02/13/2026
The symmetrical tonic neck reflex emerges around 6 months and plays a big role in helping babies transition from lying on the floor to hands-and-knees crawling.
This reflex helps to separate the upper and lower body, which is an important step in motor development, and should be integrated by around 11 months. 🚼
If the child skips or avoids crawling, has poor posture, w-sits, has difficulty sitting still, or challenges with reading, writing, or coordination, we worry about this reflex being retained.
As a pediatric chiropractor, I focus on supporting the nervous system with gentle, specific care, helping the body organize movement and integrate reflexes naturally so kids can build strong foundations for growth.
Development isn’t about rushing milestones, it’s about supporting the nervous system behind them.