Published - February 6 Last Updated: February 6, 2026
At my daughter's 2-week checkup, the pediatrician suddenly clapped her
hands loudly near the exam table. My daughter's arms shot out wide, then slowly
came back in, as if she were hugging herself. That’s an excellent display
of the Moro reflex,” the doctor commented warmly, his smile reassuring. I had no idea what that meant. Here's
everything I learned about newborn reflexes, those fascinating automatic
responses that reveal how your baby's nervous system is developing.
What Are Newborn Reflexes?
Involuntary Responses
Newborn reflexes are automatic movements that happen without your baby thinking about
them. Touch your baby's cheek, and they turn toward your finger. They're not
choosing to do this—their nervous system does it automatically.
These aren't random movements. They're built-in survival tools that help
babies eat, protect themselves, and interact with the world before their brains can control movements intentionally.
Why Babies Have These Reflexes
Think of reflexes as your baby's first instruction manual. The rooting
reflex helps them find food. The sucking reflex helps them eat. The grasp
reflex helped our ancestors' babies hold on to their mothers.
These reflexes are hard-wired from millions of years of evolution. They
keep babies safe and help them survive in those early weeks when they can't do
much else.
When Reflexes Go Away
Most newborn reflexes fade between 3 and 6 months. This is news—it means your baby's brain is developing voluntary control.
When reflexes disappear, they're replaced by intentional movements. The
stepping reflex vanishes around 2 months, but real walking starts around 9-15
months. Different parts of the brain control each action.
The Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
What It Looks Like
The Moro reflex is impossible to miss. Your baby's arms fly out to the
sides with palms up and fingers spread. Then the arms come back in like they're
hugging themselves. Often, the baby cries too.
It looks like your baby is saying "Whoa!" and trying to grab
something.
What Triggers It
Several things set off the Moro reflex -
- Suddenly loud noises
- Quick position changes
- Feeling unsupported (like when
you lower them into the crib)
- Bright lights
- Their own sudden movements
Sometimes it happens for no simple reason during sleep. This is normal.
Why It Affects Sleep
The Moro reflex is a major sleep problem for newborns. Baby is sleeping
peacefully, moves a tiny bit, triggers their own startle reflex, and wakes
themselves up.
The startle reflex affecting sleep is why many babies wake
themselves up—swaddling helps contain this response.
This is why swaddling works so well. It gently keeps the arms contained
so the startle response doesn't fully activate.
Important note - The Moro reflex typically disappears between 3 and 6 months. If it's still
strong after 6 months or completely absent at birth, tell your pediatrician.
Rooting and Sucking Reflexes
How They Work Together
Stroke your baby's cheek or mouth, and they'll turn their head toward
your touch with their mouth open. This is the rooting reflex—nature's GPS for
finding food.
Once something touches their mouth—nipple, finger, pacifier—they
automatically start sucking. This powerful combo ensures babies can eat from
day one.
Why They Matter for Feeding
These reflexes make feeding possible before babies have any voluntary
control. Rooting helps them find a food source. Sucking helps them extract
and swallow milk.
Even premature babies often have strong sucking reflexes, which help them
feed despite being born early.
When They Fade
The rooting reflex usually disappears around 4 months, though some
babies keep it longer. By the age of 2 to 4 months, the automatic
sucking reflex gradually develops into a deliberate, voluntary action.
By then, babies can intentionally put things in their mouths and choose
whether to suck. It's no longer purely automatic.
Grasp Reflexes
Palmar Grasp (Hand)
Place your finger in your newborn's palm. Their tiny hands will close
around it with surprising strength. This is the palmar grasp reflex.
Some newborns grip so tightly they could briefly support their own weight
if lifted. Never test this on purpose; it's not safe. But it shows how
strong this reflex is.
Plantar Grasp (Foot)
Press gently on the ball of your baby's foot. Their toes curl downward,
trying to grip.
This is less noticeable than hand grasping, but it serves the same
evolutionary purpose. Our ancestors' babies needed to grip with both hands and
feet to stay safe.
When Voluntary Grasping Starts
The palmar grasp reflex fades around 5-6 months. It's replaced by
voluntary, purposeful grasping.
You'll notice the difference easily. Reflex grasping is automatic and
releases when you pull away. Voluntary grasping is intentional—the baby reaches
for what they want and can choose to let go.
Other Important Newborn Reflexes
Tonic Neck Reflex (Fencing Position)
When your baby's head turns to one side, the arm on that side extends
while the opposite arm bends. This creates a "fencing" position.
It's most obvious when a baby lies on its back. This reflex appears at
birth and fades by 5-7 months.
When worrying - If your baby seems stuck in this position constantly or displays it
rigidly, tell your pediatrician.
Stepping Reflex
Keep your baby in an upright position, allowing their feet
to gently press against a flat surface. They'll make stepping motions like they're walking.
It's purely reflexive, not intentional. This reflex disappears around 2
months, then real voluntary walking starts around 9-15 months, using completely
different brain pathways.
Babinski Reflex (Toe Fanning)
Gently run your hand along the bottom of your baby’s foot,
starting at the heel and moving toward the toes. Their toes fan out, and the big toes extend upward.
This is completely normal in babies and disappears between 12 and 24
months. In adults, this same response means neurological problems—but in
babies, it's expected and healthy.
Protective Reflexes That Stay
Some reflexes never go away because we always need them:
- Blinking when something comes toward the
eyes
- Gagging to prevent choking
These protective mechanisms stay with us for life.
How Doctors Test Newborn Reflexes
What Happens with Checkups
Reflexes tested at birth are part of the initial Apgar assessment and newborn examination.
