One of the more interesting automatic responses is the tonic neck reflex, otherwise known as the fencing posture. You may notice that when your baby’s head turns to one side, her arm on that side will straighten, with the opposite arm bent as if she’s fencing. Do not be surprised if you don’t see this response, however. It is subtle, and if your baby is disturbed or crying, she may not perform it. It disappears at five to seven months of age.
You’ll see still another reflex when you stroke the palm of your baby’s hand and watch her immediately grip your finger. Or stroke the sole of her foot, and watch it flex as the toes curl tightly. In the first few days after birth, your baby’s grasp will be so strong that it may seem she can hold her own weight—but don’t try it. She has no control over this response and may let go suddenly.
Aside from her strength, your baby’s other special talent is stepping. She can’t support her own weight, of course, but if you hold her under the arms (being careful to support her head, as well) and let her soles touch a flat surface, she’ll place one foot in front of the other and “walk.” This reflex will disappear after two months, then recur as the learned voluntary behavior of walking toward the end of the first year.
Although you may think of babies as utterly defenseless, they actually have several protective reflexes. For instance, if an object comes straight toward her, she’ll turn her head and try to squirm out of its way. (Amazingly, if the object is on a path that would make it a near miss instead of a collision, she will calmly watch it approach without flinching.) Yes, she’s very dependent on her mother and father at this age, but she’s not totally defenseless.
Newborn Reflexes
The following are some of the normal inborn reflexes you will see your baby perform during her first weeks. Not all infants acquire and lose these reflexes at exactly the same time, but this table will give you a general idea of what to expect.
Reflex Age When Reflex Appears Age When Reflex Disappears
Moro Reflex Birth 2 months
Walking/Stepping Birth 2 months
Rooting Birth 4 months
Tonic neck reflex Birth 5-7 months
Palmar grasp Birth 5-6 months
Plantar grasp Birth 9-12 Months
Last Updated 8/1/2009
Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
