1.1 Reflexes
Even before a baby is born the construction of the brain is taking place. Have you ever put your finger onto the palm of a new baby? If you have, you will know that their fingers will grasp around yours and hold it tight. This is one of the reflexes that the baby is born with, and it helps them to make those essential early connections with their carers. Babies are born with primitive reflexes that are there to aid the baby’s birth and survival in the first few weeks of life.
| Name of primitive reflex | Description |
| Startle/Moro | When the baby hears a loud noise their arms and legs will extend out and then jerk back in towards their body. |
| Palmer Grip | Using the fingers to tightly grip an object placed in the palm of the hand. |
| Plantar | When the sole of the baby’s foot is stroked their toes will flex upwards and outwards. |
| Sucking | The baby will suck on an object placed into their mouth. |
| Rooting | When the baby’s cheek is stroked they will turn their face in that direction. |
| Stepping | When the baby is held up with their feet on a flat surface they will place one foot in front of the other. |
| Asymmetric Tonic Neck | When the baby’s head is turned to one side the arm and leg on that side will straighten and the arm and leg on the other side will bend. |
These primitive reflexes are usually switched off by the developing brain between 6-12 months. These are replaced by postural reflexes which continue to develop up to three and a half years of age, and once developed they should remain for life. These postural reflexes are movements that help the baby develop their basic motor skills by controlling their balance and body position. If practitioners do not understand the importance of the developing reflexes, they may miss key developments taking place.
Providing opportunities for babies to move is a very important part of supporting reflex development, as each time a baby uses their hands and feet or wriggles, kicks or reaches out, it begins a chain of movement and strengthens connections in the brain. With repetition this allows the baby to move and balance, and you will find out more about how to support this when you look at the importance of ‘tummy time’ in Week 3.