Newborn
INFANT REFLEXES
By Dana Sullivan
Until your newborn can think for himself, most of his movements, from
kicking to sucking, are purely reflexive. But by three months, you'll
notice that he's able to control many of the actions that are now
random. The presence of some basic instincts tell
pediatricians that a baby's central nervous system is functioning
properly. And even though newborns are wired with more than 70
reflexes, pediatricians typically check for just a few. If you don't
see evidence of the following common reflexes, or if they're noticeably
slower than they should be, let your child's doctor know.
- Rooting
Rooting is a
reflex that prompts a newborn to look for food. When he feels you
stroke his cheek, or feels your nipple against his cheek, he
automatically turns toward the sensation and moves his head from side
to side, searching until he connects with the breast or bottle. Within
about three weeks, he'll be able to voluntarily turn his head and move
his mouth into position without first doing the search.
- Startle (a.k.a. Moro)
When a baby throws his arms
and legs out to his sides and then pulls his arms in close to his chest
he's demonstrating the startle, or Moro, reflex. Move your baby
suddenly, and he'll demonstrate this reflex. He'll also startle in
response to changes in temperature -- such as when you undress him --
and to loud noises. The startle reflex generally disappears by two
months.
- Stepping
At his most recent check-up, you probably
noticed the pediatrician hold your baby upright, with her hands tucked
under baby's armpits and her thumbs supporting his head. She was
actually testing your baby's stepping reflex -- checking to see if he
responded to being held in this position by lifting his feet up and
down, almost as if he were trying to walk. This reflex tells the
pediatrician that a baby's spinal cord and brain stem are functioning
normally. Babies usually stop stepping by about six to eight weeks.
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About The Author
Dana Sullivan is a frequent contributor to Your Baby Today and also writes for Fit Pregnancy, Parenting, and Self. She's mom to Liam, 4, and Julia, 2.
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