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This article provides answers to some common questions asked about normal newborn noises, reflexes and behaviors.
You can directly to the topic that relates to your question for advice.
Normal Newborn Reflexes
Startle Reflex (also called the Moro reflex or embrace reflex)
The startle reflex is common in newborns. You may see:
The baby’s body suddenly stiffen
Arms straighten and hands open
A short cry may follow
This reflex usually happens after a loud noise or sudden movement. Most babies grow out of this reflex by about 4 months of age, though it may last a little longer for some.
Tonic-Neck Reflex (also called the fencer’s reflex)
The tonic-neck reflex happens when your baby’s head turns to one side. You might notice:
The arm and leg on that side straighten
The opposite arm and leg bend
This reflex usually fades away by 4 months of age.
Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/newborn-reflexes.aspx
Feeding reflexes
Rooting Reflex
The rooting reflex helps babies find food. When the side of your baby’s cheek or mouth is gently touched, they will:
Turn their head toward the touch
Open their mouth, ready to nurse or eat
This reflex is normal and usually goes away by about 6 months of age.
Sucking Reflex
Babies have a strong sucking reflex. They will suck on anything placed in their mouth—even if they just finished a feeding.
This is normal and doesn’t always mean your baby is hungry.
The sucking reflex usually fades between 6 and 12 months of age.
Protective Reflexes
Sneezing
This clears the nose of irritants like dust, tobacco smoke, fragrances.
At this age, it is not caused by an allergy or illness.
Coughing to clear lower airway
Blinking
After spending 9 months in darkness, newborns have light-sensitive eyes.
At first, they prefer to keep their eyes closed.
They blink often with light exposure.
Chin Trembling
Lower Lip Quivering
Jitters or Trembling
Normal Jitters or Trembling When Crying
It’s normal for babies to have some trembling or jitters in their arms and legs, especially when they’re crying. This usually goes away by 1 to 2 months of age.
Normal jitters usually stop when:
You give your baby something to suck on
You gently hold or touch the shaky area
If your baby is jittery when not crying, it could be a sign of something else.
Many parents worry about seizures, but these are rare in newborns. Signs of a seizure include:
Muscle jerking
Blinking of the eyes
Sucking movements of the mouth (not related to feeding)
No crying during the episode
Movements that don’t stop when you try to comfort or hold your baby
Normal Sleep Movements and Noises
Noises during sleep
It’s normal for newborns to make noises while sleeping.
If your baby makes a sound or lets out a small cry, you can check on them.
Most of the time, they do not need to be picked up unless they are crying or seem upset.
Babies often let out a quick squeak or whimper, then go back to sleep.
During light sleep, babies may groan, cry, or make gurgling sounds.
You might also hear:
Tummy noises as food moves through the stomach and intestines
Throat noises from saliva or small amounts of fluid
Movements During Sleep
Newborns may also move around a lot while they sleep.
It’s common to see jerks or twitches in the arms, hands, or legs
These movements usually last just a few seconds and often happen soon after the baby falls asleep.
Movements that happen only during sleep are usually normal, even in older babies and children.
Normal Breathing Sounds and Noises
The noises described below do not cause difficulty breathing.
Throat Noises
Newborns often make gurgling noises in their throat. These sounds happen when air moves through saliva or milk that comes back up from the stomach.
These sounds are more common during sleep.
Over time, babies learn to swallow more often, and the noises happen less
Sometimes babies make a loud, high-pitched sound when breathing in. This can be normal if your baby is breathing comfortably and seems happy and calm.
If the noise doesn’t go away or your baby looks uncomfortable, contact your baby’s primary care provider.
Nose Noises
Most nasal sounds are caused by dried mucus in the nose — not a cold.
It’s common for babies to sound a little "snorty" at birth
Tobacco smoke or other air irritants can make nasal stuffiness worse
If your baby is breathing and feeding normally, no treatment is usually needed. But sometimes, stuffed nasal passages can make it hard for your baby to feed well — since babies need to breathe through their nose while eating. You can help by using saline nose drops to gently clear the nose before feeding.
Sneezing
Sneezing is normal in newborns. It helps clear the nose and keep the airways open.
Sneezing can also happen because of:
Tobacco smoke
Dust
Strong smells like perfumes or cleaning products
Hiccups
Hiccups are also normal in babies.
Many babies had hiccups before birth, and it’s common to see them afterward too
Some babies hiccup after every feeding
Hiccups don’t usually bother babies, and there’s no need to stop or treat them
Normal (but Scary-Sounding) Newborn Breathing Patterns
Periodic Breathing
Sometimes, newborns have short pauses in breathing that last less than 10 seconds.
This is called periodic breathing and is usually normal if your baby is comfortable and breathing fewer than 60 times per minute.
These pauses often stop by the time your baby is 1 month old.
Transient Rapid Breathing
Your baby may sometimes take quick, deep breaths. This helps fully open the lungs.
It’s normal if the breathing slows back to normal within about a minute.
Seesaw Breathing
In some newborns, you may see the chest go inward while the belly pushes out during breathing.
This is called seesaw breathing and happens because babies have a soft rib cage.
Yawning and Sighing
Newborns often yawn or take little sighs. These sounds help them open up their lungs and are a normal part of breathing.
This can happen off and on and helps your baby open their lungs.
Normal Digestive Sounds
Burping and Passing gas
Burping and passing gas help your baby release swallowed air. These are normal, do not hurt, and are a part of life at all ages.
Hiccups
Hiccups are also normal, and often happen after your baby eats. They do not cause pain or bother babies.
Burping and Spitting Up
For breastfed babies, try burping when switching between breasts.
For bottle-fed babies, burp after every 1-2 ounces.
Some babies are easier to burp than others — that’s normal.
Hold your baby upright while burping in case a little milk comes up (that’s okay!).
Burping may cause a small spit-up, which is normal.
Passing Gas and Pooping
Babies often:
Have gassy tummies that make gurgling or growling noises
Pull up their legs and grunt or push when pooping — this is their body learning how to digest food
Pass gas that might smell bad — this is normal
Poop every time they eat, or skip a few days (especially breastfed babies)
As long as your baby is peeing, pooping, and feeding well, you usually don’t need to change your diet (if breastfeeding) or switch formulas.
Call Your Doctor If:
Your baby’s jittery movements are getting worse as they get older or happen when your baby is calm.
Jerky movements happen when your baby is awake, or they last more than 10 seconds.
Your baby is breathing very quickly, their skin or lips turn blue, or their ribs or chest suck in with each breath.
Your baby has white-colored stool or blood in their stool.
Your baby has hard pellet-like poop.
Your baby looks distressed
Your baby starts looking or acting sick
Your baby starts looking or acting abnormal in any way
You think your baby needs to be seen
Or if you have any concerns.
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials
Reviewed by: JJ M.D., CPCMG newborn committee, AR D.O. | 06/2025