Newborn Reflexes
What are Newborn Reflexes?
Newborn reflexes are sudden involuntary actions which are inborn. Newborn reflexes occur in response to a particular form of stimulation. There are many newborn reflexes. Most newborn reflexes last over a specific period of development and then disappear, being replaced by fine motor skills and gross motor skills - the skills which are voluntary actions and no more involuntary responses to stimuli.
Video on Primitive Reflexes
Kinds of Newborn Reflexes
Following is a list of newborn reflexes found in a baby and their uses:
| Name | Kinds of newborn reflexes | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Eye blink reflex | When a bright light is shone upon the eyes of an infant, he responds to the stimulus by closing the eyelids immediately. | Protects the baby's eyes against strong stimulation. It is permanent. |
| Rooting reflex | When the baby gets distracted while being fed, a gentle stroke on the cheek near the mouth makes him to turn the head toward the stimulus and open his mouth to be fed. | Helps baby find the nipple. Becomes voluntary head turning in about a month. |
| Sucking reflex | If you place your finger in infant's mouth he begins to suck the finger rhythmically. | This reflex helps in feeding. Lasts for 4 months and is replaced by voluntary sucking. |
| Moro reflex | Also known as startle reflex. This occurs in response to a loud unexpected noise or when the infant feels like he is falling. When stimulated, infant has a startled look, arches head back, throws out the arms sideways, extends his legs and cries,then brings the arms back towards the body. | Present in all infants upto 4 or 5 months. Absence of this reflex indicates a serious disorder of the motor system. |
| Palmar grasp reflex | Placing your finger in the baby's palm causes the baby to close his fingers in a grasping manner. | Lasts for 2 months. Premature babies show stronger grasping reflex than normal babies. |
| Tonic neck reflex | Babies lie on their backs with head turned to one side. One arm is extended in front of the baby's eyes, on the side to which the head is turned. And the other arm is bent at the elbow. The baby is said to be in fencing position. In this position, the baby steadily looks at the hand in front of the eyes. The reflex encourages the baby to combine vision with arm movements and reach for objects. | Prepares the baby for voluntary reaching. Lasts for 4 months. |
| Stepping reflex | When the baby is held under arm and the foot is allowed to touch a solid surface the baby lifts one foot after another appearing to take steps. | Prepares the baby for voluntary walking. It is a permanent reflex. | Babinski reflex | If sole of the foot is stroked from toe to heel, toes spread out and curl and foot twists inwards. | It is a sign of neurological abnormality. |
Video on Rooting Reflex
Video on Sucking Reflex
Video on Grasp Response
Video on Tonic Neck Reflex
Video on Walking Reflex
Video on Pull to Sit
Testing Newborn Reflexes
To test if the child's newborn reflexes are functioning properly, a test named Apgar test is used. It is the first test given to a baby within minutes of his birth. This test is performed in two phases - first at one minute after birth and at five minutes after birth. This is to assess the baby's health in the most important minutes after birth. Five characteristics are taken into consideration in the Apgar test to assess the general health of the baby. One among these characteristics is the testing of newborn reflexes. Testing of newborn reflex is done by stimulating the sole of the foot of the baby. On stimulation if the baby cries the maximum point of 2 is awarded. If the baby shows a distressing face 1 point is awarded and no points if the baby shows no response. The total score for the check of all five characteristics is 10. If the baby gets a score of between 8 and 10, then the baby is said to be in good condition. If you understand the scoring process you can ask your doctor in what aspects the baby did not score maximum points and thereby know what the doctor is concerned about.
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