Infant Reflexes Essay

402 Words2 Pages
Paaez Marand Psych 11 06/27/12 Reflexes are a newborn baby’s most obvious organized patterns of behavior. These reflexes are unborn, automatic responses to a particular stimulation. These reflexes in the first moments and months of life are the building blocks of future development. It starts out as a reflex and soon turns to a purposeful, cognitive, physical action. Some of these reflexes have survival value, and are key in evoking adult attention and care. One important survival reflex is Rooting. By stroking the cheek near the corner of the infant’s mouth, the infants head will turn towards the source of the stimulation. This aids greatly in helping the infant find the mother’s nipple, after 3 weeks this movement becomes voluntary. When placed face down in a pool of water, the infant has a reflex to kick and paddle. This reflex is called Swimming, and is another that is survival based. This would help if the infant was ever dropped in water by caregiver. Although there could be serious complications such as seizures, and brain swelling if baby ingests too much water. A few of the infant’s reflexes lead to fine and gross motor skills. The tonic neck reflex may prepare infant for voluntary reaching, when laying in the “fencing position”. Stepping is another reflex that promotes development for the child. When exercised regularly babies display more spontaneous stepping movements, therefore gaining more strength in their legs. A sudden loud sound or slight drop of neck would initiate the Moro reflex, also known as the “embracing reflex”. It was said that this reflex helped infants cling to their mothers in evolutionary pasts. If you stroke the bottom of an infant’s foot, the toes will fan out and curl as the foot twists in. The function for this reflex is unknown. The Palmar grasp is placing your
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