Question

Describe two reflexes that infants display.

Short answer

Two reflexes that infants display are the rooting and Moro reflexes. The rooting reflex helps them locate food, occurring when the corner of a baby's mouth is stroked, causing them to turn their head and open their mouth in the direction of the stroking. The Moro reflex is a protective startle response, occurring when a baby throws back its head, stretches out its arms and legs, cries, then pulls the arms and legs back in, usually in response to a loud sound or sudden movement.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Reflexes

A reflex is an automatic (unlearned) response to a specific stimulus. Let's prepare this concept in more detail.

Describing Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex is a survival mechanism in newborns, which assist in breastfeeding. It occurs when the corner of a baby's mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn its head and open its mouth to follow and 'root' in the direction of the stroking. This helps the baby find the source of food, i.e., mother's nipple.

Describing Moro Reflex

The Moro reflex is often called a startle reflex because it usually occurs when a baby is startled by a loud sound or movement. In response to the sound, the baby throws back its head, stretches out its arms and legs, cries, then pulls the arms and legs back in. This reflex serves a protective role, helping the baby to clutch for support while falling.

Key concepts

Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex is an instinctual behavior critical for newborn survival, specifically for the purpose of nourishing the infant. When the corner of a baby's mouth is gently stroked or touched, the infant reflexively turns its head toward the stimulus and opens its mouth. This natural reaction is one of the 'automatic responses' that babies have right from birth. It plays a pivotal role in helping a baby find the mother's breast or bottle for feeding.

From an evolutionary standpoint, the rooting reflex is remarkable for its direct involvement in ensuring a baby's growth and development. So, when parents or caregivers notice this reflex, they can be comforted knowing that it's a healthy sign the infant is biologically programmed to feed and thrive.

Moro Reflex

Also known as the startle reflex, the Moro reflex is another automatic response that can be observed in newborns. It is typically triggered when a baby experiences a sudden loss of support or hears a loud noise. The natural reaction involves the baby throwing back its head and extending its arms and legs outwards, followed by pulling them back in, often accompanied by crying.

This reflex is considered a primitive 'automatic response' that may have offered survival advantages in the past. It likely evolved as a way for an infant to hold onto their caregiver tightly in moments of danger. The Moro reflex is usually seen in full-term babies and is one visible sign that the baby's neurological system is developing as expected.

Automatic Response

An 'automatic response' refers to a reflex action that occurs without voluntary control, and typically, without conscious thought. These reflexes are present from birth and are a key part of an infant's immediate adaptation to the world.

In the context of infant reflexes like rooting and Moro, automatic responses are mechanisms through which the body naturally reacts to certain stimuli to support survival. Since these reflexes do not involve a conscious decision, they can be particularly helpful in assessing the neurological health and maturation of infants in their early developmental stages.

Newborn Survival Mechanisms

Newborn survival mechanisms are innate behaviors and physiological processes that are essential for the immediate sustenance and protection of an infant. These reflexes go beyond the rooting and Moro reflexes and include various others like the suckling reflex and the grasp reflex.

Such mechanisms are automatically activated in response to environmental triggers, and while they are present from birth, they typically phase out as the child grows and gains more voluntary control over their actions. They are essential for pediatricians to monitor, as they can provide significant insights into the health and development of infants.