Assessing newborn reflexes Tonic Neck Reflex (Fencing

Infant reflexes are reflexes the Reflex)

baby is born with and it tells us
how well that nervous system is
functioning and developing. ● When the infant’s head is turned
to a particular side, the leg and
Newborn reflexes (sometimes arm on that side will extend,
called primitive reflexes) will go while the leg and arm on the
away after a period of time, which opposite side will flex.
is a good thing because again it ● For example, if the infant’s
tells us the baby’s neuro system is head is gently turned to
developing like it should. the right side the right leg
and right arm will slightly
For pediatric exams, you want to
extend, while the left leg
know the following about newborn
and left arm will slight flex.
reflexes:
● It disappears around 4
month of age.
● Main reflexes present in an
infant (their name)
● Rooting, tonic neck,
sucking, step, Babinski,
palmar grasp, plantar Grasp reflexes (two types)
grasp, crawling, step
● What the reflex does ● Palmar grasp reflexes (hand):
● Approximate time when the
reflex should disappear or
decrease

Newborn Reflexes Assessment

when placing a finger or

stroking the inside of the
infant’s palm the hand will
close around it…hence grasp
it.
● It disappears around 4-6
months of age.
● Plantar grasp reflex: body this reflex will
occur.
● Response? the infant will
throw out the arms
(hence extend them) with
the palms up and then
move the arms back to
the body.
● It disappears by 6
months.

● when a finger is placed

under the toes, the toes will
curl. Rooting Reflex
● It disappears around
9 months to 1 year.

Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

● When the infant’s cheek or side

of mouth is stroked, the head
will turn towards it and the
infant will open its mouth in an
attempt to suck. This helps the
baby find its food source when
● This reflex occurs when the feeding.
infant hears a sudden loud ● It disappears by 4
noise or experiences months.
unexpected movement.
● Example: when placed in
the supine position (with
the head supported)
and the head is allowed
to fall lower than the
Sucking reflex (bends back) and the other
toes fan or spread out.
● This disappears
around 1 year of age.

Crawling Reflex (Bauer Crawling

Reflex)

● When something touches the

top of the infant’s mouth
(specifically the hard palate of
the mouth….so the roof of the
mouth) the infant will
automatically suck. Again, this
helps with feeding by allowing
the infant to pull food from the
source….breast or a bottle.
● When the infant is placed on
● This disappears at 4
the stomach and pressure
months and becomes a
(such as a hand) is applied to
voluntary function.
the sole of the foot, the infant
will attempt to push against
the hand and move the arms
and legs in a crawling like
Babinski Reflex
motion.
● This disappears around
a few weeks after birth
to a couple of months.

● When the bottom of the foot is

stroked from the heel upward
along the outward part of the
foot, the big toe dorsiflexes
Step reflex

● When holding the infant upright

with legs and feet touching a
surface, the infant will move the
legs like taking steps or walking.
● This disappears around
3-4 months