There’s no single official count; clinicians commonly assess 8–10 primitive newborn reflexes, plus protective reflexes that persist.
Newborns arrive with hard-wired movements that kick in without thinking. These “primitive” actions help feeding, keep the airway safe, and tell doctors that the nervous system is ticking along. Parents often ask for a number. The truth is, different textbooks group them in slightly different ways. Most pediatric sources teach a core set that shows up at birth, then fades as voluntary control takes over in the first year.
How Many Neonatal Reflexes Are Recognized Today?
Short answer on the count: plan on a core list of nine or so reflexes that nearly every exam includes, plus a few protective reflexes that stay for life. The core list below uses names you’ll hear in clinics and baby books. The fading ages are ranges, not deadlines.
| Reflex | What You See | Typical Fade Age |
|---|---|---|
| Moro (Startle) | Arms fling out, then curl in after a loud noise or a feeling of falling. | 2–4 months |
| Rooting | Head turns and mouth opens toward a cheek touch. | 4–6 months |
| Sucking | Rhythmic suck starts when the roof of the mouth is touched. | Becomes voluntary by 3–4 months |
| Palmar Grasp | Fingers clamp firmly when the palm is stroked. | 5–6 months |
| Plantar Grasp | Toes curl down when the sole is stroked. | 9–12 months |
| Stepping | When held upright with feet on a surface, the legs “walk.” | ~2 months |
| Tonic Neck (ATNR) | Turned head side’s arm extends; the other bends — a “fencer” pose. | 5–7 months |
| Galant (Trunk Incurvation) | Stroke one side of the back; the trunk curves toward that side. | 2–6 months |
| Babinski (Extensor Plantar) | Big toe lifts and other toes fan when the sole is stroked. | 12–24 months |
Why the spread? Some lists split “feeding” into two items (rooting and sucking). Others bundle them. A few add a blink to light as a reflex, while many keep that in a “protective” bucket with cough and sneeze, which are lifelong. You’ll also see Landau and STNR in baby forums, yet those emerge later in infancy rather than right at birth.
For quick reference on the clinic side, the AAP’s guide to newborn reflexes lines up with chart above, and the StatPearls review of primitive reflexes explains why they fade as brain pathways mature.
What Makes The Count Vary
Lists reflect purpose. A parent handout aims for the patterns you’ll notice at home. A neurology text may name more, since each pattern can test a different circuit in the brainstem and spinal cord. Prematurity shifts timing too. The suck usually matures between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, so an early preterm baby may need time and support for coordinated feeding.
Primitive Versus Protective Reflexes
Primitive reflexes come first and then quiet down. Protective reflexes tend to stay. Blinking to bright light, gag when the throat is touched, and a quick cough are part of that second set. Those don’t get counted in the classic “how many,” since they aren’t expected to disappear.
Preterm Babies And Timing
In early babies, the pattern can be softer or intermittent. That’s expected when the pattern’s circuitry is still wiring up. Care teams watch for steady progress across the first weeks. Rooting and sucking should team up for smoother feeds as stamina grows. The step reflex tends to fade early, so don’t worry if it’s brief in a small or sleepy baby.
What Doctors Actually Check During Exams
During newborn and early well-baby visits, clinicians watch tone and symmetry while checking a standard set: Moro, palmar and plantar grasp, rooting, sucking, stepping, ATNR, Galant, and the extensor plantar response. The patterns shouldn’t be lopsided. A strong response on one side with a weak one on the other may point to a sore shoulder from birth, a clavicle injury, or less often a nerve issue. A weak or absent response across the board pushes the team to look at the baby’s overall state, recent medications, and any birth stress.
Feeding-Linked Patterns
Rooting gets your baby to the nipple. Sucking provides the rhythm. Many parents spot a “hand-to-mouth” helper, too. A light touch to the cheek or lip before latching encourages a wide mouth. A firm, close hold supports the reflexes and keeps energy for swallowing instead of head bobbing.
Movement And Startle Patterns
The startle is dramatic and can wake a light sleeper. Swaddling with hips flexed and arms snug at the sides reduces sudden arm fling without restricting breathing. The step reflex looks like tiny marching when feet touch a firm surface. ATNR appears as that classic fencer pose while the head turns. Galant shows up during diaper changes as a little side bend when the lower back skin is lightly stroked. Short naps can trigger startles.
