1. Reflexes

2. Reflexes • Instinctively know how to do these. • Life-saving • Pediatrician will check w/in first day or two of life.

3. Rooting • Trigger: A gentle stroke on the newborn’s cheek • Response: Baby turns toward the touch, with mouth open • Duration: Until baby is three to four months old (sometimes, babies continue doing this in their sleep past four months old) • Reason: Helps baby find food

4. Suck • Trigger: Something, such as a nipple (breast or bottle) or parent’s finger, touching roof of baby’s mouth • Response: Baby sucks on nipple • Duration: Three to four months • Reason: Helps baby eat

5. Moro/Startle • Trigger: Loud noise (even baby’s own cry!), sudden movement, or sensation of falling • Response: Baby cries and extends legs, arms, and fingers, arches back, then retracts arms and legs • Duration: Until baby is four to six months old • Reason: Baby’s first attempts to protect himself from harm • If baby startles himself awake: Try swaddling him to make him feel more secure

6. Moro/Startle

7. Babinski • Trigger: A gentle stroke on the sole of the foot (from heel to toe) • Response: Foot turns in and toes flare up • Duration: Six to 24 months • Reason: Perhaps an attempt to protect against falling

8. Stepping • Trigger: Holding baby upright with his feet on a flat surface • Response: Baby lifts one foot, then the other, as if walking • Duration: About two months • Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for walking several months from now

9. Tonic Neck • Trigger: Lying on his back with head turned to one side • Response: The arm on that side extends, while the opposite arm bends at the elbow (a “fencing” position) • Duration: About six months (sometimes not present until two months of age) • Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary reaching later

11. Palmar Grasp • Trigger: Pressing a finger or other object, such as a rattle, into baby’s palm • Response: Baby makes a fist and tries to grab finger • Duration: Three to four months • Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary grasping later • Fun fact: Baby’s grip can be strong enough to support his entire body weight

12. Video Clips • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyVLD0hl0XY • http://player.vimeo.com/video/26021157 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwvv5IyPkXM