When you look at your newborn baby, you probably look at some of the little things he does in amazement, right? Sometimes he jumps suddenly, he sucks when you put something in his mouth, he squeezes and holds it when you give him a finger… These are what we call `Newborn Reflexes` or newborn reflexes . These are not things that the baby does consciously, they are spontaneous reactions of the muscles in his body. Strictly speaking, the baby does not control these.
What are these newborn reflexes? Are they important?
Simply put, these reflexes are the involuntary muscle responses your baby's body makes to a stimulus (for example, a gentle tap on the cheek, a loud noise). The baby doesn't control them, they just happen. A newborn baby has very limited control over their body. However, they come into this world with a few innate abilities that help them survive. Many of these reflexes are present before they are even born. These responses originate in a part of the baby's brain called the ``brainstem'' and are related to early development.
Your baby's doctors use these reflexes to assess your baby's health . The presence of these reflexes, and how strong they are, can tell you a lot about the development and functioning of your baby's nervous system . So these aren't just little games, they're important signs of your baby's health .
What are the two main reflexes associated with the mouth?
There are two oral reflexes seen in newborn babies. These are the `Rooting reflex` and the ` Sucking reflex`.
1. Rooting reflex
This is actually a basic instinct that helps a baby survive. This is what helps a baby find the nipple to suckle and take it in the right place. When you gently stroke the baby's cheek or the sides of his mouth with your finger, the baby should turn his head towards your hand. At the same time, he should open his mouth and start making sucking movements. Think of it like a baby finding food.
2. Sucking reflex
This is another important instinct that helps you survive. If you touch something to your baby's mouth, for example, if you put the nipple close to his mouth while breastfeeding , he will automatically start sucking. Although this is a natural reflex, it is not easy. Because your little one has to coordinate breathing, sucking, and swallowing all at once.
These two reflexes are essential for the baby to get the nutrition they need. If they are in place, they will greatly help the baby to drink milk well and grow healthily.
5 more important newborn reflexes
In addition to oral reflexes, your baby should develop several other important reflexes. Let's take a look at what they are.
1. Moro reflex
This is also called the `startle reflex`. Simply put, it is a baby's startle response. This is a protective response to a sudden movement or loud noise. For example, if a baby's head is suddenly moved back a little, or if a baby suddenly hears a loud noise, the baby will get excited and spread his arms and legs to the sides. Then the palms are turned up, and the thumbs are slightly protruding. Sometimes the baby may even cry loudly. When you properly support the baby's head again, he will quickly bring his arms back to his body and calm down.
But here's a little something. Sometimes this `Moro reflex` can look like a condition called `Infantile Spasms` . But the two are completely different. `Infantile Spasms` is actually a type of seizure. So it's best not to confuse the two, right? If in doubt, it's best to ask a doctor.
2. Tonic neck reflex
This is also called the `fencing posture` because it looks like a fencer's stance. This reflex is seen when a baby is sleeping on their back. If you turn their head to one side, the arm on that side will be straight and slightly open. The arm on the other side will be bent and the fist will be clenched. Isn't it amazing?
3. Stepping reflex
This reflex is what helps your baby “crawl” toward your breast when he’s born. If you hold your baby upright and place his feet on a flat surface, he’ll start to “walk” as if he’s taking one step and then the other. It’s so much fun to watch!
4. Babinski reflex
This is a reflex seen in a baby's foot. When you gently stroke the sole of a baby's foot from the heel to the toes, the big toe of the foot will curl up and the other toes will spread out. This reflex was discovered by a neurologist named Joseph Babinski in 1896. That's why it's also called the Babinski sign.
5. Grasping reflex
You must have experienced this. This reflex can be seen in both the baby's arms and legs.
- Palmar grasp: If you place a finger inside your baby's palm, he will immediately grasp it tightly. If you try to pull your finger away, he may even hold on tighter. Isn't this a very loving feeling?
