NEWBORN

REFLEXES
NCM 107 – MATERNAL &
CHILD NURSING
TERMINOLOGY
Newborn usually refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age.
Neonate is also called a newborn. The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of a
child's life.
Infants can be considered children anywhere from birth to 1 year old.
Baby can be used to refer to any child from birth to age 4 years old, thus
encompassing newborns, infants, and toddlers.
A newborn is, in colloquial use, an infant who is only hours, days, or up to one
month old. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate (from Latin, neonatus,
newborn) refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth; the term applies
to premature, full term, and postmature infants.
 A REFLEX is a muscle reaction that happens automatically in response to
stimulation. Certain sensations or movements produce specific muscle
responses.
SUCKING RELEX
 The sucking reflex develops when a baby is still in the womb. The earliest
it develops is in week 32 of pregnancy.
 The sucking reflex actually
happens in two stages. When a
nipple — either from a breast or
bottle — is placed in the baby’s
mouth, they’ll automatically
start sucking.
 The next stage happens when
the baby moves their tongue to
the nipple to suck, essentially
milking the breast. This action is
also called expression.
ROOTING REFLEX
 This reflex starts when the
corner of the baby's mouth is
stroked or touched.
 The baby will turn their head
and open their mouth to
follow and root in the direction
of the stroking.
 This helps the baby find the
breast or bottle to start
feeding.
 This reflex lasts about 3-4
months.
MORO REFLEX
 The Moro reflex is also known as
the “startle” reflex”. You may notice your
baby throwing their hands and legs up in
response to unexpected noises or
movements. After extending the limbs,
your baby will then contract them.
 The Moro reflex is sometimes
accompanied by crying.
 It can also affect your baby’s sleep, by
waking them up. Swaddling can
sometimes help reduce the Moro reflex
while your baby is sleeping.
 The Moro reflex usually disappears
around 5 to 6 months.
TONIC NECK REFLEX
 The asymmetrical tonic neck, or “fencing
reflex” happens when your baby’s head is
turned to one side.
 It is often described as the fencer's position
because it looks like a fencer's stance.
o For example, if their head is turned to
the left, the left arm will stretch out and
the right arm will bend at the elbow.
 To test for tonic neck:
o Gently turn your baby’s head to one
side.
o Watch for their arm movement.
 This reflex usually disappears around 6 to 7
months.
GRASP REFLEX
 This reflex occurs if you place a finger on the
infant's open palm. The hand will close
around the finger.
 The grasp reflex allows babies to
automatically grasp onto your finger or small
toys when they’re placed in their palm.
 It develops in utero, usually around 25 weeks
after conception.
 To test for this reflex:
o Firmly stroke the palm of your baby’s
hand.
o They should grasp onto your finger.
 The grasp may be quite strong, and it typically
lasts until the baby is 5 to 6 months old.
BABINSKI REFLEX
 The Babinski reflex, also called the
plantar reflex, is commonly tested soon
after birth and during routine wellness
check-ups.
 The Babinski reflex happens when a
baby’s sole is firmly stroked. This
causes the big toe to bend toward the
top of the foot. The other toes will also
splay out. To test:
o Firmly stroke the bottom of your
baby’s foot.
o Watch their toes fan out.
 This reflex usually goes away by the
time your child is 2 years old.
STEP REFELX
 The step or “dance” reflex can make
your baby appear to be able to walk
(with assistance) shortly after birth.
 To test:
 Hold your baby upright over a flat,
firm surface.
 Place your baby’s feet on the
surface.
 Continue providing full support to
your baby’s body and head, and
watch as they take a few steps.
 This reflex usually disappears around 2
months.
 Reflex Description Appears Disappears
By 36 weeks of pregnancy; seen in
Baby sucks when the roof of their mouth is
Sucking most newborn babies, but may be 4 months
touched; may also bring hand to mouth
delayed in premature babies
Baby turns head when mouth is stroked or Seen in most newborn babies, but
Rooting 4 months
touched may be delayed in premature babies
Baby extends arms and legs, and throws
Moro or Seen in most term and premature
back head in response to loud noise or 5 to 6 months
startle babies
sudden movement
When baby’s head is turned to one side,
Seen in most term and premature
Tonic neck the arm on the same side stretches out; 6 to 7 months
babies
the other arm bends at the elbow
Baby grasps when palm is stroked by By 26 weeks of pregnancy; seen in
Grasp 5 to 6 months
object, like a caregiver’s finger most term and premature babies
Baby’s big toe bends backward and toes Seen in most term and premature
Babinski 2 years
splay when the sole of their foot is stroked babies
Baby “walks” or dances when held upright Seen in most term and premature
Step 2 months
with feet touching a solid surface babies
EXTRUSION REFLEX ( SPITTING UP)
 The extrusion or tongue-thrust reflex
helps protect babies from choking or
aspirating food and other foreign objects
and helps them to latch onto a nipple.
 You can see this reflex in action when
their tongue is touched or depressed in
any way by a solid and semisolid object,
like a spoon.
 In response, a baby’s tongue will thrust
out of their mouth to prevent anything
but a nipple from a breast or bottle from
coming through.
 Disappear at about 4- 6 months
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.
 The parachute reflex typically develops
when your baby is between 5 and 9 months
old.
 One test for the parachute reflex is as
follows:
o Hold your baby upright.
o Quickly but gently rotate baby’s body to
face forward and downward as if they
were falling.
o Your baby will extend their arms
forward, often with their fingers spread,
as if they were trying to cushion or
break the fall.
 While some reflexes go away as your baby
grows up, this one is maintained throughout
life.
Blinking reflex: blinking the eyes when they are touched or when a sudden
bright light appears
Cough reflex: coughing when the airway is stimulated
Gag reflex: gagging when the throat or back of the mouth is stimulated
Sneeze reflex: sneezing when the nasal passages are irritated
Yawn reflex: yawning when the body needs more oxygen

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