ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F.

BSN 2A

Different reflexes in newborn, infant & young children.

NEWBORN REFLEXES
The Moro reflex causes the baby to cry, throw back
his or her head, and then pull his or her limbs into the
body.

The Tonic reflex is often called the "fencing" reflex

because of the position of the hands.

• 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.
• Health care providers check reflexes to determine if the brain and nervous system are working
well.
• Some reflexes occur only in specific periods of development. If the baby was born
prematurely, don’t compare his or her development to that of full-term newborns. Premature
babies are often developmentally behind full-term babies.

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.
 This reflex lasts about four months.
ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A

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.
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. This reflex lasts until the
baby is about 5 to 6 months old.
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 until the baby is about 5 to 6 months old.
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 the baby is about 5 to 6 months old.

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 normal reflex lasts until the child is about 2 years of age.

Stepping 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. This reflex lasts about two
months.
Reflex Stimulation Response Age of Function
ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A Disappearance

Eye blink Shine bright Infant quickly Permanent Protects

light at eyes or closes eyelids infant from
clap hand near strong
head stimulation

Rooting Stroke cheek Head turns 3 weeks Helps infant

near corner of toward source of (becomes find the nipple
mouth stimulation voluntary head
turning at this
time)

Sucking Place finger in Infant sucks Replaced by Permits

infant’s mouth finger voluntary sucking feeding
rhythmically after 4 months

Swimming Place infant Infant paddles 4-6 months Helps infant

face down in and kicks in survive if
pool of water swimming motion dropped into
water

Moro Hold infant Infant makes an 6 months In human

horizontally on “embracing” evolutionary
back and let motion by past, may
head drop arching back, have helped
slightly, or extending legs, infant cling to
produce a throwing arms mother
sudden loud outward, and
sound against then bringing
surface arms in toward
supporting the body
infant
ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A

Palmar Place finger in Spontaneous 3-4 months Prepares

grasp infant’s hand grasp of finger infant for
and press voluntary
against palm grasping

Tonic Turn infant’s Infant lies in a 4 months May prepare

neck head to one “fencing infant for
side while he is position”. One voluntary
lying awake on arm is extended reaching
back in front of eyes
on side to which
head is turned,
other arm is
flexed

Stepping Hold infant Infant lifts one 2 months in Prepares

under arms and foot after another infants who gain infant for
permit bare feet in stepping weight quickly; voluntary
to touch a flat response sustained in walking
surface lighter infants

Babinski Stroke sole of Toes fan out and 8-12 months Unknown
foot from toe curl as foot twists
toward heel in
ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A

INFANT REFLEXES
A reflex is a muscle reaction that happens automatically in response to stimulation. Certain
sensations or movements produce specific muscle responses.
Normal Reflexes seen in Infants:
TONIC NECK REFLEX
This reflex occurs when the head of a 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 when the side of the infant's spine is stroked or tapped while the infant lies on
the stomach. The infant will twitch their 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 baby's 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.
 ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A

YOUNG CHILDREN REFLEXES

Age Gross motor Fine motor Language Social/Cognitive

1.5  Starts to  Stacks up to 4  Knows 10–50  Plays pretend

years run blocks words
 Uses spoon
and cup
 ALCANTARA, Nikah Pauline F. BSN 2A

2  Walks up  Stacks up to 6  Knows ≥ 50 words  Engages in parallel play (2–3

years and blocks (number years)
 Uses sentences of
downstairs, of blocks = age
up to 2 words  Moves away and comes back
stepping in years x 3)
to the parent
with both
 Draws a line
feet on  Follows 2-step commands
each step
 Removes clothes
 Kicks ball
 Jumps

3  Alternates  Stacks up to 9  Mostly  Understands gender difference

years feet when blocks intelligible speech
 Brushes teeth and grooms self
walking up
 Copies a circle  Knows ≥ 300
and down  Has bladder and bowel control
words, understands
the stairs (however, bed-wetting until 5
> 1000 words
years of age is considered
 Pedals a
 Uses sentences of normal )
tricycle
up to 3 words
 Plays away from parents

4  Hops on  Copies a  Tells complex  Plays cooperatively

years one foot square stories
 May have imaginary friends
 Catches  Can identify some
and throws colors and
ball numbers
overhand

5  Skips  Copies a  Speaks fluently  Learns how to read

years triangle
 Walks  Counts 10 or more  Understands directions (left
backwards  Can tie things and right)
shoelaces
 Uses sentences of  Plays dress up
 Can write up to 5 words
some letters