Certain survival reflexes are present in the baby at the time of birth. These reflexes are essential and helpful for the child to adjust life in the totally bright world out of the mother’s safe and dark womb. Babies are cute and sweet but some how they fear and scared of falling. This odd fear is termed as Moro reflex.
It will be surprising to know that this reflex develops in the very early stage in the womb itself. It starts from the tenth to twelfth week of conception and is developed to the greatest extend till the birth of the child. It is also referred as the baby’s alarm reflex. There has been found no apparent reason for this. But that is not very important; the importance should be given to the god’s beauty to create baby’s reflexes. The Mother Nature provides certain reflexes in the baby that protect and help the baby in the entire possible manner. They protect them and create a feeling of security and also a way to express them. Reflexes are slowly replaced by the voluntary actions with time.
Some reflexes like the grasping reflex disappears with time, while some do not and stay for life long like the breathing reflex. Breathing reflex is the one to begin the first. It initiates the moment the baby’s head and chest is out from the mother’s womb. Startle is another kind of reflex seen in babies as a result of sudden loud noise. If a sudden loud noise takes place or one happens to startle the baby by mistake it is advisable to soothe the baby till he feels secure and relaxed. Palmer grasp is also a kind of baby’s reflex action. The baby holds tight ones finger or hairs or cloth given in the palm. Baby’s cries are the initiative action of the baby’s reflex. With time the baby tries to communicate his needs and wants through cries. Walking reflex is seen from the 3rd or the 4th week of birth itself though the baby starts to walk only after the 10th or the 11th month. Also the crawling reflex is seen in babies. They try crawling and this lasts around for 2-3 months. Search reflex is seen in all the babies. Through this reflex the baby shows the want of food. If one touches the baby’s cheeks with hands or the breast the baby will open the mouth. Other very common seen baby reflex is the sucking reflex. Putting ones finger in the babies’ mouth, the baby starts to suck the finger. Diving reflex is the safety from water is also known in many babies. This proves that the baby will not drown if in any case born in the water. Another reflex seen in babies is called the Babinski reflex. Striking the baby’s one foot, shows that the big toe will curl and the other toes will tend to spread out. This reflex is seen for about two months.
