Newborn and Reflexes
(General Information for new parents – always consult your Health Care Professional if you have concerns about your baby)
The most magical part of your baby is watching them – watching them watching you!!! and responding to you, as you teach them about their new world!!!
This is so special … as you and your baby learn to communicate …. as you respond to you baby and re-enforce what they do … this is the basis of developing their self esteem.
You wonder about your newborn and reflexes … are they behaving as they “should” and there are so many variables!!!
Your newborn baby is born with a number of reflexes which may only be present for a few days: reflexes like a “stepping” reflex sometimes referred to as a ‘walking reflex”, where your newborn, when held upright with feet resting against a solid surface – the natural reflex will be to lift the leg as in a stepping motion.
The “clasp” reflex is another reflex that your newborn baby will use initially - the baby clings to an object, your finger etc and can hold on quite firmly.
A cuddle reflex – your baby will naturally be inclined to cuddle in towards you.
Your newborn and reflexes that will assist him/her with feeding – there are two - the “rooting” reflex and a “sucking” reflex.
When the nipple presses into the baby’s cheek, the baby will automatically turn towards where the pressure is coming from, opening their mouth at the same time, assuming that it is the nipple. If you try to use your hand/fingers to turn your baby’s head towards the nipple when feeding – your baby’s reflex is to turn to where the pressure is coming from, opening the mouth at the same time.
Used correctly, this reflex will help you attach your newborn baby correctly for breast-feeding. Do you see that if you use your finger to try to turn your baby’s head – you will confuse the baby, so it’s a good idea not to be touching the baby’s cheek or head during a feed. Don’t try tapping your baby on the cheek to wake the baby when feeding, - a little tug on the foot is a better idea.
The “sucking” reflex is obviously needed for your newborn baby to be able to feed. This preterm infants, this reflex is evident by 36 weeks of gestation. If your preterm infant has not yet developed this reflex, the hospital unit where your baby is being cared for, will assist your baby with feeding, either by feeding your baby directly into the bloodstream (intravenously) or by placing a tube into your baby’s stomach (intra-gastrically). In a full-term newborn infant the sucking reflex is present.
Your newborn and reflexes that you will find so amusing is that of mimicking. You will watch this develop as your baby grows day by day. As you hold your baby directly in front of you, try to engage your baby with eye contact, and mimic - continued below ...
