Growth & Skill Development
A newborn’s reflexes
All healthy babies are born with reflexes that eventually give way to conscious movements. Reflexes are nature’s way of protecting your baby. Here are a few that are present at birth:
ROOTING REFLEX This reflex helps a newborn find her mother’s breast. If you stroke your baby’s cheek she’ll turn her head toward your finger and open her mouth.
GRASP REFLEX When something is pressed into the palm of your baby’s hand, she’ll clench it. She’ll eventually learn she can choose to grasp what she wants and let go of what she doesn’t.
TONIC NECK REFLEX As your baby lies on her back and turns her head to one side, her arm on that side will straighten, while the other arm bends. Lying in this position helps her discover her hand and develop
hand-eye coordination.