Why These Reflexes Fade
As the cortex takes charge, early brainstem patterns get dialed down. The body shifts from automatic movements to goal-directed control. That is why you’ll see a startle shrink while reach and grasp improve. The change is gradual and doesn’t flip off in one day. Sleep state and hunger can mask or reveal patterns from one hour to the next, which is normal.
When Reflex Patterns Need A Closer Look
Ranges give room for normal. Even so, a few patterns raise flags when they stick around long past the usual fade, never appear, or only show on one side. Bring any concern to your pediatrician sooner rather than later. Videos on your phone help a lot.
| Reflex | Still Present After | Bring Up If You See |
|---|---|---|
| Moro | 4–6 months | Only on one side, or persists past 6 months. |
| Rooting | 6 months | No response in a hungry baby, or marked asymmetry. |
| Sucking | 4 months (then voluntary) | Poor latch, weak rhythm, or frequent choking with feeds. |
| Palmar Grasp | 6 months | Fist stays clenched most of the day or grasp prevents hand opening. |
| Plantar Grasp | 12 months | Toes stiffly curl and interfere with standing practice. |
| Stepping | 2 months | No stepping when alert and supported upright. |
| ATNR | 7 months | Persistent “fencer” pose that blocks rolling or reaching across midline. |
| Galant | 6 months | Marked trunk curve with skin touch that throws balance off. |
| Babinski | 24 months | No toe fan at all in a young infant, or extends far past age two. |
How To Observe Newborn Reflexes Safely
Set Up
Pick a calm window after a feed. Use a warm room and a firm, flat surface. Keep hands clean. Avoid strong perfumes and harsh light.
Gentle Prompts
- For rooting, touch the cheek near the mouth. Offer the nipple or bottle when the head turns.
- For sucking, touch the roof of the mouth with a clean finger or nipple and watch for rhythmic pulls.
- For grasp, stroke the palm or sole and let the hold happen. Don’t tug.
- For startle, avoid loud tests. Normal sounds or a small position shift will elicit the pattern.
- For stepping, hold the baby upright with feet touching the bed and watch for small alternating lifts.
Care Tips
Light swaddling can settle a baby who startles awake. Keep the wrap snug at the chest and loose at the hips. Lay the baby on the back for sleep. In daytime, give tummy time when awake and watched. That helps hands open from the palmar grasp and builds neck strength that softens ATNR. Gentle massage of the hands and feet helps the body relax between reflex prompts.
Common Myths About Newborn Reflexes
“A Big Startle Means A Problem”
The Moro can look dramatic. A strong startle by itself isn’t a red flag. The team looks at the full picture: tone, feeding, state control, and how the startle changes with swaddling and sleep. If the response only shows on one side, that’s different and worth a quick check of the arms and shoulders.
“The Step Reflex Predicts Walking Age”
That tiny marching pattern is a neat trick, not a forecast. Walking depends on strength, balance, and practice, long after the step fades.
Putting The Count To Work At Home
Think of the list as a handy cheat sheet rather than a scorecard. Use it to understand why your baby turns toward touch, clamps a finger, or startles during a nap. Build your daily routine around that knowledge. Offer the breast or bottle as soon as rooting starts. Pause a moment after a big startle and give a calm hold before trying to settle again. During play, give chances for both sides of the body to work: place toys to the left and right, roll a soft ball across midline, and let hands open and feel different textures during supervised tummy time.
Most of all, enjoy the show. These patterns change fast. A tight fist becomes a reach for your face. Toe fanning becomes a planted foot. That shift tells you the brain is learning how to steer. If a pattern seems stuck, or if feeds aren’t improving, bring it up. Early tweaks in position, latch, or daily play can make the next week smoother.
Quick Recap On Counts
There isn’t a single magic number. If you count the core primitive set present at birth, most clinicians land around nine. Add the protective group that remains for life, and the tally grows. What matters is the pattern: present early, symmetrical, then fading on a gentle schedule as your baby learns to move with purpose. If something feels off, bring a short clip to the next visit and ask.