neonatal reflexes

1. REFLEXES

2. SUCKING REFLEX
If the finger or
nipple placed in
the infant’s
mouth, the infant
will suck.

3. SWALLOWING REFLEX
 When liquid moves
into the mouth, the
tongue moves it to
the back of the
mouth for
swallowing.

4. ROOTING REFLEX
 If the cheek is
stroked, the infant
will turn towards the
side that was stroked
and begin to make
sucking motions with
the mouth.

5. EXTRUSION REFLEX
 New born pushes
tongue outward
when tip of tongue
is touched with
finger or nipple.

6. MORO REFLEX
 If the infants body is
lifted slightly and
released suddenly. The
infant should have a
“startled” look, and fling
it’s arm out side ways
with the palm up and
the thumbs flexed.

7. ASYMMETRIC TONIC NECK
REFLEX
 The tonic neck reflex is elicited
when the head of a relaxed child,
lying supine, is rotated to the side.
The arm toward which the infant is
facing extends straight away from
the body with the hand partially
open while the arm on the side
away from the face is flexed and
the fist is clenched tightly.
Reversing the direction in which
the face is turned reverses the
position.

8. PALMAR GRASP
 The infant will try to
grasp a finger
placed in the
infant’s open palm.

9. PLANTAR GRASP
 If the sole of the
foot is irritated with
an object, the
infants toes will
contract.

10. BABINSKI REFLEX
When the lateral
aspect of the sole
of the relaxed foot
is stroked, the
greater toe is
flexed.

11. STEPPING OR DANCE REFLEX
 New born will step
one foot and then
the other in walking
motion when one
foot is touched to flat
surface.

12. DOLL’S EYE REFLEX
 When the infants
head is slowly
turned, the infant’s
eye will remain
stationary

13. LANDAU
 When an infant is
held in the prone
position, the entire
body forms a
convex upward
arc.

14. LABRYINTHINE REFLEX
 Tilting the head back
while lying on the
back causes the
back to stiffen, form
an arch and the legs
to straighten.

15. NECK RIGHTING REFLEX
 The infant will
rotate the trunk in
the direction in
which the head of
the supine infant is
turned.

16. BODY RIGHTING REFLEX
 The infant will
rotate the head in
the direction in
which the body is
rotated.

17. PARACHUTE REFLEX
 If the child is held in
the position where
he is dropped
forward, he will
outstretch his hands.
This one of the baby
milestones that is
protective for falling.

18. OTOLITH RIGHTING
 When the infant is
in an erect position
causes the head to
return to the
upright position.