Infant Reflexes

Peds

Reflex

An involuntary or automatic response to a stimulus that looks like a movement or an action

Primative Reflexes

Reflexes that are present at or after birth that tend to occur in a predictable fashion that typically integrates through the first year of life.

Moro reflex

occurs when baby is startled by loud noise or by movement and the baby responds by throwing back head, extending out arms and legs, crying and then bringing arms and legs back in.

(birth- 2-5 months)

Rooting reflex

Baby turns head and opens its mouth to follow the direction of a stroke or touch in the corner of the baby’s mouth to help find the nipple

(lasts from birth-4 months)

Suck Reflex

When the roof of the babys mouth is touched the baby will begin to suck. Accompanied by automatic swallowing as liquid enters the mouth (this reflex pairing is called suck- swallow) Babies also have hand-to-mouth reflex that pairs with rooting and sucking, may suck on fingers and hands

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex( ATNR)-- or fencing position

When baby’s head is turned to the side, the arm on that side extends out and the opposite arm bends at the elbow

Integrates at 4 months but no later than 7

Babinski

When lateral plantar sole of foot is firmly stroked from bottom to top, big toe extended and other toes fan out. Test for cortical spinal tract checking for myelination.

Present at birth and usually integrates at 12 months

Galant Reflex

Hold baby suspended in prone so that the babys back should be bare so you can see the skin wrinkling. Gently stroke side of back with one finger from shoulder to butt and the baby should flex the trunk laterally. Youll see the skin wrinkle along the side you stroked.

Present at birth and integrates around 2 months

Grasp Reflex

Stroking palm of baby’s hand causes hand to close in a grasp. There is also a similar grasp reflex in toes which usually integrates between 9-12 months

Present at birth and lasts 5-6 months

Stepping Reflex– or walking/dancing reflex

When baby is held upright with feet touching the solid ground, baby appears to take walk or steps

Present at birth and usually disappears around 2 months

Downward Parachute (protective extension downward)

Hold infant in vertical suspension and then rapidly lower them towards the ground (simulate falling feet first) the infant’s lower extremities exgend towards the ground

The purpose is to help land on your feet and it emerges around 4 months (does not integrate)

Sideward Parachute (sideward righting reflex)

Tip seated infant off-balance to the side and then catch them. The arms will extend and abduct to the side.

Emerges around 7 months and will persist the rest of your life

Backward Parachute

Tip seated infant off balance backward. The baby will rotate to one side and then extend backwards.

It helps keep you from falling backward onto your head from sitting and Emerges from 9-10 months and persists