on both sides of your newborn's face. If you notice it's consistently absent on one side, it's best to consult your pediatrician.

2) Startle Response (Moro Reflex)

Newborns often display a sudden, dramatic reaction to unexpected stimuli. This is known as the startle response or Moro reflex. You might observe this when your baby experiences a loud noise or feels a sudden movement.

During the Moro reflex, your baby's arms and legs will quickly extend outward. Their hands may open, and their head might tilt back slightly. After this initial reaction, your newborn will typically bring their arms back towards their body.

This reflex is entirely normal and serves as a protective mechanism. It's one of the first reflexes to develop, usually appearing around 28 weeks of gestation. You can expect to see this response in your baby until they're about 3-4 months old.

The Moro reflex can sometimes cause your newborn to wake themselves up. If you notice your baby startling frequently during sleep, you might consider swaddling them. This can help reduce the intensity of the reflex and promote better sleep.

Remember, the startle response is a sign of healthy neurological development in your newborn. If you have concerns about your baby's reflexes, consult with your pediatrician for guidance.

3) Grasp Reflex

Newborns possess a remarkable ability known as the grasp reflex. When you stroke your baby's palm, you'll notice their tiny fingers automatically close around your finger or object.

This instinctive response is present from birth and typically lasts for the first few months of life. The grasp reflex serves as a primitive survival mechanism, helping infants cling to their mothers.

You might observe your newborn gripping objects tightly, sometimes even supporting their own weight momentarily. This reflex is so strong that some babies can briefly hang from a rod or finger.

The grasp reflex isn't limited to the hands. You may notice a similar response in your baby's toes when you touch the sole of their foot.

As your baby grows, this reflex will gradually fade. Its disappearance marks an important developmental milestone, paving the way for voluntary grasping and fine motor skills.

4) Hiccups

Hiccups are a common occurrence in newborns, often surprising new parents. You might notice your baby suddenly making quick, repetitive "hic" sounds accompanied by small jerks of their diaphragm.

These episodes can happen several times a day and may last for a few minutes or even up to an hour. Hiccups don't typically cause discomfort to your baby, so there's usually no need for concern.

Several factors can trigger hiccups in newborns. Overfeeding, eating too quickly, or swallowing air during feeding are common causes. Sometimes, hiccups may occur when your baby's stomach is full or when they experience a sudden change in temperature.

You don't need to take any action to stop your baby's hiccups. They will usually resolve on their own. However, if hiccups seem to bother your baby, you can try changing their position or offering a pacifier.

In rare cases, frequent hiccups might indicate a underlying digestive issue. If you notice your baby hiccupping excessively or showing signs of distress, consult your pediatrician for advice.

5) Sneezing

Newborns often surprise parents with frequent sneezing. This behavior is entirely normal and serves several important functions. Your baby's sneezes help clear their nasal passages of dust, milk, and other irritants.

Sneezing also assists in regulating your infant's breathing patterns. It's a reflex that helps them adjust to breathing air instead of amniotic fluid. Your newborn's sneezes don't necessarily indicate a cold or allergy.

You might notice your baby sneezing more often when lying down. This position can cause mucus to pool in their nasal passages, triggering the sneeze reflex. Sneezing helps redistribute this mucus and keeps their airways clear.

If your newborn's sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms like fever or difficulty breathing, consult your pediatrician. Otherwise, rest assured that sneezing is a healthy part of your baby's development.

6) Jerky Movements

Newborns often display sudden, jerky movements that might surprise you. These twitches and spasms are entirely normal and occur due to their developing nervous system.

You may notice your baby's arms or legs moving abruptly, seemingly without reason. This is part of their natural reflex development and helps strengthen their muscles.

These jerky motions can happen while your newborn is awake or asleep. During sleep, you might observe quick eye movements or facial twitches, which are associated with REM sleep.

As your baby grows, these movements will become more controlled and purposeful. By around 3 months, you'll likely see a significant reduction in these involuntary jerks.

If you're concerned about excessive or unusual movements, it's always best to consult your pediatrician. They can assess your baby's development and provide reassurance or further guidance if needed.

7) Crossed Eyes

Crossed eyes in newborns are more common than you might think. This condition, medically known as strabismus, occurs when a baby's eyes don't align properly.

You may notice your newborn's eyes occasionally looking in different directions. This is typically normal in the first few weeks of life as their eye muscles develop.

Newborns' vision is still developing, so their eyes may not always work together perfectly. This can cause them to appear cross-eyed at times.

Most cases of crossed eyes in newborns resolve on their own by 3-4 months of age. As their eye muscles strengthen and coordination improves, their eyes will align more consistently.

If you're concerned about your baby's eye alignment, consult your pediatrician. They can assess whether further evaluation or treatment is necessary.

