Infant reflexes: A guide to your baby's early development

Also known as newborn reflexes, infant reflexes are seen in babies from the moment they’re born. Your little one will have automatic movements and reactions to different stimuli, all of which are part of healthy nerve and brain development. As your baby grows, these types of infant reflexes will fade, marking the next step in their early development.

Are you interested in the different baby reflexes and what they mean for your newborn’s development? We’re here to help! Learn more in this guide.

What are infant reflexes?

 

When your baby has an involuntary movement or action, it could be an infant reflex. These are completely normal and make life easier to navigate for your newborn as they develop and grow.

To learn more about what to expect, let’s take a look at the different types of infant reflexes:

 

• Infant startle reflex: Also known as the Moro reflex, the infant startle reflex occurs when your baby is startled. They’ll extend their arms and legs, stretch their head back, and cry before pulling their arms and legs back in. This is thought to be a protective response to potential threats, like falling.¹ Learning to soothe your crying newborn is essential for helping your baby relax after they’ve been startled.
  
  
• Infant rooting reflex: When you gently touch or stroke the corner of your newborn’s mouth, they’ll turn their head towards you, rooting in the direction of your hand. The purpose of this reflex is to help your little one find either a bottle or a breast to start feeding.²
  
  
• Infant sucking reflex: When the roof of your baby’s mouth is touched, they’ll automatically begin to suck. Like the infant rooting reflex, this helps your newborn to feed.³
  
  
• Infant grasp reflex: If you stroke your baby’s hand, they’ll close their fingers around yours tightly. This encourages bonding and exploration, helping your newborn begin connecting to the world around them.⁴
  
  
• Infant tonic neck reflex: When your baby is lying down, you might see that their head is turned one way, with the arm on the side they’re facing stretching out while the opposite arm bends up. The tonic neck reflex is also known as the fencing reflex, and is a part of the fine-tuning of the nervous system and coordination development.⁵
  
  
• Infant stepping reflex: Even as a newborn, when you hold your baby up with their feet on a solid surface, they’ll appear to walk or dance. This is the infant stepping reflex, and it’s an important part of how your baby will develop the muscles and coordination to eventually take their first steps.⁶

 

These reflexes are all signs that your baby’s nervous system is developing just as it should be. While they may seem small individually, each one plays an important role in helping your little one adapt to life outside of the womb.

Why do infant reflexes matter?

 

From the infant tonic neck reflex to stepping, each automatic movement helps your baby to survive. They improve coordination as they grow, which helps them to ensure they can find food. Even the infant grasp reflex supports muscle development and improves your newborn’s wellbeing, helping them find comfort by holding onto your hand.

During this stage of development, it’s important that you soothe your child while helping them develop vital skills. Comfort aids, like the Philips Avent biobased soother , can work alongside methods like rocking your baby and gently singing. Natural and lightweight, the soother is designed to aid your baby’s sucking reflex and calm their infant startle reflex, providing a sense of security during early sensory development.

As your baby grows, these reflexes are replaced by more purposeful movements, like reaching, crawling, and walking. Wondering, ‘when do infant reflexes go away’? Let’s explore key milestones in the next section of this article.

When do infant reflexes go away?

 

It’s normal for babies to meet and progress through developmental milestones at different paces. By understanding ‘what are infant reflexes?’ and watching your newborn’s automatic movements, you can learn more about their physical and cognitive development, and ensure they’re on the right track.

You’ll also notice your baby’s doctor testing their reflexes. This gives them important clues about your newborn’s neurological health and development.

To learn more about your newborn’s development, let’s answer ‘when do infant reflexes go away?’:⁷

 

• The infant startle reflex: Around 2 months old
• The infant stepping reflex: Around 2 months old
• The infant rooting reflex: Around 4 months old
• The infant tonic neck reflex: Between 5-7 months old
• The infant grasp reflex: Between 9-12 months old

If you notice any unexpected developments, such as your baby not showing the infant stepping reflex or struggling to grasp your hand, consult your GP or a trusted healthcare professional.

It’s important to remember, though, that infant reflexes can naturally come and go at different times depending on the infant, and most delays are nothing to worry about. As a parent, the best thing you can do for your child is to watch their reflexes, consult your GP if you have concerns, and provide comfort when your little one needs you, using aids like the biobased soother to bring calm during key developmental phases.