Doctors test reflexes at birth as part of the initial examination.
At later checkups, your pediatrician will test various reflexes to check
neurological development. Checking reflexes during routine visits is a
standard part of developmental screening throughout a baby’s first year.
Why Testing Matters
Reflex testing gives doctors a window into your baby's nervous system.
Proper reflexes show healthy brain and nerve development.
Absent, weak, asymmetric, or persistent reflexes can signal problems that
need more evaluation.
What Normal Looks Like
Normal reflexes are -
- Symmetrical (same on both sides)
- Appropriate strength (not absent, not too strong)
- Age-appropriate (present when expected, fading
on schedule)
- Consistent (reliable when tested properly)
Your pediatrician knows what to look for and can tell normal variation
from concerning patterns.
When Reflexes Signal Problems
Warning Signs to Watch For
Contact your pediatrician if you notice:
Absent reflexes - If a reflex that should be there is completely missing, like no Moro
reflex at birth or no sucking reflex.
Asymmetric reflexes - If reflexes are strong on one side but weak or absent on the other. This
could mean nerve damage from birth or other neurological concerns.
Reflexes that don't fade - If primitive reflexes persist beyond 6-7 months. A Moro reflex still
present at 8 months needs evaluation.
Feeble or strong responses - Reflexes should be present but not exaggerated.
Absent or persistent reflexes are developmental concerns requiring
evaluation by a pediatrician or specialist.
Supporting Healthy Development of Newborn Reflexes
What You Can Do
You can't make reflexes integrate faster, but you can support healthy
development:
Daily tummy time - Strengthens muscles and promotes motor development. Start from birth
with brief sessions. Tummy time and reflex integration work
together—prone positioning helps primitive reflexes fade as voluntary control
emerges.
Responsive interaction - Talk to your baby, make eye contact, and respond to their sounds. This
stimulates brain development.
Safe exploration: Let the baby practice emerging voluntary movements in a safe
environment.
Regular checkups - Ensure development is progressing as expected.
How Reflexes Fade Naturally
Reflexes don't vanish suddenly. They gradually integrate as your baby's
brain develops higher-level control.
You'll notice reflexes becoming less obvious before they disappear
completely. Reflexive grasping becomes intentional reaching. Random movements
become purposeful actions.
As reflexes integrate, babies reach developmental milestones, and
reflex integration marks neurological maturation. This transition shows
your baby's brain is developing beautifully. It's not a loss—it's progress.
Quick Reference Guide to Common Reflexes
Moro (Startle) Reflex - Arms fly out, then come back in. Disappears at 3-6 months.
Rooting Reflex - Turns toward touch on the cheek. Disappears around 4 months.
Sucking Reflex - Automatic sucking on anything in the mouth. Becomes voluntary at 2-4 months.
Palmar Grasp - Hand closes around a finger. Disappears at 5-6 months.
Stepping Reflex - Makes walking motions when held upright. Disappears around 2 months.
Babinski Reflex: When the sole is stroked, the toes spread
outward. Disappears at 12-24
months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my baby throw their arms out suddenly while sleeping?
That's the Moro (startle) reflex. It's triggered by feeling
unsupported or sudden position changes. Swaddling helps contain this reflex, so
the baby doesn't wake themselves. It disappears around 3-6 months.
When should I worry about my baby's reflexes?
Concerning signs include reflexes absent at birth, reflexes only on
one side of the body, reflexes that don't fade by 6 months, or feeble
responses. Discuss with your pediatrician if you notice these.
Why does my baby make stepping motions when I hold them upright?
That's the stepping reflex—an automatic response when feet touch a
surface. It disappears around 2 months, then reappears as voluntary walking
around 9-15 months. The reflex and voluntary walking use different parts of the
brain.
Is it normal for my baby's toes to fan out?
Yes! The Babinski reflex (toes fanning when the foot sole is stroked)
is normal in babies. It disappears around 12-24 months. In adults, this
response means neurological problems, but in babies, it's expected.
Can I test my baby's reflexes at home?
You can observe them naturally (like rooting when the cheek is
touched, grasping your finger), but don't deliberately trigger the Moro reflex repeatedly;
it's stressful for the baby. Let your pediatrician perform formal reflex
testing.
Final Thoughts
Understanding newborn reflexes helps you appreciate how incredibly
prepared your baby is for life outside the womb. These automatic responses
aren't random—they're survival tools refined over millions of years of human
evolution.
As your baby grows, you'll watch these reflexes gradually fade and
transform into purposeful, controlled movements. That tight newborn grasp
becomes an intentional reach for a toy. Those automatic stepping motions become
real first steps.
Remember - Every baby develops at their own pace. Some reflexes may fade a bit
earlier or later than the typical timeframe, and that's usually perfectly
normal. Your pediatrician will monitor reflex development at each checkup and
let you know if anything needs attention.
The most important thing? Enjoy watching your baby's nervous system
develop right before your eyes. These reflexes are just the beginning of an
amazing developmental journey.
If you ever have concerns about your baby's reflexes or development,
don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician. Trust your instincts; you know your
baby best.
Reflexes are one fascinating aspect of newborn development—explore our complete
newborn health guide for all developmental topics.
Want to track all developmental milestones? Read our complete guide to
newborn development from birth to 3 months.
Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not
a substitute for professional medical advice. Discuss your baby's reflexes and
development with your pediatrician.
Reference
- American Academy of Pediatrics - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Newborn-Reflexes.aspx
- National Institutes of Health - https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003292.htm
