Parenting Advice From Your Physicians at Kaiser Permanente

In the first few days at home with your new baby, you may see them make some unusual-looking movements. They might suddenly spread their arms wide, grab tightly onto your finger, or throw one arm out to the side. If you rub their cheek with your finger, they turn and seem to be frantically looking for it! What’s going on?

Much of what a baby does in the early weeks are involuntary movements that happen by reflex – your baby isn’t choosing to do them. They can look odd, but these reflexes are important for feeding, protection, and development. Pediatricians check these reflexes at well-baby visits because they show that a newborn’s nervous system is functioning and developing normally.

Most infant reflexes are temporary. As your baby’s brain matures, voluntary (intentional) movements gradually replace these automatic responses. In the meantime, here are some of the reflexes you might see in action.

Infant Rooting and Sucking Reflexes

If you stroke a newborn’s cheek, they will turn to that side and move their head back and forth as if they are looking for something. And indeed, they are! This reflex helps them find a nipple to feed. This early reflex goes away around 4 months of age, and it becomes a voluntary behavior.

The sucking reflex is also important to their survival. A newborn will suck on anything placed in their mouth – you have probably noticed how strongly they will latch onto your finger! In addition to helping them feed, rooting and sucking can be cues for you that your baby is hungry.

Understanding the Moro or Startle Reflex

This is the most dramatic reflex. In response to a loud sound or sudden movement, a baby may suddenly fling their arms out to the side with fingers outstretched and neck extended.  This is followed by pulling their arms in toward the body, often accompanied by crying.  It can look like they think they are falling, but don’t worry – it’s a normal part of their development. It usually peaks during the first month and starts to disappear after about 2 months

What Is the Tonic Neck or “Fencing” Reflex?

Sometimes when a baby’s head turns to one side the arm on that side extends and the opposite arm bends. It’s as if they are fencing and about to stab their enemy! This one is more subtle and less common. It fades after 5-7 months.

Why Babies Grasp Your Finger

You know how sweet it feels when a baby grabs on tightly to your finger? Turns out that’s just a reflex – but it can still be a nice bonding moment for the two of you! The palmar or hand grasping reflex fades around 5-6 months as they learn to grab on for real. A word of caution – the grasping reflex might feel strong enough to lift an infant up by their finger, but it isn’t. They often let go without warning and could easily fall.

You may also notice that if you rub the bottom of an infant’s foot the toes curl. This toe grasping reflex persists longer – fading away between 9-12 months.

The Stepping Reflex Explained

A new baby will make walking motions when their feet touch a surface. The purpose of this reflex is to help a baby “crawl” up to a mother’s breast shortly after delivery. This one goes away around 2 months. Later, in the first year when they are learning to walk, a similar motion reappears.

When Should Parents Be Concerned?

These infant reflexes are normal and expected but sometimes parents find them concerning. Talk with your pediatrician if:

• A reflex seems absent at birth.
• A reflex only happens on one side. The Moro and Tonic neck reflexes should occur equally on both sides.
• A reflex persists well beyond the typical age range.
• Your baby seems unusually stiff or unusually floppy.

Bringing up concerns doesn’t make you overprotective — it makes you attentive. Pediatricians are used to these questions and are happy to reassure you, or investigate further if needed.