From the moment your baby is born, their body is already equipped with a remarkable set of natural reflexes. These automatic movements help your little one feed, react to their surroundings, and begin developing important physical skills.
Many newborn reflexes are temporary and gradually disappear as your baby grows and gains more control over their body. These reflexes form the foundation for future milestones such as rolling, crawling, walking, balance, coordination, and even visual tracking.
What Are Early Childhood Reflexes?
Early childhood reflexes, also known as primitive reflexes, are automatic movements controlled by the brain and nervous system. They appear in newborns without conscious thought or learning.
These reflexes are important because they help babies:
✔ Feed and survive after birth
✔ Respond to sounds, touch, and movement
✔ Build muscle tone and coordination
✔ Develop balance and body awareness
✔ Prepare for future movement skills
As your baby matures, many of these reflexes naturally fade away to make room for more controlled and voluntary movements.
Common Baby Reflexes Explained
Rooting Reflex (Search Reflex)
When your baby’s cheek is gently touched, they will turn their head towards the touch and open their mouth. This reflex helps babies find the breast or bottle for feeding.
It is sometimes called the rooting reflex or breast-search reflex.
Sucking and Swallowing Reflex
When something touches the roof of your baby’s mouth, they automatically begin to suck. Once milk enters the mouth, the swallowing reflex follows naturally.
Unlike many newborn reflexes, swallowing remains with us throughout life.
Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
The Moro reflex is one of the most well-known newborn reflexes. Sudden noises, movements, or a feeling of falling can cause your baby to suddenly stretch out their arms and legs before quickly pulling them back in.
This reflex is thought to be a protective response.
Many babies experience the Moro reflex during sleep, which is why a comfortable and secure sleeping environment is so important.
Grasp Reflex
If you place your finger into your baby’s palm, they will instinctively grip it tightly. A similar reflex can also happen in the toes when the soles of the feet are touched.
This reflex is often surprisingly strong in newborns.
Placing Reflex
When the top of your baby’s foot touches an edge while being held upright, they may lift their foot as though stepping onto a surface.
This reflex helps prepare the body for future walking movements.
Stepping Reflex
If your baby’s feet touch a flat surface while supported upright, they may make stepping movements with their legs.
This is sometimes called the walking reflex.
Babinski Reflex
When the sole of your baby’s foot is stroked, their big toe may move upwards while the other toes fan out.
This is completely normal in newborns and gradually disappears as the nervous system develops.
Gallant Reflex
If your baby is lying on their tummy and the skin beside the spine is stroked, they will curve their body towards the stimulated side.
This reflex is linked to movement and coordination development.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
When your baby turns their head to one side, the arm and leg on that side may straighten while the opposite limbs bend.
This position is sometimes called the “fencing pose”.
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
This reflex affects how your baby’s arms and legs respond to head movement. It plays an important role in posture and later crawling development.
Swimming Reflex
If held horizontally in water, babies may naturally make swimming-like movements with their arms and legs.
This reflex is one reason why many babies enjoy gentle water activities.
Landau Reflex
When held horizontally on their tummy, babies may lift their head and straighten their back and legs.
This reflex supports posture and muscle development.
Protective Airway Reflex
If water enters the airway, your baby’s body reacts automatically to help protect breathing. This protective response is also known as the respiratory protection reflex.
Why Do Baby Reflexes Matter?
Primitive reflexes are an important sign of healthy neurological development. Midwives, health visitors, and paediatricians often check these reflexes during newborn assessments.
Over time, these automatic movements gradually disappear as your baby gains more control over their muscles and coordination.
The fading of newborn reflexes allows babies to develop skills such as:
➤ Rolling over
➤ Sitting up
➤ Crawling
➤ Standing
➤ Walking
➤ Hand-eye coordination
➤ Balance and posture
Every baby develops at their own pace, so there is usually no need to worry if milestones happen slightly earlier or later than expected.
Supporting Your Baby’s Development
The best way to support your baby’s natural development is through plenty of safe movement, interaction, and comfort.
✔ Allow time for supervised tummy time
✔ Encourage free movement during play
✔ Give your baby opportunities to stretch and kick naturally
✔ Create a calm and secure sleep environment
✔ Follow your baby’s individual pace and development
At Slumbersac, our baby sleeping bags and sleeping bags with feet are designed to allow plenty of room for natural movement during sleep, helping little ones stay comfortable while wriggling, stretching, and developing overnight.
Your baby’s early reflexes are a fascinating part of newborn development. Although many of these movements may seem surprising at first, they are completely natural and play an important role in helping your child grow, learn, and explore the world around them.
Every stretch, kick, grasp, and wiggle is part of an incredible developmental journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Reflexes
What are newborn reflexes?
Newborn reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with. These involuntary responses help with feeding, protection, movement, and early development while the nervous system matures.
Are baby reflexes normal?
Yes, primitive reflexes are a normal and healthy part of newborn development. Midwives, health visitors, and paediatricians often check reflexes after birth to ensure your baby’s nervous system is developing as expected.
When do newborn reflexes disappear?
Most newborn reflexes gradually disappear within the first year of life as babies gain more control over their muscles and movements. Some reflexes fade within a few months, while others remain longer to support development.
What is the Moro reflex?
The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, happens when a baby suddenly stretches out their arms and legs in response to loud sounds, sudden movement, or a sensation of falling before pulling them back in again.
This reflex is very common in newborns.
Why does my baby suddenly jerk while sleeping?
Sudden jerking movements during sleep are often caused by the Moro reflex. Babies can startle themselves awake when they feel movement or hear sudden noises. This is completely normal during the newborn stage.
What is the rooting reflex?
The rooting reflex helps babies find food. When a baby’s cheek is touched, they will turn their head towards the touch and open their mouth ready to feed.
Why does my baby grip my finger so tightly?
This is caused by the grasp reflex. When pressure is applied to your baby’s palm, they instinctively close their hand around your finger.
Do reflexes help babies learn to walk?
Yes. Several primitive reflexes help prepare babies for future movement skills such as rolling, crawling, standing, balance, and walking.
When should I be concerned about baby reflexes?
If you are concerned that your baby’s reflexes seem unusually strong, absent, or continue for much longer than expected, speak to your health visitor, GP, or paediatrician for advice and reassurance.
How can I support my baby’s natural development?
You can support your baby’s development by allowing plenty of safe movement, supervised tummy time, interactive play, and creating a calm sleep environment where they can stretch and move comfortably.
