What to Expect in the First Few Weeks Welcome Home, Baby! What to Expect in the First Few Weeks

Babies are pretty darn smart, right from the start Babies are pretty darn smart, right from the start. They are born with reflexes adults no longer have, but that help them on a variety of levels. Reflex: an automatic, instinctive response. In fact, from day one, babies instinctively know how to grasp a finger and root for the breast, along with several other reflexes that your baby’s pediatrician will check on during his or her first day or two of life (and at subsequent well-baby checkups).  Some newborn reflexes are for very specific reasons (eg., survival), whereas others don’t serve a specific purpose, but can be explained. Similarly, some reflexes are permanent (eg., pupillary reflex; blinking; gag reflex; swallowing; yawning; etc.), whereas others will disappear as the baby ages. NEWBORN REFLEXES

MORO REFLEX (also called Startle Reflex) Trigger: While some babies sometimes startle for no apparent reason, usually it’s in response to a loud noise, a sudden movement, or the sensation of falling (say, when you put your little one down in his or her bassinet without enough support). Response: Baby will tighten his or her body, fling his or her arms up and out, and open up his or her usually tightly clenched fists, draw up his or her knees, and then bring his or her arms and re-clenched fists close to his or her body — almost as if he or she is giving him or herself a hug. Seconds later, as abruptly as the startle started, it’s over. Reason: Baby’s first attempt to protect himself from harm/immature nervous system. How long does the startle reflex last? By the time your baby’s about 6 weeks old, he or she wiill acclimate to life on the outside, and feel more secure in his or her surroundings (thanks to you). His or her startle reflex will decrease and ultimately disappear when baby is 4 to 6 months old. In the meantime, don’t sweat the startles — but do try to offer your infant lots of extra support when you’re toting him or her from one place to another.  If baby startles himself awake: Try swaddling baby to make him or her feel more secure. What does it mean if there's no Startle Reflex? Abnormalities in the Moro Reflex are usually discovered by your baby's doctor. But if you notice a change between visits, you should contact your pediatrician immediately. If your baby doesn't react, it could mean damage to his or her brain or spinal cord, or another injury. Only your pediatrician will be able to perform the test to find out what's going on. MORO REFLEX (also called Startle Reflex)

ROOTING REFLEX Trigger: A gentle stroke on the newborn’s cheek Response: Baby turns toward the touch, with mouth open How long does the root reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 3 to 4 months old (sometimes, babies continue doing this in their sleep past 4 months old) Reason: Helps baby find food ROOTING REFLEX

Trigger: Something, such as a nipple (breast or bottle) or parent’s finger, touching roof of baby’s mouth Response: Baby sucks on nipple, finger, etc. How long does the suck reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 2 to 4 months old Reason: Helps baby eat SUCKING REFLEX

PALMAR REFLEX (Grasping Reflex) 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 or object How long does the grasp reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 3 to 6 months old Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary grasping later Fun fact: Baby’s grip can be strong enough to support his entire body weight (but no need to test this out) PALMAR REFLEX (Grasping Reflex)

WALKING (or Stepping) REFLEX Trigger: Holding baby upright with his feet on a flat surface Response: Baby lifts one foot, then the other, as if walking How long does the stepping reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 2 months old Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for walking several months from now WALKING (or Stepping) REFLEX

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) How long does the tonic reflex last? Appears some time between birth and when baby is 2 months old and lasts until baby is 4 to 6 months old Reason: May prepare baby developmentally for voluntary reaching later TONIC NECK REFLEX

Trigger: A gentle stroke on the sole of the foot (from heel to toe) Response: Foot turns in and toes flare up How long foes the Babinski's reflex last? Appears at birth and lasts until baby is 6 to 24 months old Reason: Perhaps an attempt to protect against falling The Babinski Reflex is replaced by the Plantar Reflex, which is permanent once it appears. In this reflex, the toes retract (curl under) when the sole of the foot is stroked. BABINSKI’S REFLEX