Research-backed
Babies are smart beings. They come equipped with several motor responses right from the day they are born. They know how to grasp a finger or reach for the breast when they are just a few minutes old. The newborn motor responses help them survive in their new environment and protects them from sudden movements. Your baby’s pediatrician might also check for these reflexes during the first visit. Continue reading our article if you’re interested to know about the different reflexes seen in newborn babies.
Newborn Reflexes
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Reflexes can be defined as involuntary responses or movements. Babies show spontaneous movements that occur as a result of their normal activity. Other movements are responses to certain stimuli. Your pediatrician will check the baby’s reflexes to make sure that their nervous system and brain are functioning properly (1). Note that babies show certain reflexes at different periods of development.
Let us take a look at some of the reflexes found in newborn babies, including the Moro reflex.
Moro Reflex
Also known as the startle reflex, it typically lasts for about 2 to 3 months after birth. Moro reflex is when an infant gets startled by a sudden movement or loud sound. When a baby hears a loud sound, he/she will extend the arms and legs and then slowly pull them back in. The way a baby’s leg moves in response to the trigger may vary from one baby to the other. The baby might also cry for a minute, which can trigger the reflex (2).
If the Moro reflex occurs only on one side of the body, it could be an abnormal Moro reflex. Some babies may have no Moro reflex. Abnormal or absent Moro reflex could indicate the following (3):
- Injuries caused during the birthing process
- Weak muscles
- Infections
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Spastic cerebral palsy
Moro reflex can be triggered by a few things: intense light, loud noises, and sudden movements. Sometimes, the babies can trigger it in themselves when they make sudden movements. It can also be triggered by the sensation of falling when parents or caregivers lay them down or pick them up from the bed or crib.
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Rooting Reflex
The rooting reflex starts when the sides of the infant’s mouth are touched. The baby will turn his or her head and open the mouth to follow and root towards the direction of the stroking. This reflex helps the baby while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. It lasts until the baby is 4 months old (4).
Suck Reflex
The rooting reflex prepares the baby for the sucking motion when the roof of the newborn’s mouth is touched. It starts developing during the 32nd week of pregnancy and takes about 3 more weeks to fully develop. As a result, premature babies may have immature sucking reflex (5).
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Grasp Reflex
Just like the name suggests, the grasp reflex is triggered when a baby’s palm is stroked, causing them to close their fingers. This reflex lasts for about 6 to 7 months after birth. A similar reflex is observed in the baby’s toes which lasts slightly longer for 9 to 12 months (6).
Stepping Reflex
Also known as the dance or walking reflex, the stepping reflex is when a baby takes baby steps or appears to dance when they are held in the upright position with their feet touching the ground or any solid surface. The stepping reflex lasts for about 2 months (7).
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Tonic Neck Reflex
Tonic neck reflex is when the arm of one side stretches out when the baby is faced to that side while the other arm bends at the elbow. It is also known as the fencing reflex because of the way the baby’s arms and legs are positioned. The tonic neck reflex vanishes after 5 to 7 months (8).
As parents, you don’t necessarily have to worry about these reflexes as your baby’s pediatrician will check for it in the first few visits. You could also check these reflexes at home. If your baby is not giving the expected results, it may not be an immediate cause for worry as you might not be doing the trigger right. In some cases, your baby might be too tired to respond. Try again on several occasions, and if you still don’t get the desired response, you can check in with the pediatrician.
