Babies are pretty darn smart right from the start.

In fact, from day one

they instinctively know how to grasp a finger and root for the breast,
along with several other reflexes that your babys pediatrician will check
on his first day or two of life (and at subsequent well-baby checkups).
These include:
Root reflex

Trigger: A gentle stroke on the newborns cheek

Response: Baby turns toward the touch, with mouth open

Duration: Until baby is three to four months old (sometimes, babies

continue doing this in their sleep past four months old)

Reason: Helps baby find food

Suck reflex

Trigger: Something, such as a nipple (breast or bottle) or parents

finger, touching roof of babys mouth

Response: Baby sucks on nipple

Duration: Three to four months

Reason: Helps baby eat

Moro reflex (also called startle reflex)

Trigger : Loud noise (even babys own cry!), sudden movement, or

sensation of falling

Response: Baby cries and extends legs, arms, and fingers, arches
back, then retracts arms and legs

Duration: Until baby is four to six months old

Reason: Babys first attempts to protect himself from harm

If baby startles himself awake: Try swaddling him to make him feel
more secure

Babinskis reflex

Trigger: A gentle stroke on the sole of the foot (from heel to toe)

Response: Foot turns in and toes flare up

Duration: Six to 24 months

Reason: Perhaps an attempt to protect against falling

Walking (or stepping) reflex

Trigger: Holding baby upright with his feet on a flat surface

Response: Baby lifts one foot, then the other, as if walking

Duration: About two months

Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for walking several

months from now

Tonic neck reflex

Trigger: Lying on his back with head turned to one side

Response: The arm on that side extends, while the opposite arm
bends at the elbow (a fencing position)

Duration: About six months (sometimes not present until two months
of age)

Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary reaching

later

Grasp (or palmar grasp) reflex

Trigger: Pressing a finger or other object, such as a rattle, into babys

palm

Response: Baby makes a fist and tries to grab finger

Duration: Three to four months

Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary grasping

later

Fun fact: Babys grip can be strong enough to support his entire body
weight

Infants are born with a surprising number of unlearned (innate) reflexes,

that is, unlearned responses to stimuli.

The Moro reflex is an outstretching of the arms and legs in response to a

loud noise or sudden change in the environment. The infant's body tenses;
arms are extended and then drawn inward as if embracing.

The Babinski reflex is an outward projection of the big toe and fanning of
the others when the sole of the foot is touched.

The sucking reflex occurs when an object touches the lips.

The rooting reflex is the turning of an infant's head toward a stimulus such
as a breast or hand.

The grasping reflex is the vigorous grasping of an object that touches the
palm.

The plantar reflex is the curling under of the toes when the ball of the foot
is touched. Physicians sometimes use these reflexes to assess the rate of
development. Gradually, learned responses replace the reflex actions as an
infant becomes more responsive to the environment.

1. Rooting Reflex: when touched on the cheek, the baby will turn
their head towards the touch.
2. Sucking Reflex: the baby will suck on anything put in their mouth.
3. Grasping Reflex: when something is placed in the palm of hand or
foot, the baby will try to grab hold of it.
4. Moro Reflex: when startled, the baby will flail out its arms and
legs, then retract them, making herself as small as possible.
5. Babinski Reflex: when baby's foot is stroked, he or she will
spread their toes.

What Kind of Reflexes Are There?

There are many different reflexes. Some of the most common reflexes that babies have
are:
Rooting Reflex: The rooting reflex is most evident when an infant's cheek is
stroked. The baby responds by turning his or her head in the direction of the touch and
opening their mouth for feeding.
Gripping Reflex: Babies will grasp anything that is placed in their palm. The
strength of this grip is strong, and most babies can support their entire weight in their
grip.
Toe Curling Reflex: When the inner sole of a babys foot is stroked, the infant
will respond by curling his or her toes. When the outer sole of a babys foot is stroked,
the infant will respond by spreading out their toes.
Stepping Reflex: When an infant is held upright with his or her feet placed on a
surface, he or she will lift their legs as if they are marching or stepping.
Sucking Reflex: The sucking reflex is initiated when something touches the roof
of an infants mouth. Infants have a strong sucking reflex which helps to ensure they can
latch onto a bottle or breast. The sucking reflex is very strong in some infants and they
may need to suck on a pacifier for comfort.
Startle/Moro Reflex: Infants will respond to sudden sounds or movements by
throwing their arms and legs out, and throwing their heads back. Most infants will
usually cry when startled and proceed to pull their limbs back into their bodies.
Galant Reflex: The galant reflex is shown when an infants middle or lower back
is stroked next to the spinal cord. The baby will respond by curving his or her body
toward the side which is being stroked.
Tonic Neck Reflex: The tonic neck reflex is demonstrated in infants who are
placed on their abdomens. Whichever side the childs head is facing, the limbs on that
side will straighten, while the opposite limbs will curl.

