Babies, at birth, have a series of primitive reflexes that help them survive and develop appropriately. These reflexes, also known as archaic reflexes, are automatic responses to specific stimuli and are part of the repertoire of instinctive behaviors that all newborns exhibit. Throughout this article, we will explore the 12 most common primitive reflexes in babies and their importance in the initial stages of human development.
1. Palmar grasp reflex
One of the first reflexes seen in babies is the palmar grasp reflex, which is activated when their palm is pressed with a finger or object. In response to this stimulus, the baby will instinctively close his hand in a firm grip. This reflex is crucial in the initial stages as it helps the baby grasp objects and support himself.
Importance:
The palm grasp reflex is essential in the development of the baby's fine motor skills, as it allows him to explore his environment and strengthen the muscles of his hands and fingers. In addition, this reflex makes feeding easier, since the baby can grab the breast or bottle to suck.
2. Sucking reflex
The sucking reflex is activated when something touches the baby's lips, causing him to automatically start sucking. This reflex is essential for feeding, as it allows the baby to obtain breast milk or a bottle naturally.
Importance:
The sucking reflex is not only related to feeding, but also fulfills a comforting function for the baby, since suction releases endorphins that generate pleasure and calm in the little one. Additionally, this reflex lays the foundation for the development of skills such as speaking and chewing in later stages.
3. Rooting reflex
The rooting reflex is activated when the baby's cheek is stimulated, causing him to instinctively turn his head in that direction in search of food. This reflex facilitates breastfeeding by directing the baby towards the mother's breast to feed.
Importance:
The rooting reflex is essential to ensure adequate feeding of the baby, as which allows it to find the food source intuitively and facilitates skin-to-skin contact with the mother. Furthermore, this reflection promotes an emotional bond between the baby and the care figure, strengthening the emotional connection from the early stages.
4. Self-walking reflex
The self-walking reflex refers to the leg movement that a baby performs when held upright with the feet touching a flat surface. This reflex imitates the movement of walking and is activated automatically by stimulating the soles of the baby's feet.
Importance:
The automatic walking reflex is an indicator of baby's ability to develop walking in later stages. This reflex stimulates the central nervous system and prepares the baby for the future challenge of learning to walk, strengthening the leg muscles and promoting motor coordination.
5. Moro Reflex
The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is triggered when the baby feels a sudden falling sensation or hears a loud noise. In response to this stimulus, the baby extends his arms and legs, arches his back and then contracts his body, in a hugging movement.
Importance:
The Moro reflex It is essential for the baby's survival, as it helps him react to potentially dangerous situations, such as the sensation of falling. In addition, this reflex stimulates the development of the nervous system and coordination between different parts of the body, preparing the baby for future protective and alert responses.
6. Climbing reflex
The climbing reflex, also known as the asymmetric rooting reflex, is activated when one side of the baby's mouth is stimulated with a finger or object. In response to this stimulus, the baby will turn his head to that side and open his mouth in search of the object that has been placed near his cheek.
Importance:
The reflex of Climbing is crucial in the baby's feeding process as it allows the baby to locate the food source accurately and facilitates sucking. This reflex also contributes to the development of coordination between sight and touch, as well as the oral motor skills necessary to breastfeed effectively.
7. Tonic asymmetric neck reflex
The tonic asymmetric neck reflex, also known as the "sword and shield" reflex, occurs when the baby's head is turned to one side while lying face up. In response to this movement, the baby extends the arm and leg on the side where the head is directed, while flexing the other arm and leg.
Importance:
The reflex Asymmetrical neck tonic is essential for the development of baby's motor coordination, as it teaches him to control the movement of his body and strengthens the muscles of his arms and legs. This reflex lays the foundation for the integration of lateral and hand-eye movements in later stages.
8. Babkin Reflex
The Babkin reflex is activated when pressure is applied to the palms of both hands of the baby at the same time. In response to this stimulus, the baby will instinctively open his mouth, close his eyes and turn his head forward.
Importance:
The Babkin reflex is related to feeding and baby's social interaction as it occurs during sucking and close contact with the care figure. This reflex promotes coordination between the mouth and hands, as well as non-verbal communication through facial expressions and gestures.
9. Walk-in-place reflex
The walk-in-place reflex, also known as the sham walking reflex, is evidenced when the baby is held upright with the feet touching the ground. In response to this stimulus, the baby makes alternating movements of the legs, imitating the act of walking.
Importance:
The reflex of walking in place is indicative of the baby's potential to develop gait independently in the future. This reflex strengthens the muscles of the legs and promotes the motor coordination necessary to take steps, marking the beginning of preparation to learn to walk.
10. Babinski Reflex
The Babinski reflex is produced by stimulating the sole of the baby's foot with a pointed object, causing the toes to extend and the big toe to separate. This reflex is an automatic response that disappears as the baby grows and develops.
Importance:
The Babinski reflex is an indicator of the state of the baby's nervous system and its responsiveness to external stimuli. Although this reflex disappears over time, its presence and integrity are important indicators of the baby's neurological development in the early stages of life.
11. Sucking reflex
The sucking reflex is activated when something touches the roof of the baby's mouth, which triggers sucking movements in the baby's mouth. This reflex is essential for the baby's feeding and self-consolation, as it allows him to calm and self-regulate through sucking.
Importance:
The sucking reflex is essential for emotional well-being of the baby, as it provides him with a natural way to console himself and find comfort in stressful situations. In addition, this reflex contributes to the development of facial and oral muscles, preparing the baby for skills such as chewing and speaking in the future.
12. Galant Reflex
The Galant reflex is activated by stimulating the baby's lower back area with a gentle touch along the spine. In response to this stimulus, the baby will flex his back toward the side of the stimulus, reflecting the integration of lateral movements in the lower body.
Importance:
The Galant reflex is relevant to the development of the baby's posture and balance, as it strengthens the muscles of the back and pelvis, essential for maintaining an upright posture and coordinating body movements. This reflection lays the foundation for psychological development: An introduction to growth and change over the life course" by Robert S. Feldman. This book provides information on the fundamental processes of human development, including genetics, biology, cognition, emotion and socialization, from infancy to adulthood. It is crucial that mental health professionals and educators are familiar with the basic aspects of child development, including primitive reflexes, in order to identify possible difficulties or delays in development and provide early and effective interventions. Understanding primitive reflexes in infants is not only essential for clinical practice, but also allows parents and caregivers to inform and sensitively support the growth and well-being of their children. In conclusion, the 12 primitive reflexes of babies are automatic responses that play a crucial role in the early stages of human development. These reflexes, ranging from the palm grasp to the Galant reflex, reflect babies' innate ability to survive, adapt, and learn in their environment. By understanding the importance of these reflexes and their evolution over time, health professionals and parents can promote optimal, healthy development in babies, laying the foundation for significant physical, cognitive, and emotional growth over time. of life.