The 6 newborn reflexes..

All babies come into the world equipped with natural reflexes, which are instinctual motor responses of their central nervous system, to external surrounding stimulus. Reflexes vary in utility and some of them hold a survival value, (such as routing and sucking), but they all are essential for your baby's development . During the first weeks of life, most of your infant movements are involuntary not intentional, (aka reflexes). Some reflexes last for months while other disappear in a matter of weeks, but they all should gradually fade away with proper growth. Infant reflexes are always tested at birth for the purpose of assessing proper brain functioning.

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So let's get familiar with each one of them and understand how they work;

 

• ROOTING reflex: manifesting when a newborn instinctively turn his head towards anything that touches his cheek or mouth while simultaneously opening his lips and getting ready to latch. This reflex it's absolutely necessary for your baby's survival and it's present at birth until it will naturally disappear at around 4 months of age, when your baby will start having more control of his movements.

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• SUCKING reflex: quite self explanatory. This reflex it's linked to routing and breastfeeding and it's another vital response of your baby's neurological system necessary for his survival. Newborns reflexively sucks when the roof of their mouth is touched. Present at birth, it will naturally disappear when reaching 12 months.

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• STEPPING reflex: although newborns are too little to stand and hold their own weight, this reflex it's important to be present and assessed at birth to check proper motor response. Stepping reflex manifest when the baby is being held upright with one of his foot's sole touching a flat surface, triggering him to "attempt walking" by putting one foot in front of the other. This reflex will naturally disappear around 3 months.

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• STARTLE reflex: also called Moro, as named after the pediatrician that discovered it. This reflex manifest as a sudden motor contraction where your infant extend his arms and legs wide open, dropping his head backwards just before curling up on himself, (as if he feel like "falling down"). This reflex it’s present at birth with a pick at around 1 month of age, but your baby will naturally outgrow it by his sixth month of life. In the beginning you'll notice your baby startling multiple times per day, which will often upset him. That's why it's strongly recommended the use of a swaddle during the whole first trimester, (until he start rolling on himself). It's well known that swaddled babies sleep much better, as they feel a sense of safety and comfort they otherwise don't have when left with their limbs hanging all over. A good swaddle will prevent your little one from startling and waking up frequently. As a consequence your baby will be able to reach deeper sleep feeling more rested and active during his feeds. Check out my swaddling post in here to learn more.

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• PALMAR/PLANTAR reflex: this reflex manifest as a flexion, (or grasping) of fingers/toes when an object is placed in the palm of the hand or on the plant of the foot. Present at birth it will disappear at around 5-6 months. The reverse motion can be triggered by stroking the back of the hand/bridge of the foot. 

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• ASYMMETRIC TONIC NECK reflex: manifesting when the baby's head is turned to one side with the arm and leg on that same side extending while the opposite arm is bending. This reflex it's extremely important to prepare your baby's motor coordination and voluntary reaching. Visible form 1 month of age and it should naturally disappear around 4 months.

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• GALANT reflex: named after the Russian neurologist Johann Susman Galant, this is my absolute favourite reflex as it is super cute to watch! Manifesting when you gently stroke the skin in one side your infants back and he will instinctively swing towards that side. Present at birth, this reflex will fade by 5-6 months.

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• BLINKING reflex: triggered by a sudden moving object towards the infant eyes, (or by using a flashlight), this reflex manifest with the sudden closure of your baby's eyelids as a protective response against potential harm. Crucial to assess infant  visual attentiveness.

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There are few other reflexes which are usually developing later in life, but these are the 8 most relevant reflexes linked to newborns stage that you should constantly monitor to grant your little one proper development.