The Moro (startle) reflex is present from birth, so ideally it should be seen in a 7-day-old baby. However, its visibility can vary from baby to baby.
A few important points:
Some babies are very calm or less reactive, so the reflex may not be easily noticeable at home
If the baby is sleepy, well-fed, or handled gently, the reflex may not be triggered
The way we check Moro reflex in hospital is specific — it may not be reliably elicited at home
Next Steps
Reassuring signs in your baby:
Feeding well
Normal movements of all limbs
Good cry
Waking for feeds
If these are present, it is usually not a concern.
Health Tips
When to get baby checked:
Baby is very lethargic or difficult to arouse
Poor feeding
Reduced movements or floppy baby
No response to sound at all
Advice:
Do not try to elicit the reflex forcefully at home (like head dropping), as it may not be safe. Instead, get a pediatric examination once where reflexes can be properly assessed.
Most likely, this is normal variation, but a quick check by a pediatrician will give you complete reassurance.
contact me on practo for further queries