{{ReflexesReflexes

Infants are born with a set of Infants are born with a set of involuntary skills called involuntary skills called reflexes. Some of these reflexes. Some of these reflexes are essential for reflexes are essential for survival and some seem to survival and some seem to have no purpose.have no purpose.

Survival reflexes include:Survival reflexes include: Breathing-to maintain oxygen supply, Breathing-to maintain oxygen supply,

blood flow and heart function.blood flow and heart function. Blinking- moistens and protects the Blinking- moistens and protects the

eyeseyes Crying- to alert carers to needsCrying- to alert carers to needs Rooting, sucking and swallowing—to Rooting, sucking and swallowing—to

absorb adequate nutritionabsorb adequate nutrition Sneezing- to clear airwaysSneezing- to clear airways Bowel and bladder movements-to Bowel and bladder movements-to

eliminate waste productseliminate waste products

Reflexes without specific purpose:Reflexes without specific purpose: Grasp (0-4 months)- if an object is placed in Grasp (0-4 months)- if an object is placed in

the infant’s hand or if the palm is stroked, the infant’s hand or if the palm is stroked, the fingers will close around the object and the fingers will close around the object and the infant is unable to let go voluntarilythe infant is unable to let go voluntarily

Walking (0-4 months)- if you hold the infant Walking (0-4 months)- if you hold the infant around the tummy for support and place the around the tummy for support and place the feet on a solid surface, the feet step forwardfeet on a solid surface, the feet step forward

Moro or startle reflex (0-6 months)- if the Moro or startle reflex (0-6 months)- if the infant falls backwards, the arms and legs infant falls backwards, the arms and legs extend out suddenly then move back extend out suddenly then move back towards the bodytowards the body

The Babinski reflex (0-12 months)- stroke The Babinski reflex (0-12 months)- stroke the infant’s foot along the arch from the heel the infant’s foot along the arch from the heel to toe, and the toes spread out. to toe, and the toes spread out.