Infant Reflexes

Palmer Grasp

S - Palm Stimulated

R - 4 fingers (not thumb) close

Duration - 5 months gestation - 4 months postpartum

Integrate - May lead to voluntary reaching/grasping

Sucking

S - Touch of Lips

R - Sucking Action

Duration - in utero - 3 months postpartum

Searching/Rooting

S - Touch Cheek

R - Head Moves Toward stimuli

Duration - prenatal - 3 months postpartum

Moro/Startle

S - Suddenly lower baby’s head

R - Arms and legs extend (Moro) or flex (startle)

Duration - 4-6 months

Integrate - Signify CNS dysfunction

Asymmetric Tonic Neck

S - Prone/supine position, turn head to one side

R - Limbs flex on one side, extend on other side (bow and arrow)

Duration - after birth - 3 months

Integrate - Facilitates hand-eye coordination

Symmetric Tonic Neck

S - Sitting up and tip forward

R - neck and arms flex and legs extend

Duration - after birth - 3 months

Integrate - impede motor skills and causee spinal flexion deformities

Plantar Grasp

S - Touching the ball of foot

R - Toes grasp

Duration - Birth - 1 year

Integrate - must disappear before baby can stand of walk

Babinski

S - Stroke bottom or lateral portion of foot

R - Great toe turns downward

Duration - birth - 4 months

Integrate - Ability to perform conscious/voluntary movement)

Stepping

S - Infant upright withe feet touching surface

R - Legs life and descend

Duration - after birth - 5-6 months

Integrate - essential foreunner to walking

Crawling

S - Prone position on surface, stroke alternate feet

R - Legs and arms move in crawling action

Duration - Birth - 3-4 months

Integrate - precursor to later voluntary creeping

Swimming

S - infant held horizontally

R - Arms and legs move in swimming type action

Duration - 2 weeks after birth - 5 months

Integrate - Recognition of reflex led to popularity of infant swim programs

Head and Body Righting

Supine turn body in either direction

R - Head “rights” itself with the body

Duration - Head: 1-6 months Body: 5 months - 1 year

Integrate - Voluntary rolling movements

Parachuting

S - off balance in upright position

R - Protective movement in dirsection of fall

Duration - 4 months - 1 year

Integrate - markers of neurological development

Labyrinthine

S - Baby held upright, tilted in one direction

R - Baby tilts head in opposite direction

Duration - 2 months - 1 year

Integrate - related to upright posture

Pull-up

S - Sitting/standing, hold hands, tip in one direction

R - Arms flex or extend in to maintain upright position duration - 3 months - 1 years

Integrate - related to upright posture