Understanding Your Newborn's Reflexes
Your newborn arrives with an impressive set of built-in reflexes—automatic responses to certain stimuli that they do without thinking. These reflexes aren't just fascinating to observe; they serve important survival purposes and give healthcare providers clues about your baby's neurological health.
What Are Newborn Reflexes? AAP
Reflexes are involuntary movements or actions that occur in response to specific stimulation. They're controlled by the primitive parts of the brain and spinal cord, not conscious thought.
Why reflexes matter:
- They help baby survive (like rooting to find food)
- They indicate healthy brain development
- Pediatricians check them at well-child visits
- Their presence and disappearance follow predictable patterns
Important to know:
- All healthy newborns have these reflexes
- They disappear at predictable ages
- Absence or persistence beyond normal times may indicate issues
- Your pediatrician monitors reflexes at checkups
Major Newborn Reflexes AAP
### Rooting Reflex
What it is: When you stroke your baby's cheek or corner of mouth, they turn their head toward the touch and open their mouth.
Purpose: Helps baby find the breast or bottle for feeding.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 3-4 months (becomes voluntary head-turning)
### Sucking Reflex
What it is: When something touches the roof of baby's mouth, they begin sucking.
Purpose: Essential for feeding—whether breast or bottle.
When it appears: Present at birth (actually develops before birth)
When it fades: Doesn't really fade—becomes voluntary sucking
Note: Premature babies may have weak sucking reflexes that strengthen with time.
### Moro (Startle) Reflex
What it is: When baby feels sudden movement, loud noise, or loss of support, they throw out their arms and legs, extend their neck, then bring arms together and may cry.
Purpose: May have helped babies cling to mothers; now signals normal development.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 3-6 months
This is normal when: Baby startles during sleep, when laid down too quickly, or with sudden noises. It often wakes them up.
### Grasp Reflex
What it is: When you press your finger into baby's palm, they grip tightly. (Also occurs with toes—the plantar grasp.)
Purpose: May be evolutionary remnant for clinging to mother.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 5-6 months for hands; 9-12 months for feet
Fun fact: The grip can be surprisingly strong!
### Stepping (Walking) Reflex
What it is: When you hold baby upright with feet touching a flat surface, they make stepping motions like walking.
Purpose: May be preparing neural pathways for later walking.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 2 months (reappears as intentional walking around 12 months)
### Tonic Neck Reflex (Fencing Position)
What it is: When baby's head turns to one side, the arm on that side extends while the opposite arm bends—like a fencer's pose.
Purpose: May help develop hand-eye coordination.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 5-7 months
Note: This reflex is why baby shouldn't sleep on their side—it can affect arm position.
### Babinski Reflex
What it is: When you stroke the sole of baby's foot from heel to toe, toes fan out and big toe extends.
Purpose: Normal in infants; in adults would indicate neurological problem.
When it appears: Present at birth
When it fades: 12-24 months (then toes should curl downward when foot is stroked)
Less Common Reflexes to Know
### Galant (Truncal Incurvation) Reflex
What it is: When you stroke beside baby's spine, they curve toward that side.
Purpose: May help baby navigate the birth canal.
When it fades: 4-6 months
### Crawling Reflex
What it is: When placed on tummy, baby makes crawling movements.
Purpose: Precursor to later crawling.
When it fades: 3-4 months
### Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Same as tonic neck reflex—the fencing position.
What Pediatricians Look For AAP
At well-child visits, your pediatrician will check reflexes as part of the neurological exam.
They're assessing:
- Are reflexes present and strong?
- Are they symmetrical (same on both sides)?
- Do they appear and disappear on schedule?
Potential concerns:
- Reflex absent when it should be present
- Reflex persisting beyond when it should fade
- Reflex stronger on one side than other
- Very weak or exaggerated reflexes
If there's a concern:
- Doctor will do additional assessment
- May recheck at next visit
- May refer to specialist if needed
- Don't panic—variations are often normal
Common Questions About Reflexes
"Is my baby's startle reflex too strong?"
Some babies have more pronounced startle reflexes than others. If it's disrupting sleep excessively, swaddling can help. Discuss with your pediatrician if concerned.
"My baby grasps my hair so tight it hurts!"
That's the grasp reflex working well! Gently uncurl their fingers rather than pulling.
"Baby makes stepping motions—will they walk early?"
The stepping reflex doesn't predict early walking. It's a primitive reflex that disappears before intentional walking develops.
"Should I practice reflexes with my baby?"
You don't need to "practice," but it's fine to observe them for fun. Some reflexes can help with feeding (rooting) and bonding (grasping).
The Bottom Line
Your newborn's reflexes are amazing examples of built-in programming that help them survive and thrive. They're also important indicators of healthy neurological development. Enjoy observing these fascinating responses while they last—they'll soon be replaced by intentional, voluntary movements as your baby grows.
Clara is here to answer questions about your newborn's development and reflexes.