The walking reflex, which appears approximately on the fourth day of life, is an instinctive movement similar to that of walking. Learn more about this action and others that indicate that your baby is developing properly.
The walking reflex is an instinctive behavior that occurs in babies during their first month of life. Like many others, it’s an indicator of the healthy development of newborns. Let’s see what it consists of and what its warning signs are.
The appearance of reflexes is the most effective way that pediatricians have to assess whether babies are developing according to expectations. The most common is the Landau reflex, the gripping reflex, the Moor and the sucking reflex.
To this list, we could add the walking reflex, which appears approximately on the fourth day of life.
It’s really an eye-catching action for such a small being: so much so that recently a video that showed a newborn “walking” became viral.
According to normal parameters, the walking reflex should disappear when the baby reaches his first month of life. If it extends further, it could be considered as a warning signal, as we’ll see later.
How to assess the walking reflex?
The way to examine it is very simple: you must hold the baby by his armpits and place him upright as if he were standing. His response should be to extend and flex his feet and move them alternately as if he were trying to walk.
Also known as the “stepping reflex” or “primitive reflex“, this reflex usually reappears voluntarily later, between the eighth and twelfth month of life. By this time, the baby is getting ready to start walking.
When to worry?
The loss of reflexes isn’t a cause for concern if it occurs in due time. Given that the baby is learning, little by little, to manage his actions, it’s perfectly natural to stop reacting instinctively to each external stimulus.
In fact, what should cause alarm is the permanence of reflexes that should have disappeared. This could indicate a delay or deterioration in the baby’s motor development.
In these cases, the professionals proceed to examine the baby in greater depth to determine which steps to follow.
The loss of reflexes with the passage of time is perfectly natural, given that the baby is learning, little by little, to govern his actions and to stop reacting instinctively to each external stimulus.
Other reflexes characteristic of the first months
Along with the walking reflex, other so-called primary or archaic reflexes appear during the first weeks of life, including:
Sucking reflex. This is the one that allows babies to drink from their mother’s breast to feed themselves, but it also occurs when other objects are brought to their lips.
Rooting reflex. Babies should try to reach towards our finger when we touch close to their mouth. It also allows them to find their mother’s breast for breastfeeding.
Prehension reflex. When we bring something close to their hand, they will try to hold it by closing it. It can also occur on the feet.
Moro reflex. This is a defensive response in babies. In these cases, they cross their arms and then place them on their chest.
Crossed-arm reflex (Moro). When babies hear a loud blow or experience an unexpected change of position, they suddenly separate the arms and then put them on their chest. This disappears after 6 months.
Babinski reflex. Babies open their fingers in a fan shape when they rub the sole of their feet with an object.
Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex. Indicates body coordination. When the babies’ head is kept to one side, the arm and the leg on that side remain extended. If they rotate their head, it bends.
In addition, babies also develop reflexes that will remain throughout their life. These include yawning, blinking, sneezing, coughing and deglutition.
Because of all of the above, it’s extremely important to comply with all the checkups and tests indicated during the first months of your baby’s life.
The pediatrician is in charge, even minutes after the delivery, of corroborating that all the child’s functions work perfectly. Keeping controls up to date will allow you to be sure that everything is going well with your baby’s development.
Fortunately, there are many types of bibs for babies on the market. In addition to meal times, they’re also great for other messy activities. Mothers always look for useful items to face the challenges of everyday life with their little ones. Specifically,…
During their first few months of life, breast milk offers babies all the nutrients they need. However, at some point, it will be time to help your baby try new foods. That’s when the following tips will come in handy.…
As the years go by and new information comes out, some women choose to follow the vegan diet. In fact, well-planned vegetarian diets are usually very healthy. However, if women are pregnant, it’s important to pay special attention to breastfeeding to…
One of the tasks that awakens much uncertainty in parents, especially first-timers, is to cut their baby’s nails. However, this is a need that can’t often be postponed. Ingrown nails in babies cause issues that can be both annoying and painful. In…
Babies require special hygiene care to stay healthy. That’s why there are several tools on the market for your baby’s bath time to make this process safe and effective. Tools for your baby’s bath time Keeping your baby clean, as well…
Some people believe that most babies are born around the same time of day – between 6 and 10 in the morning. However, variability may be due to how women give birth, as well as other external or internal factors. This…