In rare cases, persistent crossed eyes may indicate an underlying vision problem. Early detection and treatment can help prevent long-term vision issues.

8) Yawning

You might be surprised to see your newborn yawn frequently during their first weeks. While yawning is often associated with tiredness in adults, it serves multiple purposes in newborns.

Newborns yawn to regulate their breathing and blood oxygen levels. This action helps them adjust to the new environment outside the womb, where they must breathe independently.

Yawning also aids in equalizing pressure in the ears, which can be beneficial for newborns as they adapt to air pressure changes. Additionally, it may help stimulate brain development and alertness.

You'll notice that your baby's yawns are often contagious. This mirroring behavior is an early form of social bonding and communication between you and your newborn.

It's important to note that frequent yawning in newborns is typically not a cause for concern. However, if you observe excessive yawning accompanied by other unusual symptoms, consult your pediatrician for guidance.

9) Newborn Acne

Tiny red bumps on your baby's face might surprise you, but newborn acne is quite common. It typically appears within the first few weeks after birth and can last for several months.

You may notice these small pimples on your infant's cheeks, nose, and forehead. Don't worry - this skin condition is harmless and usually clears up on its own without treatment.

The exact cause of newborn acne isn't fully understood. Hormones from the mother that remain in the baby's system after birth may play a role. These hormones can stimulate oil glands in the skin, leading to breakouts.

To care for your baby's skin, gently wash their face with warm water daily. Avoid using harsh soaps or scrubbing the affected areas, as this can irritate the skin further. Resist the urge to apply acne treatments meant for older children or adults.

If you're concerned about your baby's skin or the acne persists beyond a few months, consult your pediatrician. They can rule out other skin conditions and provide appropriate guidance for your little one's specific needs.

10) Smiling While Asleep

You might notice your newborn smiling in their sleep. This behavior often surprises new parents, as it seems too early for genuine smiles.

These sleep smiles are involuntary reflexes, not responses to external stimuli. They occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, when babies' brains are particularly active.

Sleep smiles can happen several times a day, lasting just a few seconds each. You may also observe other facial expressions like frowns or grimaces during this time.

While these smiles aren't social, they're still heartwarming to witness. They're part of your baby's neurological development and help prepare facial muscles for future intentional expressions.

Enjoy these fleeting moments, but remember that true social smiling typically begins around 6-8 weeks of age. Until then, your baby's waking expressions will be mostly reflexive.

Understanding Newborn Reflexes

Newborns exhibit several automatic responses to stimuli known as reflexes. These involuntary actions help babies survive and interact with their environment during the early stages of development.

Startle Reflex (Moro Reflex)

The Moro reflex, often called the startle reflex, is a primitive response observed in newborns. When startled by a sudden movement or loud noise, babies throw out their arms and legs, then quickly pull them back in.

This reflex typically appears around 28 weeks of gestation and persists until about 3-4 months after birth. You might notice your baby's Moro reflex when:

• Changing their position suddenly
• Placing them on a cold surface
• Making unexpected noises

The Moro reflex serves as a protective mechanism, helping infants cling to their caregivers when feeling threatened. As your baby's nervous system matures, this reflex will gradually disappear.

Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex helps newborns find food sources. When you stroke your baby's cheek or the corner of their mouth, they'll turn their head toward that side and open their mouth.

This reflex usually appears around 28 weeks of gestation and lasts until about 4 months after birth. You can observe the rooting reflex when:

• Touching your baby's cheek
• Offering a breast or bottle
• Placing your finger near their mouth

The rooting reflex aids in breastfeeding, helping your baby locate the nipple. It's an essential survival mechanism that ensures newborns can find nourishment effectively.

As your baby grows, they'll develop more control over their feeding behaviors, and the rooting reflex will gradually fade.

Common Unusual Behaviors

Newborns often exhibit behaviors that may seem strange or concerning to new parents. These actions are typically normal and harmless developmental stages.

Jerky Movements

You might notice your newborn making sudden, jerky movements. This is called the Moro reflex or startle reflex. It's a normal response to sudden changes in their environment.

Your baby may throw their arms out and then quickly bring them back in, often while crying. This reflex usually appears around week 25 of pregnancy and fades by 3-4 months after birth.

Swaddling can help reduce these jerky movements and comfort your baby. Always ensure the swaddle is not too tight and allows for hip movement.

Grunting Noises

Your newborn may make various grunting noises, especially while sleeping or feeding. These sounds are often due to their developing digestive system.

As your baby learns to have bowel movements, they may grunt or strain. This is because they haven't yet figured out how to relax their pelvic floor while pushing with their abdominal muscles.

Grunting during feeding can be normal, but if it's persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, consult your pediatrician. It could indicate reflux or other feeding issues.

These noises usually decrease as your baby's digestive system matures. If you're concerned about excessive grunting, keep a log to discuss with your doctor.