The Newborn Scrunch: What is it and Why It’s So Adorable
Today, we’re going to talk about newborn scrunch.
When your baby is finally in your arms after 9 to 10 months of anxiety and overwhelmedness, you get to see their cute posture. Shortly after an infant is born, they have a posture characterized by curled arms and legs resembling the fetal position.
This is a cute position and one of the most important aspects of your little one’s developmental phase. That’s what we call newborn scrunch.
So, if you were wondering what newborn scrunch means, this blog post should help. This blog post will explore what this pose is and how long. So, keep reading.
What is the Newborn Scrunch?
Right after birth, infants curl their arms and legs close to their bodies. Infants do this on instinct, taking a fetal position right after birth. This phase of their body is reminiscent of the cramped position they were in inside the womb before birth.
The little one spent nine months in that form and after birth, it’s in their instinct to take on that form rather than spreading their limbs. This is a position that provides them comfort and security right after birth. It takes them some time before they are habituated to the outside world and come out of that cozy confinement.
The newborn scrunch is more visible when you hold a newborn. They tend to take their arms and legs close to their chest and elbows. This position mimics their fetal postures and also helps them regulate their body temperature and keep their limbs close. This is a way to maintain the warmth of their body during those early days.
Why Do Newborns Curl Up?
Newborns curling up is a pretty common instinctual behavior they show right after birth. However, there are some good reasons which explain why they curl up.
Comfort & Security
Infants love to mimic the security they have inside the womb. That’s why newborns scrunch to adapt to the new sensations of the outside world. It provides them with a sense of security and comfort.
Temperature Regulation
Scrunching is a mechanism for the little one to conserve his body heat. Right after birth, the baby needs to start regulating their own body temperature, which is why it scrunches. It is their way of independently reserving their own body temperature.
Neuromuscular Development
The scrunched position also reflects the immature nervous system of the baby. They will grow up, and their nervous system will also mature gradually. This is why they gain enough muscle tone and coordination. This way, they will start to stretch out their body more efficiently and frequently.
How Long Does the Newborn Scrunch Last?
The scrunch of a newborn lasts for a very short period. It usually lasts for a few months or a few weeks after they are born. Most babies start to outgrow this posture within six to four weeks as their neuromuscular systems develop and mature.
This helps them become more accustomed to their new environment. Most babies start to outgrow this posture as they adjust to the environment. It becomes easier for them to adjust to a straight posture with time.
However, if your little one keeps exhibiting a scrunched posture beyond three months, it’s time to get medical help. Take your baby to a paediatrician to discuss what might be troubling your little one.
Prolonged scrunching can be due to some internal developmental concerns your baby might be facing. Taking them to a paediatrician can help you understand the reason.
Newborn Baby Scrunching Duration
Regarding their age, the newborn infant scrunches until the four or six weeks of their birth. However, for how long does a little one scrunch?
Here’s the normal duration for a baby’s scrunch right after its birth –
- Within Hours: Many babies relax in the scrunched position right after birth. They take this position right after they are born and hold this position for 2 hours to 4 hours.
- By 6 Hours: By this hour, approximately 50-70% of newborns change from their curled-up or scrunched position.
- By 1-2 Days: babies still holding on to their scrunched position would uncurl within 48 hours of their birth.
- By 1 Week: Healthy full-term newborns generally stop showing their scrunching position during one week of their age.
It’s common for your baby to show the scrunched position for the first few weeks of birth. However, if they continue to hold the scrunched position even after the four months of their birth, it’s best to consult with a paediatrician about this. They can help you understand whether your baby needs medical assistance.
What Happens When Newborns Are Picked Up?
A baby’s scrunching can be attributed to different factors. You might see them scrunching, especially when you pick them up.
Following are some reasons why these instinct kicks in when you pick up a newborn –
Reflexive Response: Scrunching is often a part of a baby’s reflex. It helps babies locate their mother’s breast when they are hungry. They often show this instinctive reflex when they are hungry. Newborns also scrunch to show that they are comfortable in someone’s arms.
Seeking Comfort: Right after a baby is picked up, it triggers a desire for comfort. They want to feel comfortable in the arms of a person they are being picked up.
Adjustment Phase: when lifting an infant, they tend to scrunch or curl up to adjust their position. They do it because they try to adjust their position from lying flat on the surface to being held in someone’s arms. Scrunching is their technique to adjust to the new space and the position.
When Does the Newborn Scrunch Go Away?
As mentioned above, your baby will stop having the curled-up position within three to four weeks of their birth. Many infants often show extended movements and engaging activities such as reaching and kicking. This transition is common when they are developing essential motor skills necessary for future milestones like crawling and walking.
However, if you see that your little one is still scrunching after four to six months of birth, it’s best to consult a paediatrician. They can help understand the underlying reason behind prolonged periods of scrunching.
What to Do If Your Newborn Curls While Sleeping
Some babies will naturally scrunch and roll to the other side when putting them to sleep. This is something you know as a newborn scrunch. But, generally, the term is also applied to the sleeping positions of infants.
If your baby is older than a few months and likes to scrunch a little during sleep, it’s not a problem. However, parents must know that the best sleeping position for babies is on their back until they are 1 year old. So, even if newborn scrunching is common during a phase, it’s best to maintain proper sleep practices for your newborns. When swaddling your little one, ensure they are snug and have plenty of room to kick their legs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as said earlier, newborn scrunch is a normal reflex for newborns. They curl up to feel comforted and adjust to the space they are in. For parents and caregivers, babies curling up when picked up is a pretty common and cute thing to see.
However, don’t avoid cues like prolonged scrunching or scrunching even after four to six months of their birth. Did you find your answer in this blog post? Share your thoughts with us through the comment section. Thank you.
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