16 Reflexes in Babies That Must Be Recognized from Birth
1. Sucking reflex: Babies will suck when you touch the nipple to the corner of their mouth. The sucking reflex occurs when newborns automatically suck on objects placed in their mouths. The sucking reflex makes it easier for newborns to obtain food before they associate the nipple with food. Sucking is a very important reflex in babies. This reflex is their route to food discovery. Newborns' sucking abilities vary. Some newborns suck efficiently and powerfully to obtain milk.
2. Grasping Reflex (palmar grasp reflex) Grasping Reflex is a reflex movement of the fingers to grasp objects touched by the baby, an indication of normal nerve development that disappears after 3-4 months. The baby will automatically grasp your finger when you offer your index finger to him. The grasp reflex occurs when something touches the baby's palm. The baby will respond by gripping it tightly.
3. Rooting reflex: There will be an increase in muscle strength (tone) in the arms and legs when your baby turns to one side.
4. Rooting reflex The rooting reflex occurs when a baby's cheek is stroked or the side of his mouth is touched. In response, the baby turns his head toward the object that touched him, in an attempt to find something to suck on. The sucking and searching reflex disappears after the baby is about 3 to 4 months old. The reflex is replaced by voluntary eating. The sucking and searching reflex is a survival effort for newborn mammals or mammals, because that way he can determine the mother's milk for food.
5. Moro reflex (moro reflex) Moro reflex is a sudden response in newborn babies that occurs due to a surprising sound or movement.
6. Babinski Reflex. A primitive reflex in infants characterized by grasping movements of the fingers when the bottom of the foot is stroked, indicating normal nerve development. Disappears by 4 months of age.
7. Swallowing Reflex is a reflex movement to swallow objects that are brought close to the mouth, allowing babies to take in food in a playful way but changing according to experience.
8. Breathing Reflex, reflex movements such as inhaling and exhaling repeatedly, function: providing O2 and removing CO2, permanent in life
9. Eyeblink Reflex, a reflex movement such as closing and blinking the eyes – function: protecting the eyes from light and foreign objects – permanent in life if the baby is exposed to light or a gust of wind, his eyes will close or he will blink.
10. Pupillary Reflex, a reflex movement that constricts the pupil in response to bright light and enlarges the pupil in response to dark environments. – Function: protects against bright light and adapts to dark conditions.
11. Tonic Neck Reflex, also called the head-up position, appears at one month of age and disappears around five months of age. When a baby's head is turned to the side, the arm on that side will straighten and the opposite arm will bend (sometimes the movement will be very subtle or weak). If a newborn is unable to achieve this position or if this reflex persists beyond six months of age, the baby may have an upper motor neuron disorder. According to research, the tonic neck reflex is an early sign of eye-head coordination that will enable the baby to achieve voluntary movement.
12. Tonic labyrinthine reflex. In a supine position, this reflex can be observed by lifting the baby for a moment and then releasing it. The lifted leg will remain elevated for a moment and then fall. This reflex disappears by 6 months of age.
13. Crawling Reflex If the mother or someone else turns the newborn baby over, it will form a crawling position because when in the womb its legs are bent towards its body.
14. Walking and stepping reflexes If a mother or someone else holds a baby standing and the soles of their feet touch a hard surface, the mother/person will see a walking reflex, which is a movement of the feet as if stepping forward. If the baby's shin touches something, the baby will lift his foot as if he is going to step over the object. This walking reflex will be different from normal walking movements, which the baby will master in the next few months. It decreases after 1 week and will disappear around 2 months.
15. Yawning Reflex: This is a reflex that resembles screaming when hungry, usually occurring later and lasting until about a year after birth. This plantar reflex can be tested by rubbing something on the sole of the foot, causing the toes to curl tightly.
16. Swimming Reflex: This reflex is demonstrated when a baby is placed in a pool of water. He or she will begin paddling and kicking, as if swimming. This reflex disappears between four and six months of age. This reflex helps the baby survive if he or she drowns. Although the baby will begin paddling and kicking, placing the baby in water is very risky. The baby will swallow a lot of water.
