Primitive reflexes are automatic and driven by environment. As the baby’s brain develops these automatic reflexes are no longer needed or integrated into the cortical brain. This is essential for developing higher executive functions that are critical to learning and social interactions.

Stepping reflex surfaces at 37 weeks in utero, presents at birth, disappears at age 3 to 4 months then reappears again at 12 to 24 months. Stepping reflex is when the baby is held in an upright position and the soles of the baby’s feet are placed firm on hard surface, the baby will place one foot in from of the other foot in a walking motion.

Heel reflex is present at birth and disappears at age 3 weeks. Heel reflex is when the heel is tapped with the hip and knee joint flexed and the ankle joint stays in position.

What if Stepping reflex still retains?

Toe walking causing very tight calf muscles

Poor balance and coordination

Visual problems

What if Heel reflex still retains?

Heavy heel walking

Poor core stability

Poor balance

Visual problems

Rooting reflex is present at birth and disappears at age 6 to 12 months. When the baby’s cheek is stroked, the baby’s head will turn towards where the stroke was made. And the baby will start sucking which aids in breastfeeding. Rooting reflex and Sucking reflex are interrelated. Sucking reflex is present at birth and causes the baby to suck at anything that touches the roof of their mouth.

What if Rooting reflex still retains?

Speech delay – related to position of tongue and movement of tongue

Atypical swallow patterns – reluctant to swallow

Not able to chew and grind food properly

Not able to close mouth fully

Hand movements will cause mouth to move or vice versa

Hypersensitivity to tactile stimulation around lips and mouth

What if Sucking reflex still retains?

Dislike food that needs to be chewed

Sucking on fingers or objects

Arched palate

Poor speech articulation – poor muscle control in the mouth

Spinal Galant reflex is surfaces at 20 weeks in utero, presents at birth and should disappears at age 3 to 6 months.

Spinal Galant reflex is when the baby is held face down and a touch down the back to the side of the spine will cause the trunk and hip to flex toward where the touch was made. This reflex helps with development of hip movement and the range of motion that would associate with Asymmetrical Tonic Neck reflex with the birthing process.

This reflex helps with the beginning balance and coordination that would help with crawling and walking. It is also associated with bladder control.

What if Spinal Galant reflex still retains?

Poor bladder control – bedwetting beyond the age of 5

Poor bowel control

Attention difficulties – fidgets when sitting

Poor coordination

Poor posture

Poor speech, reading and spelling skills

Scoliosis – curvature of the spine