Newborns sneeze A LOT - this is totally normal, not usually a cold. Sneezing helps clear nose of amniotic fluid, mucus, dust, and other particles. Baby's nasal passages are tiny and sensitive. Sneezing is their way of clearing airways since they can't blow their nose. Sneezing alone (without fever, excessive mucus, or other cold symptoms) is normal reflex, not illness.

Hiccups are very common in newborns - caused by diaphragm spasms (muscle used for breathing). Often happen after feeding, when baby eats too fast, swallows air, or has temperature change. Completely harmless and usually don't bother baby (bothers parents more!). Frequency decreases as baby grows. Babies even hiccup in the womb starting around 6 weeks gestation. Most episodes last 5-10 minutes and resolve on their own.

When baby feels like they're falling or hears loud noise, they throw arms out, arch back, then pull arms back in (often crying). This is Moro/startle reflex. Present at birth, peaks first month, disappears by 3-6 months. Evolutionary survival reflex (grab onto mother to prevent falling). Can wake baby from sleep. Triggered by sudden head position change, loud noise, or feeling of falling. Swaddling helps suppress this reflex so it doesn't wake baby constantly.

When you place finger in baby's palm, they automatically grasp tightly. This is palmar grasp reflex. Present at birth, strong enough that baby can support own weight briefly (though you should never test this - dangerous). Disappears around 5-6 months as voluntary grasping develops. Similar reflex exists in feet (plantar grasp) - toes curl when foot sole is touched.

When you stroke baby's cheek or mouth, they turn toward the touch and open mouth (searching for nipple). This is rooting reflex - helps baby find breast/bottle to feed. Present at birth, strongest first few weeks. Disappears around 3-4 months as voluntary feeding skills develop. Triggered by touch on cheek, lips, or corner of mouth. Baby will turn and open mouth even when not hungry.

When you hold baby upright with feet touching flat surface, they make stepping motions as if walking. This is stepping/walking reflex. Present at birth, disappears around 2 months. Doesn't mean baby will walk early - just primitive reflex. Reappears later (around 8-12 months) as voluntary walking skill. The reflex and voluntary walking are controlled by different brain areas.

When something touches roof of baby's mouth, they automatically suck. This is sucking reflex - essential for feeding. Present at birth (actually develops in womb around 32 weeks). Coordinates with swallowing and breathing for safe feeding. Babies have both nutritive sucking (for feeding) and non-nutritive sucking (for comfort - pacifier, thumb). Non-nutritive sucking is faster and shallower. Reflex transitions to voluntary sucking around 2-4 months but continues throughout infancy.

When baby's head turns to one side, arm on that side extends straight out while opposite arm bends (like fencing position). This is asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR). Present at birth or appears by 1 month, disappears around 4-6 months. May be subtle - not all babies show it clearly. Prevents rolling over too early (before baby has head control). Disappears as baby gains head control and begins rolling.