8 Unique Reflexes Exclusively Found in Babies

If you are keen enough in observing your infant, you can very easily take notice of his various distinctive reflexes. Reflexes are spontaneous movements made by infants upon particular stimulation. Some of these actions are spur-of-the-moment responses occurring as part of the child's usual activity. The presence of these reflexes in infants show normal brain, brainstem, and spinal cord functioning. These reflexes, however, happen only in certain periods of development of your child and afterwards disappear as the child matures. Primitive normal reflexes of the baby include:

MORO REFLEX

This is also known as the "startle" reflex, that causes an infant to extend his arms to the sides and swiftly withdraw them back towards the middle of the body, every time he is stimulated by a loud noise, abrupt motion, bright light and various startling stimulus. Even the child's own cry can elicit this reflex. Moro reflex is present at birth and disappears at 4-6 months.

GRASP REFLEX

This reflex causes the baby to tightly close up his hands once you stroke the palm of the baby's hand by an object or a finger. The grasp reflex is much more powerful in premature infants. It is present at birth and commonly disappears at 4-6 months.

ROOTING REFLEX

Once the corner of the mouth of the baby is stroked or touched, the little one normally faces that side, opens his mouth, and attempts to "root" in to whatever it is that trigger the stimulation. This reflex is important for survival simply because it helps the infant find the breast or bottle nipple to start feeding. This is present soon after delivery and disappears at 4-6 months.

SUCK RFLEX

Like the rooting reflex, the suck reflex is also essential for survival. Babies spontaneously start sucking as soon as the roof of their mouth is touched.

STEP REFLEX

Also referred to as the "walking or dance" reflex, this is elicited by holding the little one upright with his feet touching a solid surface and the baby can be seen to take steps. The baby also steps up when the dorsum of the foot is stimulated. This disappears at 4-6 months.

TONIC NECK REFLEX

Observe that once the baby's head is turned to one side, his arm on that side extends and the opposite arm flexes at the elbow. The infant assumes a fencing posture, hence this reflex is also known as the "fencing" reflex

TRUNK INCURVATION REFLEX

This is manifested by withdrawal of the little one from stroking along the ventral side of his body. Existence of trunk incurvation denotes intact spinal cord functioning. This is also present at birth and disappears at 6-9 months.

BABINSKI REFLEX

Babinski reflex is normally observed at birth till about 2 years of age. This is shown by upward extension of the big toe and simultaneous fanning of the other toes when the sole of the foot is firmly stroked. If present in grown ups and young children over 2 years old, brain or spinal cord lesions are highly suspected.

In addition, there is one reflex that is not present at birth and not exclusively seen in babies. It is the Parachute reflex, which emerges only at the age of 6-8 months and never disappears. This reflex causes the child to quickly extend his arms at the same time once he is subjected to a fall simulation.

It is amazing to think that nature has supplied instinctive responses to our little ones for us parents to recognize and appreciate. Learning about these things makes us less apprehensive and more dynamic in our day to day interaction with our child.


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