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Kinds of Reflexes in Infants

A newborn has many reflexes that are present in every part of the body to help with survival. According to MedlinePlus, these reflexes are an important sign of neurological development. Most infant reflexes disappear by the time the child is a year old. If infant reflexes are present for too long, brain or nervous system damage is often suspected. However, there are reflexes that carry on throughout adulthood.

  1. Whole Body Reflexes

    • Some reflexes require the whole infant's body. The Moro reflex occurs when the infant's head is suddenly left unsupported, giving the child the feeling that he is falling. The child then flings his arms outward as if to catch himself. Tonic Neck occurs when the child is placed on his belly. The child's limbs will straighten, on whichever side he is looking, while the opposite side remains curled. The Truncal or Galant reflex happens when an infant's lower to middle back is stroked and the infant curves instinctively towards the side being stroked.

    Reflexes in Hands and Feet

    • Grasping, or the Palmar reflex, occurs when the palms of the child's hand are touched; the infant responds by curling her fist tightly around the object. Toe curling, or the Plantar reflex, is similar in that the child will curl her foot inwardly if the inner part of the sole is stroked. An infant will also instinctively "walk" or step if she is held above a flat surface and her feet touch it.

    Mouth Reflexes

    • Infants have especially sensitive reflexes in and around their mouth, especially before four months of age. The rooting reflex occurs when a child's cheek is stroked. The child will turn his head in that direction and open his mouth to eat. Once the child's mouth clasps onto the nipple of a bottle or breast, he will instinctively begin sucking. This reflex is often considered one of the strongest in a newborn, which ensures that he is able to get the nutrition he needs.

    Permanent Reflexes

    • While these reflexes disappear often in the first four to 12 months of an infant's life, there are reflexes that extend into adulthood. Blinking instinctively in bright light, yawning when you need more oxygen and coughing when something blocks your airway, are some reflexes that develop as an infant and continue.

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