Staring also dries out the eyes — and considering that babies blink only a few times a minute ... % in a phenomenon known as the oculocardiac reflex. But Arnold questions this reasoning.

But a lack of certain reflexes can sometimes signal problems with the baby's brain or nervous system. Root reflex. This newborn reflex ... you may jump and blink when something startling happens.

But it’s far from a mere mechanical action. A blink is, at its core, a defence reflex designed to protect your eyes from dust, debris, and other irritants," said Dr Dodia. According to a 2011 ...

"She said that babies don't blink as frequently as adults ... "Blinking is a reflex that helps keep the eyes lubricated, but in infants, this reflex is not as fully developed as it is for older ...