Newborn Reflexes

From birth, all normal, healthy newborns exhibit reflexes. A reflex is defined as an automatic response to an outside stimulus. A yawn, grasp, suck, etc. are all examples of the many reflexes with which your baby is born.

What many parents fail to realize is that reflexes are needed for survival. They offer a protection, if you will. There are seven in all and each one ensures a different need for survival. Most reflexes generally disappear before the 3rd and 4th months, but can last as long as a year.[1]

Reflexes which should be present in a newborn

Root reflex


Suck reflex


Moro reflex


Tonic neck reflex


Grasp reflex


Babinski reflex


Step reflex



If you were to put a baby under six months of age in water, they would move their arms and legs while holding their breath. This is why some families believe in swim training for very little babies. It is not recommended for you to test this reflex at home for obvious safety reasons.[3]

It is not always easy to demonstrate these reflexes and not all babies do them all of the time, so don't be surprised if you or your Pediatrician can't trigger all of the reflexes. More important, is your baby's overall growth and development. Absent, asymmetric or persistent reflexes might be a sign of a neurological problem, though, and need further evaluation.[4]

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I am a 290 days / 9 months, 2 weeks & 5 days old baby