REFLEXES OF THE NEONATE

REFLEXES	Description	Age disappears
Babinski	Stroking outer sole of foot upward causes toes to hyperextend and fan and great toe to dorsiflex	after 1 year of age
Grasping	Touching palms of hands or soles of feet causes flexion of hands and toes    Plantar Grasp Reflex- flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked	palmar grasp - after 3 months of age  plantar grasp - lessened by 8 months of age
Moro/Startle	Sudden jarring causes extension and abduction of extremities and fanning of fingers with index finger and thumb forming a C shape,	after 3–4 months
Rooting	When side of cheek is brushed gently, neonate turns head and opens mouth	3-4 months
Stepping	Neonate moves feet in a stepping motion when held  upright with soles of feet touching flat surface	2 months
Suck	When nipple, pacifier or clean finger is placed in neonate’s mouth, neonate begins to suck	10-12 months
Tonic neck /fencing	When head is turned to side, arm and leg extend on that side, and opposite arm and leg flex,	by age 3–4 months