- Plantar grasp: Over time, the Babinski reflex disappears, and is replaced by the Plantar grasp. This is something that lasts into adulthood. If you place your finger under a baby's toes, they will curl their toes and grasp it.
When will these newborn reflexes go away?
Most newborn reflexes gradually disappear between four and six months of age . This is because, as the baby's brain grows, his central nervous system replaces these involuntary reflexes with conscious movements .
For example, the `Moro reflex` and the `Stepping reflex` should disappear by about 2 months. The `Grasping reflex` and the `Tonic neck reflex` may take a little longer to disappear. However, most of these newborn reflexes should be gone by the time your baby is about a year old .
Do all reflexes disappear? Or are there some that persist?
No, not all of them go away. While some newborn reflexes go away in a few weeks or months, others remain throughout our lives. These include:
- Blink reflex: That's what makes us close our eyes when we're suddenly exposed to bright light.
- Sneeze reflex: If something tickles the inside of the nose, we sneeze.
- Yawn reflex: We yawn when our body needs more oxygen.
- Cough reflex: A cough occurs when something is stimulated in the back of our throat or airways.
- Gag reflex: This is what makes us feel nauseous if something hits our throat or the back of our mouth.
These are important reflexes that help protect us and keep our bodies functioning properly.
What is a hyperactive gag reflex in a newborn?
The gag reflex helps us to prevent choking. This reflex can be triggered when objects such as food, spoons, fingers, and toys hit the back of a baby's mouth. It's normal for babies to feel nauseous when they start eating solid foods. Most babies outgrow this nausea as they gradually get used to solid foods.
However, some babies are more sensitive to this `gag reflex`. They may gag very easily and frequently. There are several reasons why a newborn baby may have a `hyperactive gag reflex`:
- Introducing solid foods too early and/or the baby not being ready for solid foods.
- Born prematurely.
- Developmental delays or neurological conditions.
- Inability to sit properly without support.
- Tongue-tie / Ankyloglossia is a problem with the skin under the tongue.
- Acid reflux.
- Difficulty eating.
If you think your baby has this type of hypersensitive gag reflex, be sure to see your family doctor. He or she will refer you to a feeding specialist if necessary.
How do I test my baby's Moro reflex?
You can also try this at home, very carefully. But you need to do it in a way that does not cause any harm to the baby . Have the baby lie down on a soft, well-padded surface (e.g. a bed) in a sitting position, facing up. Slowly lift the baby's head slightly, then release it suddenly (for about a second), but quickly support the head again. Never let the baby's head hit a hard surface.
If your baby has a normal `Moro reflex`, he will have a startled, frightened look on his face. He will spread his arms out to the sides, turn his palms up, and curl his thumbs. He may even cry. When you support his head again, he will bring his arms back to his body, bend his elbows, and calm down.
Do newborn babies have an imitation reflex?
Researchers used to think that newborn babies could imitate adults, a reflex called the ``imitation reflex.'' That is, if we make a face, the baby will do the same. However, new research has shown that there is no evidence to prove that such an imitation reflex exists.
In the newborn stage, babies' movements and actions are largely random, meaning they happen spontaneously. They are reflexive responses to the world around them. They are not deliberate imitations. So if your baby seems to smile when you smile, that's cute, but it's probably not an exact imitation.
Remember a few very important things (Take-Home Message)
Your baby comes into this world with a set of natural reflexes that will help him survive the first few weeks and months of his life. Your baby's doctor will check these reflexes to see if they are present and strong. This is very important to know about the healthy development of your baby's nervous system.
As your baby grows, learns new things, and becomes more independent, some of these reflexes will naturally disappear. But remember, not all babies are the same. Your baby will develop and lose these reflexes at their own pace.
If you ever have any concerns or worries about your baby's development or these reflexes, please talk to your family doctor. Don't make decisions based on what you read on the internet. It's always best to seek medical advice.
Being aware of these amazing abilities of your little one will help you understand him a lot.
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