04/04/2026
Newborn Reflexes Every Physiotherapist & Pediatric Clinician Should Know 👶🧠
Key Primitive Reflexes
1️⃣ Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
When a baby feels sudden movement or hears a loud sound, the arms first move outward and then come back inward.
✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears by 4–6 months
✔ Asymmetry may indicate birth injury
✔ Persistence may indicate neurological delay
2️⃣ Rooting Reflex
When the baby’s cheek is touched, the baby turns toward the stimulus to find food.
✔ Helps in breastfeeding
✔ Disappears around 4 months
✔ Important in feeding assessment
3️⃣ Sucking Reflex
When the roof of the mouth is stimulated, the infant starts sucking.
✔ Essential for feeding
✔ Integrates around 4 months
✔ Weak response may indicate prematurity or CNS involvement
4️⃣ Palmar Grasp Reflex
When you place your finger in the baby’s palm, the baby grips it tightly.
✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears by 5–6 months
✔ Persistence may affect voluntary grasp
5️⃣ Babinski Reflex
When the sole is stroked, the toes fan out.
✔ Normal in infants
✔ Integrates by 12–24 months
✔ Abnormal if present in adults
6️⃣ Stepping Reflex
When held upright with feet touching a surface, the baby makes stepping movements.
✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears around 2 months
✔ Precursor of walking
7️⃣ Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
When the baby’s head turns to one side, the arm on that side extends while the opposite arm flexes (fencing posture).
✔ Present at birth
✔ Integrates by 5–7 months
✔ Persistence may affect bilateral coordination
8️⃣ Plantar Grasp Reflex
Touching the sole causes the toes to curl.
✔ Present at birth
✔ Integrates by 9–12 months
✔ Persistence may delay standing and walking
Role of Early Physiotherapy Intervention
Early physiotherapy can help through:
✔ Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)
✔ Sensory motor stimulation
✔ Reflex integration techniques
✔ Parent education
✔ Developmental milestone training
✔ Positioning strategies
