Reflexes

The Newborn Newborn infants are skilled, capable beings who display many complex abilities, one of which is called a reflex. Reflex - An inborn, automatic response to a particular form of stimulation.

Save For In Class Discussion Reflexes Save For In Class Discussion Complete the following chart: Reflex Stimulation Response Age of Loss Function Eye Blink Rooting Sucking Swimming Moro Palmar Grasp Tonic Neck Stepping Babinski

Reflex Stimulation Response Age of Loss Function Eye Blink Shine bright light at eyes or clap near head Quickly closed eyelids Permanent Protects infant from strong stimulation Rooting Stroke cheek near corner of mouth Head turns towards source 3 weeks Helps infant find the nipple Sucking Place finger in infants mouth Infant sucks rhythmically 4 months Permits feeding Swimming Place infant face down in pool of water Infant paddles and kicks in swimming motion 4-6 months Helps with survival if dropped into water Moro Hold infant on back and let head drop slightly or produce a loud sound against supporting surface Infant makes “embracing” motion by arching back, extending legs, and throwing arms outward then bringing arms in 6 months May have helped infant cling to mother in past Palmar Grasp Place finger in infants hand and press on palm Spontaneous grasp of finger 3-4 months Prepares infant for voluntary reaching Tonic Neck Turn infants head to one side while infant is lying awake on back Infant takes a “fencing position” one arm extended in front of eyes and the other is flexed Stepping Hold infant under arms and allow bare feet to touch a flat surface Infant lifts one foot after another in a stepping motion 2 months in infants who gain weight quickly Prepares infant for voluntary walking Babinski Stroke sole of foot from toe to heel Toes fan out and curl as foot twists in 8-12 months Unknown

Check It Out… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdiCe p6OStA - Reflexes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpmd pL5btYo - Swimming Reflex

Why Have Reflexes? Many of the baby’s reflexes go away before the first year. Why do you think they have them in the first place then?

Why Have Reflexes? Adaptive Value Development of Motor Skills Some reflexes have survival value. For example, the rooting reflex helps a breastfed baby find the mother’s nipple. Babies display it only when hungry and touched by another person, not when they touch themselves. Other reflexes probably helped babies survive during our evolutionary past. For example, the Moro, or “embracing,” reflex is believed to have helped infants cling to their mothers when they were carried about all day Development of Motor Skills Some reflexes form the basis for complex motor skills that will develop later. For example, the tonic neck reflex may prepare the baby for voluntary reaching. When babies lie on their backs in this “fencing position,” they naturally gaze at the hand in front of their eyes. The reflex may encourage them to combine vision with arm movements and, eventually, reach for objects Show Health of Nervous System Researchers believe that this is due to a gradual increase in voluntary control over behavior as the cerebral cortex develops. Pediatricians test reflexes carefully, especially if a newborn has experienced birth trauma, because reflexes can reveal the health of the baby’s nervous system. Weak or absent reflexes, overly rigid or exaggerated reflexes, and reflexes that persist beyond the point in development when they should normally disappear can signal damage to the cerebral cortex.

Why Do Reflexes Go Away? Researchers believe that this is due to a gradual increase in voluntary control over behavior as the cerebral cortex develops. Pediatricians test reflexes carefully, especially if a newborn has experienced birth trauma, because reflexes can reveal the health of the baby’s nervous system. Weak or absent reflexes, overly rigid or exaggerated reflexes, and reflexes that persist beyond the point in development when they should normally disappear can signal damage to the cerebral cortex However, individual differences in reflexive responses exist that are not cause for concern. An observer must assess newborn reflexes along with other characteristics to distinguish normal from abnormal central nervous system functioning

Dads With Good Reflexes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6__ QYkV_qs