You may notice your newborn moving in a way that seems jerky and abrupt. Chances are, you're observing infant reflexes, primitive and involuntary movements that wouldn't be typical for older children and adults. For your baby, these are a normal, healthy part of their early development.
Some are self-protective reactions, and others lay the groundwork for practicing skills.
Moro Reflex:Known as the startle response, it occurs when your baby experiences a sudden change in their environment, such as a loud noise, and they feel like they're falling. When triggered, they automatically extend their arms and legs outward before resting again.
Rooting Reflex:When you gently stroke your baby's cheek, they instinctively turn their head and open their mouth, seeking to suckle. This reflex helps your baby find the breast or bottle for feeding.
Grasp Reflex:Place your finger in your baby's palm, and you'll witness their tiny fingers automatically wrap around it. The grasp reflex is a natural response and allows your baby to practice holding onto objects.
Stepping Reflex:When held upright with feet touching a solid surface, newborns will demonstrate a stepping motion, mimicking walking movements.
Tonic Neck Reflex:Often referred to as the "fencing reflex," when your baby's head is turned to one side, causing the arm on that side to extend with the other arm to bend at the elbow. You won't notice this one until closer to 2 months.
Babinski Reflex:When the sole of your baby's foot is stroked, their toes fan out and curl upward. The Babinski reflex is an indicator of a healthy neurological system.
Galant Reflex:If you stroke your baby's back along the spine, they will arch their body toward the side that was touched. This reflex helps with crawling and eventually transitioning to walking.
Infant reflexes gradually fade as your baby becomes stronger and more intentional in their movements.