Newborns come with survival kit
WELCOMING a newborn baby into the world is often described as one of life’s greatest blessings. But with this bundle of joy comes new parent jitters, especially when dealing with newborn reflexes.
Life Fourways Hospital paediatrician, Dr Dewald Buitendag recommends a few tips for parents to put their minds at ease during the early days of parenthood.
“Because newborn babies have limited control over their bodies, they are equipped with temporary survival skills in the form of primitive reflexes.
“If your newborn baby exhibits these reflexes it’s actually an indication they are doing just fine,” says Dr Buitendag.
Some common newborn reflexes are:
Startle Reflex:
The startle or Moro reflex is a commonly seen primitive reflex in newborn babies.
Paediatricians test this reflex during their examination of newborn babies.
This reflex usually occurs in response to a loud noise, a sudden movement or the sensation of falling when you put your baby down in their cot without enough support.
The reflex consists of their body tightening, flinging their arms up and out, opening up their usually clenched fists, drawing up their knees and then bringing their arms and re-clenched fists close to their body as if giving themselves a hug. Babies may also cry a little.
It is a remnant of human evolution where it assisted a baby clinging to their mother while being carried around all day. If the baby lost balance, the reflex caused him/her to embrace their mother and regain a hold of her body.
This reflex disappears by about two to three months of age.
Rooting Reflex:
When you stroke the side of your baby’s cheek with your finger or breast, he/she will turn their head to that side, open their mouth and begin to make sucking movements. This is the rooting reflex.
This disappears at about four months.
Grasp Reflex:
If you stroke the palm of your baby’s hand, he/she will grab your finger and hold on tight. This reflex is also a remnant of evolution when babies had to hang on tight to their mother’s backs.
The grasp reflex teaches infants how to use their hands and hold things.
This reflex disappears gradually, beginning in about the third month.
Tongue Trust Reflex
This reflex is a lifesaver, really. It stops babies from choking when they first start eating solid food. It’s demonstrated if you touch the tip of a baby’s tongue with a spoon and they push it back out.
It disappears between four and six months of age. This is one of the reasons why babies are not started on solids before four months of age.
Withdrawal Reflex:
This is a protective reflex. If an object is coming towards a baby, he/she will turn their head and try to get away.
Tonic Neck or Fencing Reflex:
When a baby lies on his/her back and you turn their head to the right, they will extend their arm and leg on the right side while flexing their arm and leg on the opposite side, assuming a fencing position.
They will do the same if you turn their head the opposite side. This reflex usually disappears at about six months of age.
Walking Reflex:
If you hold a baby under his/her armpits, with their feet touching the floor, it may appear as though they want to walk.
This reflex disappears at about two months of age.