In response to the sound, the baby throws back his or her head, extends out his or her arms and legs, cries, then pulls the arms and legs back in. A baby's own cry can startle him or her and trigger this reflex. This reflex lasts until the baby is about 2 months old. When a baby's head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow. This is often called the fencing position.
This reflex lasts until the baby is about 5 to 7 months old. Stroking the palm of a baby's hand causes the baby to close his or her fingers in a grasp. Some babies have a strong set of reflexes, while others may take longer to develop their reflexes, or they may need help to develop them.
Babies who are born very prematurely before 28 weeks may not yet have their rooting reflex. A rooting reflex usually starts to develop around 28 to 30 weeks. A premature baby may start sucking before this time, but be unable to find your breast.
In some cases, a premature baby may need to be fed intravenously, or via a feeding tube, or by finger feeding in a neonatal intensive care unit NICU. When feeding a bottle-fed baby, they may initially turn their head from side to side in search of a nipple.
The sucking reflex is different from the rooting reflex. The two serve different purposes, but both are important for allowing your baby to eat.
The rooting reflex happens first, allowing your baby to reflexively find your breast or a bottle nipple. Some babies are able to naturally start breastfeeding right away. Others may need a bit of help with their latch, or their rooting or sucking reflexes. The pediatrician may recommend a lactation consultant to help address any issues that arise with breastfeeding.
Frequent nursing can help your milk to come in. After day 3, breastfed babies typically have about three wet diapers per day, and by day 5, about 5 or more wet diapers per day. You'll see still another reflex when you stroke your baby's palm and watch him immediately grip your finger. Or, if you stroke the sole of his foot, you can watch his toes curl tightly. In the first few days after birth, your baby's grasp will be so strong it may seem he can hold his own weight—but don't try it.
He has no control over this response and may let go suddenly. Aside from strength, your baby's other special talent is stepping. He can't support his weight, of course, but if you hold him under the arms being careful to support his head as well and let his soles touch a flat surface, he'll place one foot in front of the other and "walk. This reflex will help a newborn crawl to the breast right after delivery when lying on their mother's abdomen.
This reflex will disappear after two months, then show up again toward the end of the first year as the learned behavior of walking. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Skip Ribbon Commands. Skip to main content. Turn off Animations. Turn on Animations. Our Sponsors Log in Register. Log in Register. Your pediatrician will be testing for these reflexes and that they disappear on schedule at your baby's check-ups.
In rare cases, an infant does not outgrow the rooting reflex or other involuntary responses, which could signal brain or nervous system issues. Be sure to discuss any concerns you might have about your baby's reflexes with your doctor.
Just know that, like with many things relating to childhood development, the exact comings and goings of specific reflexes can be fluid between individual babies and don't necessarily indicate a problem unless they're way off the expected timetable. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Infant Reflexes. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Updated November 6, Newborn Reflexes.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Updated August 1, Newborn Reflexes and Behavior. Published August 16, DeGangi G. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.
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