The Moro reflex is a normal primitive , infantile reflex . The Moro reflex is an involuntary protective motor response against abrupt disruption of body balance or extremely sudden stimulation.[1] Ernst Moro first described the Moro reflex in 1918. It can be seen as early as 25 weeks postconceptional age and usually is present by 30 weeks postconceptional age.[2] The reflex is present in full-term infants and begins to disappear by 12 weeks with complete disappearance by six months.[3] The Moro reflex occurs in newborns. It's a startle response, with crying and arms outspread, that can be a developmental marker in the first few months of life. Moro reflex : The Moro reflex is when your baby startles in reaction to the sensation of falling, such as when their head shifts suddenly. Learn causes, importance, and what to expect. The Moro reflex is a reflex babies should have at birth. Learn about how and why it happens and what it means.