Question
Dear Doctor! My baby is currently 3 months old and occasionally exhibits startled reactions during sleep, raising both hands as if trying to grab something, looking scared. Sometimes, this also happens when the baby is awake, and it occurs one or two times. What could be the cause of this? Is it related to the baby’s underdeveloped nervous system? The situation has lessened, but it was most frequent when the baby was about 1 month old.
Answer
When observing a baby’s startled reaction, the closest caregiver should provide more comfort, such as gentle patting and stroking. At the same time, pay attention to calcium supplementation, as research shows that babies deficient in calcium are more prone to being startled. Some parents have reported that their children also experienced similar startled reactions when they were 1 month old, but these gradually decreased over time. Therefore, there is no need to be overly concerned.