Reflexes are fast, automatic reactions that–in general–help keep you safe. They can also be quite informative when it comes to your health and wellness–especially for infants. Infant reflexes are often small or subtle in nature, but measuring them can help your child’s pediatrician better understand your infant’s nervous system. So don’t be surprised when your baby’s pediatrician evaluates these reflexes regularly during routine wellness visits.

Many of these reflexes are unique to infants and will disappear in a matter of months (though there are certainly some reflexes that also last well into adulthood). For parents, it’s important to understand that these reflexes are not conscious actions on the part of your baby–and as a result, you should not feel compelled to practice them or somehow try to improve your infant’s performance. Lack of reflexes is itself not a cause for panic–though it may indicate several concerning conditions and will certainly be something your baby’s pediatrician will want to examine more thoroughly.

There are many reasons why some reflexes may be slow to develop or missing entirely. But the presence of strong reflexes indicates that your baby’s nervous system is developing in a healthy way. 

Why Do Infants Have Reflexes?

Reflexes are a fascinating evolutionary adaptation. Adult reflexes, for example, exist to help protect us from things that happen very quickly–too quickly for our brain to adequately process what’s happening. These faster-than-thinking responses are built into our nervous systems and generally aren’t considered to be conscious reactions. In adults, one common reflex is the startle reflex. This is the reflex that makes you jump out of your seat when something scary happens at the movies.

But self-protection is not the only reason we have reflexes. For infants especially, reflexes can help with basic functions, such as moving or nursing. Most research suggests that more robust conscious thinking develops in newborns around the five month mark. These reflexes help to keep your baby happy and healthy in the meantime, giving their brain and neurological functions time to develop. Which also means that most of these infant-specific reflexes are temporary and will go away sometime during your baby’s first year.

Reflexes are not something that infants (or parents) can control, consciously or otherwise. They are completely automatic and many of them also have very specific triggers. That’s why infant reflexes are typically tested only in a medical setting and only by your baby’s pediatrician. Parents may be encouraged to watch for these reflexes during your baby’s first weeks–but infant reflexes are not necessarily something parents should be trying to evaluate on their own. 

What Are Infant Reflexes Used For?

Most infant reflexes develop very early. Some have even been observed on ultrasound images while the fetus is in the womb. And because they develop so early (earlier than your baby’s more robust thinking skills), they provide an excellent window into your infant’s neurological health.

In other words, pediatricians are especially interested in measuring your infant’s reflexes not because of the reflexes themselves–but because of what they represent. Strong or regular reflexes are a good indication that your infant’s nervous system is developing normally. Lack of reflexes or weak reflexes do not necessarily indicate a problem on their own. But atypical responses can indicate some concerning conditions, including those that impact the central nervous systems. 

If you have questions about what pediatricians are looking for when they test infant reflexes, you can always ask those questions during your baby’s wellness visit. Reflexes are generally tested very soon after birth, during your newborn’s first wellness visit.

Common Reflexes in Newborns

Infant-specific reflexes are sometimes known as “primitive reflexes.” That’s because they originate in the brainstem at birth–they’re with us from the very beginning.

Newborns will typically present a variety of reflexes. Each reflex has its own unique purpose (and trigger). 

The following list of reflexes is not exhaustive, but it should provide parents with a good sense of the common reflexes that pediatricians will often test or evaluate. Knowing what to expect can often help parents feel more at ease with the process of encouraging and triggering infant reflexes in a healthcare setting.

Some of the reflexes that your baby’s pediatrician may test and evaluate include the following:

Moro Reflex

Sometimes called the “startle reflex,” the Moro reflex is triggered by a sudden change in stimulus around your baby. This may be a sudden loss of support (and a feeling of falling), a sudden change in light levels, or a sudden loud noise. Your baby’s pediatrician will seek to trigger a Moro reflex response in order to ensure the reaction is typical and healthy. A standard Moro reflex will have three basic components:

• Crying: Your infant will cry in response to the loud noise or startling trigger.

• Stretching arms out: The infant will stretch their arms out in each direction.

• Pulling arms in: The infant will then pull their arms (and sometimes legs) in towards their body.

If your baby does not present all three of these components, their pediatrician may recommend further testing. In general, the Moro reflex will go away between the ages of 3-6 months.

Tonic Neck Reflex

The tonic neck reflex is sometimes referred to as the “fencing reflex” because of the shape your infant’s arms make. The reflex occurs when the infant is placed on their back and their head moved to one side. When this happens, the infant does two things:

• The baby will stretch out their opposite arm.

• The baby will pull in their arm in the direction that their head is looking.

The pose resembles a classic “fencing position,” hence the nickname of this reflex. The tonic neck reflex will usually disappear as your child reaches the age of five or six months.

Stepping Reflex

The stepping reflex occurs when you lift your infant up by their armpits and their feet are touching a solid surface. When this occurs, the baby will make stepping motions in the air. They may even look like they’re dancing! The same reflex generally does not occur if the baby is no longer in contact with a solid surface. 

In general, the stepping reflex will disappear by the time your infant is two months old or so. 

Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex helps direct your baby towards their primary food source. When the side of the baby’s mouth is touched or stroked, the head will turn in the direction of the contact. When nursing or bottle feeding, this reflex helps your infant locate the nipple and, as a result, facilitates feeding. In this way, the rooting reflex helps your baby find the resources they need! 

The rooting reflex will usually disappear when your infant is four months old or so.

Suck Reflex

This reflex is precisely what it sounds like! When a nipple-shaped object is placed within the baby’s mouth, they will start to suck on that object. The utility of this reflex is very apparent: it’s a way of telling your baby that it’s time to eat. This reflex occurs naturally with nipples on both breasts and bottles. The suck reflex is one of those that can develop quite early in your infant’s life–it’s been noted to happen as early as the 32nd week of gestation. (You may notice ultrasound images of infants sucking on their thumbs or hands, for example.) 

The rooting and sucking reflexes are closely related and both help your baby get the nutrients they need. As with the rooting reflex, the sucking reflex will usually disappear around the age of four months.

An Important Part of Growing Up

For the vast majority of infants, reflexes are simply a part of coming into the world and growing up. They serve several important functions, from keeping your baby safe to helping them get the nutrients they need. Your pediatrician will evaluate several reflexes (though perhaps not all) to get a sense of how your baby’s nervous system is developing and note any areas of concern. This will likely be a normal part of your baby’s regular wellness visits.

In general, infant reflexes will go away on their own–and they aren’t something that parents need to worry about. However, if you have concerns or questions about infant reflexes or your infant’s health, you can schedule an appointment with our Chicago or Northbrook offices!