NEWBORN REFLEXES

ROOT REFLEX Baby instinctively turns her little head to a breast or finger that touches her cheek in her search for food. SUCK REFLEX Baby probably practised her suck and swallow reflex in utero and possibly sucked her thumb. GRASP REFLEX Baby automatically grasps and holds a finger placed in her little hand. THE STARTLE OR MORO REFLEX Loud noises, fast movement or change of position can “startle” baby, and she will jerk her arms and legs away from her body and throw her head back. STEP REFLEX Baby should show the step reflex directly after birth and will place one foot in front of the other when she’s held upright. CRAWLING REFLEX Baby will want to pull her little legs up underneath her body as if she wants to crawl because she was used to that position in utero. BABINSKI REFLEX If you press on the ball of your baby’s foot, her little toes will instinctively curl downwards.