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Different
Reflexes
Description and how to elicit Duration
Blink
Reflex
A blink reflex in a newborn serves the same
purpose as it does in an adult—to protect the eye
from any object coming near it by rapid eyelid
closure. t may be elicited by shining a strong lightsuch as a flashlight or an otoscope light on an eye.
A sudden movement toward the eye sometimes
can elicit the blink reflex.
!ermanent
Rooting
Reflex
f the cheek is brushed or stroked near the corner
of the mouth" a newborn infant will turn the head
in that direction. #his reflex serves to help a
newborn find food$ when a mother holds the child
and allows her breast to brush the newborn%s
cheek" the reflex makes the baby turn toward the
breast.
#he reflex disappears at about
the sixth week of life. At about
this time" newborn eyes focus
steadily" so a food source can
be seen" and the reflex is no
longer needed.
&ucking
Reflex
'hen a newborn%s lips are touched" the baby
makes a sucking motion. #he reflex helps a
newborn find food$ when the newborn%s lips touch
the mother%s breast or a bottle" the baby sucks and
so takes in food.
#he sucking reflex begins to
diminish at about ( months of
age. t disappears immediately
if it is never stimulated.
&wallowin
g Reflex
#he swallowing reflex in a newborn is the same as
in the adult. )ood that reaches the posterior
portion of the tongue is automatically swallowed.
*ag" cough" and snee+e reflexes also are present in
newborns to maintain a clear airway in the event
that normal swallowing does not keep the pharynx
free of obstructing mucus
!ermanent
,xtrusion
Reflex
A newborn extrudes any substance that is placed
on the anterior portion of the tongue. #his
protective reflex prevents the swallowing of
inedible substances.
t disappears at about - months
of age. ntil then" the infant
may seem to be spitting out or
refusing solid food placed in
the mouth.
!almar
*rasp
Reflex
/ewborns grasp an object placed in their palm by
closing their fingers on it. 0ature newborns grasp
so strongly that they can be raised from a supine
position and suspended momentarily from an
examiner%s fingers.
#his reflex disappears at about
( weeks to 1 months of age. A
baby begins to grasp
meaningfully at about 1
months of age.
&tep
2'alk34in4
!lace
Reflex
/ewborns who are held in a vertical position with
their feet touching a hard surface will take a few
5uick" alternating steps
#his reflex disappears by 1
months of age. By - months"
babies can bear a good portion
of their weight unhindered by
this reflex.
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!lacing
Reflex
#he placing reflex is similar to the step4inplace
reflex" except that it is elicited by touching the
anterior surface of the lower part of a newborn%s
leg against a hard surface such as the edge of a
bassinet or table. #he newborn makes a few 5uick
lifting motions" as if to step onto the table" becauseof the reflex.
#his reflex disappears by 1
months of age.
!lantar
*rasp
Reflex
'hen an object touches the sole of a newborn%s
foot at the base of the toes" the toes grasp in the
same manner as do the fingers.
#his reflex disappears at about
6 to 7 months of age in
preparation for walking.
8owever" it may be present
during sleep for a longer
period.
#onic /eck
Reflex.
'hen newborns lie on their backs" their heads
usually turn to one side or the other. #he arm and
the leg on the side toward which the head turnsextend" and the opposite arm and leg contract. #he
movement is most evident in the arms but may
also be observed in the legs. f you turn a
newborn%s head to the opposite side" he or she will
often change the extension and contraction of legs
and arms accordingly. #his is also called a boxer
or fencing reflex" because the position simulates
that of someone preparing to box or fence. nlike
many other reflexes" the tonic neck reflex does not
appear to have a function. t does stimulate eye
coordination" because the extended arm moves in
front of the face. t may signify handedness.
#he reflex disappears between
the second and third months of
life.
0oro
Reflex
A 0oro 2startle3 reflex can be initiated by startling
a newborn with a loud noise or by jarring the
bassinet. #he most accurate method of eliciting the
reflex is to hold newborns in a supine position and
allow their heads to drop backward about 9 inch.
n response to this sudden head movement" they
abduct and extend their arms and legs. #heir
fingers assume a typical :;< position. )inally"
they swing their arms into an embrace positionand pull up their legs against their abdomen
2adduction3. #he reflex simulates the action of
someone trying to ward off an attacker" then
covering up to protect himself.
t is strong for the first 6 weeks
of life and then fades by the
end of the fourth or fifth
month" at the same time an
infant can roll away from
danger.
Babinski
Reflex
'hen the sole of the foot is stroked in an inverted
:=< curve from the heel upward" a newborn fans
t remains positive 2toes fan3
until at least 1 months of age"
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the toes 2positive Babinski sign3. #his is in
contrast to the adult" who flexes the toes. #his
reaction occurs because nervous system
development is immature.
when it is supplanted by the
down4turning or adult flexion
response.
&wimming
Reflex
#he swimming reflex involves placing an infant
face down in a pool of water. #he infant will beginto paddle and kick in a swimming motion.
#he reflex disappears between
->( months.
!rone
crawl
reflex
t can can be stimulated by placing the neonate
prone 2face down3 on a flat surface. #he neonate
will attempt to crawl forward using the arms and
legs.
#his reflex will be inhibited by
three to four months of age.
Doll?s eye
reflex
Doll?s eye reflex can be noted with the infant
supine 2lying on the back3 and slowly turning the
head to either side. #he infant?s eyes will remain
stationary.
#his reflex should disappear
between three to four months
of age.
*alant
reflex
*alant reflex is stimulated by placing the infant on
the stomach or lightly supporting him or her under
the abdomen with a hand and" using a fingernail"
gently stroking one side of the neonate?s spinal
column from the head to the buttocks. #he
response occurs with the neonate?s trunk curving
toward the stimulated side.
#his reflex can become
inhibited at any time between
the first and third month.
!arachute
2forward3
reflex
f the baby is held in a position where he is
dropped forward" he will outstretch his hands. #his
is one of the baby milestones that is protective forfalling.
#his occurs from about 7
months of age and persists.
Alvare+" Ronilyn A. B&/ 4B /ovember 96" @9
!illitteri" A. 2@93. Maternal & Child Health Nursing: Care of the Childbearing and Child
Rearing Family (6 th Ed.). !hiladelphia$ Cippincott 'illiams 'ilkins.
Bennington" C. 2@93. Neonatal Reflees ! baby" #efinition" #es$ri%tion" Common %roblems. Healthof$hildren.$om. Retrieved 9E /ovember @9" from
http$FFwww.healthofchildren.comF/4GF/eonatal4Reflexes.html
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