- Home
- Advice Hub
- Baby
- Bonding & Development
- Baby Reflexes Explained: Types & What They Mean
Baby Reflexes: What they are, why they matter, and when to seek advice.
Discover the common baby reflexes such as rooting, sucking, Moro & more, and what they show about your baby’s development and when to ask your GP.
7 min
26/11/2025
In the first few weeks of life, babies do all sorts of little movements that can look surprising, twitchy or completely random. These movements are usually part of a set of in-built reflexes that every newborn arrives with. They are automatic responses that help your baby feed, protect themselves and gradually learn to move with purpose.
Understanding baby reflexes can be really reassuring, especially if you are wondering why your baby startles so easily or why they keep turning their head to one side. This guide walks you through the most common reflexes, what they mean, how they help your baby and when it is worth asking for extra advice.
What are baby reflexes
Baby reflexes are automatic actions that do not involve conscious control. They come from the brainstem and are present at birth because babies need them for survival and early development. These reflexes also give health professionals a quick way to understand how a baby’s nervous system is working.
As your baby grows, these reflexes slowly fade. You will start to notice fewer involuntary movements and more intentional ones, like reaching for a toy or lifting their head during tummy time.
Why reflexes matter
Reflexes are important for three main reasons.
- Survival - Reflexes help babies feed, latch, breathe safely and respond to sudden changes.
- Protection - Some reflexes, such as the startle reflex, act as an early-warning system.
- Developmental signposts - The presence, strength and timing of each reflex help health visitors and doctors understand how the brain and nervous system are developing. If a reflex is missing, very uneven or continues long after the expected age, it can be a sign that a baby needs a little extra support.
Common reflexes explained
Here are the main reflexes seen from birth through early infancy, what they look like and how long they usually last.
Rooting reflex
If you stroke your baby’s cheek or the corner of their mouth, they will turn their head and open their mouth. It helps babies find the breast or bottle. It is most noticeable in the first month. Usually fades by three to four months as feeding becomes more coordinated.
Sucking reflex
When something touches the roof of a baby’s mouth, they begin to suck. It allows babies to feed long before they can control their mouth muscles voluntarily. This reflex is strong from birth and becomes more of a conscious skill around three months. If you are worried that your baby is not sucking well it may be due to tongue tie, tiredness, or positioning, so it is always worth asking for feeding support if you are unsure.
Moro or startle reflex
A sudden noise or movement causes the baby to fling their arms out, then pull them back in. It can look dramatic but is very normal and it is especially strong in the first weeks. This is a protective response and is one of the most noticeable newborn reflexes. It is strongest in the first two months and begins to fade by four to five months. Get advice if the startle only happens on one side, is extremely exaggerated or is completely absent in a newborn.
Tonic neck reflex (sometimes called the fencing reflex)
When a baby turns their head to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends. It is thought to prepare babies for later hand-eye coordination. This reflex is most common from birth to four or five months.It is normal if you do not see this reflex all the time. It appears more when babies are calm and lying on their back.
Palmar and plantar grasp reflexes
For the palmar reflex - if you place your finger in your baby’s palm, they will grip it firmly. If you stroke the sole of the foot near the toes, the toes curl downwards which is the plantar reflex. These grips help with early bonding and prepare the hands and feet for later coordinated movements. The palmar grasp fades by around five to six months but the plantar grasp disappears later, usually by nine to twelve months.
Stepping reflex
When you hold your baby upright with their feet touching a firm surface, they make stepping movements. This is not a sign that a baby is ready to walk. It is simply an early program the brain uses to practise weight shifting. This usually fades by two months, long before a baby later learns to pull to stand and walk intentionally.
Other reflexes parents may hear about
Professionals sometimes check additional reflexes such as the Babinski sign or the Galant reflex. These are mainly used during clinical assessments and parents do not need to look for them at home. They help doctors understand the bigger picture of a baby’s nervous system development.
How reflexes turn into voluntary movement
As your baby’s brain matures, automatic reflexes step back and controlled movements take their place. For example:
- The rooting reflex fades once babies can turn their head and latch with purpose
- The grasp reflex disappears as babies start to intentionally reach and hold toys
- The stepping reflex fades long before proper weight-bearing and early walking skills emerge
This transition is gradual. You may see a mix of reflexive and purposeful movement for a while, which is normal.
When to seek advice
Every baby is different, and there is a wide range of normal. However, it is helpful to seek advice from a health visitor, GP or paediatrician if:
- A reflex that should be present is not appearing
- A reflex appears very strongly on one side but not the other
- A reflex continues long after the expected age
- You notice unusual stiffening, jerking or repetitive movements that do not fit a typical reflex
- Your baby seems floppy, very stiff or struggles to coordinate feeding
Parents should never feel they are bothering anyone by asking. Reflex concerns are very common, and early reassurance or support is always worthwhile.
Tips for supporting your baby
You do not need to test or trigger reflexes at home. They will appear naturally during cuddles, feeds and everyday care.
A few gentle ways to support development include:
- Offering plenty of skin-to-skin time
- Allowing the baby to explore their hands and fingers
- Using calm feeding positions with good head support
- Introducing short tummy-time sessions when baby is awake and alert
- Giving babies the chance to practise turning their head both ways
- Keeping stimulation gentle and responsive rather than forcing movements
Every baby develops at their own pace, and reflexes do not disappear overnight. They simply fade as your baby gains more control, strength and coordination.
Baby reflexes are a fascinating part of early development. They help babies feed, feel safe and begin learning how to move. Although some of these reflexes can look dramatic, they are usually a normal sign that your baby’s nervous system is working exactly as it should.
As the months go by, you will start to see fewer automatic movements and more purposeful ones. This shift is a natural part of development and marks the beginning of your baby learning how to control their own body.
If you ever have questions about what you are seeing, reach out to your midwife, health visitor or GP. Reflexes are just one part of your baby's overall development, and the right support can make the journey feel calmer and more connected.
FAQs around baby reflexes
Primitive reflexes, survival reflexes and postural reflexes.
Yes. Their presence and gradual disappearance help professionals understand how your baby's nervous system is maturing.
There is no need. Reflexes appear naturally during daily care.
Not always. Some babies are simply relaxed or sleepy. If you never see a grasp in the early weeks, or it only happens on one side, mention it to your health visitor.
Rooting, sucking and swallowing reflexes work together to help babies latch, feed and coordinate breathing in the early weeks.