Newborn-Reflexes
What reflexes should be present in a newborn?
Reflexes are involuntary movements or actions. Some movements
are spontaneous, occurring as part of the baby's usual activity.
Others are responses to certain actions. Reflexes help identify
normal brain and nerve activity. Some reflexes occur only in
specific periods of development. The following are some of the
normal reflexes seen in newborn babies:

Root reflex. This reflex begins when the corner of the

baby's mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his or her
head and open his or her mouth to follow and "root" in the
direction of the stroking. This helps the baby find the breast or
bottle to begin feeding.

Suck reflex. Rooting helps the baby become ready to suck.

When the roof of the baby's mouth is touched, the baby will begin
to suck. This reflex does not begin until about the 32nd week of
pregnancy and is not fully developed until about 36 weeks.
Premature babies may have a weak or immature sucking ability
because of this. Babies also have a hand-to-mouth reflex that
goes with rooting and sucking and may suck on fingers or hands.

Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is often called a startle reflex

because it usually occurs when a baby is startled by a loud sound
or movement. In response to the sound, the baby throws back his
or her head, extends out the arms and legs, cries, then pulls the
arms and legs back in. A baby's own cry can startle him or her
and trigger this reflex. This reflex lasts about 5 to 6 months.

Tonic neck reflex. When a baby's head is turned to one

side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm
bends up at the elbow. This is often called the "fencing" position.
The tonic neck reflex lasts about 6 to 7 months.

Grasp reflex. Stroking the palm of a baby's hand causes

the baby to close his or her fingers in a grasp. The grasp reflex
lasts until about 5 to 6 months of age.

Babinski reflex. When the sole of the foot is firmly stroked,

the big toe bends back toward the top of the foot and the other
toes fan out. This is a normal reflex up to about 2 years of age.

Step reflex. This reflex is also called the walking or dance

reflex because a baby appears to take steps or dance when held
upright with his or her feet touching a solid surface.

Infant reflexes
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A reflex is a muscle reaction that happens automatically in response to stimulation. Certain sensations
or movements produce specific muscle responses.
Considerations
The presence and strength of a reflex is an important sign of nervous system development and
function.
Many infant reflexes disappear as the child grows older, although some remain throughout adulthood.
A reflex that is still present after the age when it would normally disappear can be a sign of brain or
nervous system damage.
Infant reflexes are responses that are normal in infants, but abnormal in other age groups. These
include:

Moro reflex

Sucking reflex (sucks when area around mouth is touched).

Startle reflex (pulling arms and legs in after hearing loud noise).

Step reflex (stepping motions when sole of foot touches hard surface).

Other infant reflexes include:

Tonic neck reflex. This reflex occurs when the head of child who is relaxed and lying face up is
moved to the side. The arm on the side where the head is facing reaches away from the body with the
hand partly open. The arm on the side away from the face is flexed and the fist is clenched tightly.
Turning the baby's face in the other direction reverses the position. The tonic neck position is often
described as the fencer's position because it looks like a fencer's stance.

Truncal incurvation or Galant reflex. This reflex occurs the side of the infants spine is stroked or
tapped while the infant lies on the stomach. The infant will twitch his or her hips toward the touch in a
dancing movement.
Grasp reflex. This reflex occurs if you place a finger on the infant's open palm. The hand will close
around the finger. Trying to remove the finger causes the grip to tighten. Newborn infants have strong
grasps and can almost be lifted up if both hands are grasping your fingers.
Rooting reflex. This reflex occurs when the baby's cheek is stroked. The infant will turn toward the
side that was stroked and begin to make sucking motions.
Parachute reflex. This reflex occurs in slightly older infants when the child is held upright and the
babys body is rotated quickly to face forward (as in falling). The baby will extend his arms forward as
if to break a fall, even though this reflex appears long before the baby walks.
Examples of reflexes that last into adulthood are:

Blinking reflex -- blinking the eyes when they are touched or when a sudden bright light
appears

Cough reflex -- coughing when the airway is stimulated

Gag reflex -- gagging when the throat or back of the mouth is stimulated

Sneeze reflex -- sneezing when the nasal passages are irritated

Yawn reflex - yawning when the body needs more oxygen

Definition: The sucking reflex is probably one of the most important reflexes your
newborn has, especially when you pair it with the rooting reflex. If you touch the roof
of your babys mouth with your finger, a pacifier or a nipple, he will instinctively begin
sucking. Around 2 to 3 months of age, your babys sucking will be a result of
conscious effort and no longer a reflex.
Be aware that every time your baby exhibits this reflex, it doesnt necessarily mean
that hes hungry. Sucking is a soothing, enjoyable activity for your baby all by itself.
One reason some mothers may get a slow start breastfeeding has to do with this
reflex. Its not just the nipple that that needs to go into your babys mouth, but a fair
amount of your areola as well. If you just have the tip of your nipple in his mouth, it

may not be far enough back to stimulate this sucking reflex. In addition, the milk
sinuses wont be properly compressed by your babys tongue and jaw.
If your baby is not exhibiting this reflex, call your health care provider or a lactation
consultant immediately.