Your baby’s newborn reflexes – called developmental reflexes or primitive reflexes – are survival instincts triggered by their central nervous system. A reflex can be a spontaneous movement, but it is usually a response to something, such as a sudden sound or movement, or the feeling of something in the hand or cheek.

You don’t need to do anything to encourage these movements, but tell your baby’s doctor if your baby doesn’t seem to have one of these reflexes, if it’s on one side of the body but not the other (or not equally strong on both sides), or if the reflex does not go away about the time it is expected. These can be signs that something is wrong with the baby’s brain or nervous system.

“Don’t panic if you can’t trigger the newborn reflex at home,” says Liz Donner, MD, a pediatric hospitalist and member of BabyCenter’s medical advisory board. “Even a skilled doctor can have difficulty eliciting every reflex. Just bring it up at your next appointment so your pediatrician can do a thorough exam and ask relevant questions before offering reassurance or deciding to do further testing.”

Most infant reflexes disappear in the first year, but some remain into adulthood. As adults, we still blink, cough, convulse, sneeze, and yawn in response to triggers, as we have done since childhood.

Root reflex

What is the cheer reflex?

You may have experienced your baby cheering for his first meal shortly after birth. This reflex helps them find the nipple and start sucking. Touch your nipple (or bottle nipple, or even your finger) to your baby’s cheek, lips, or the side of her mouth and she’ll turn toward you, mouth open, in anticipation of a feed. They might even start sucking.

When a baby coos, it’s not just cute – it’s also a good sign that they’re hungry. (For more clues, watch our video on 8 Signs Your Baby is Hungry.)

“My 3-week-old is eating, but sometimes when I put her over my shoulder to burp her, she’ll squeal like crazy and try to suck on my cheek,” she says. BabyCenter Community member marieannaaa. “She gets mad that she can’t, but calms down when I give her a pacifier.”

How long does it take?

Babies are born with a rooting reflex and it lasts until about 4 months of age.

Moro or startle reflex

What is the Moro reflex?

A loud noise or sudden movement may cause your baby to arch his back, stretch out his legs and arms, perhaps cry, and then pull his arms and legs back in. This can also happen if the baby’s head moves quickly or if the head falls back (or even if you lay them down a little too quickly). It’s called the Moro or startle reflex, and it’s an involuntary attempt to protect themselves.

Even their own cry or sudden movement can startle the baby enough to trigger the Moro reflex. This reflex can interrupt their sleep – but there are ways to prevent this and prevent your baby from startling.

How long does it take?

The Moro reflex develops when your baby is still in the womb, at 32 weeks. It peaks during the first month after birth and usually subsides around 2 months of age. Sometimes the astonishment can last three or four months. Some babies continue to startle for longer, but if your baby still has the startle reflex after 6 months, talk to your baby’s doctor.

Grandmother’s reflex

What is the Babinski reflex?

Stroke the bottom of your baby’s foot and she will extend her big toe back towards the top of her foot and spread the other toes. This is called the plantar reflex or the Babinski reflex, named after the French neurologist Joseph Babinski, who first described the reflex at the end of the nineteenth century.

How long does it take?

This reflex lasts between 12 months and 2 years. Babinski reflex in a child older than 2 years (or in an adult) can be a sign of a central nervous system disorder, such as meningitis, stroke or neurodegenerative disease.

Tonic neck reflex

What is the tonic neck reflex?

Once your baby is in this position, you’ll see why it’s also called the “fencing reflex.” (Experts call this the asymmetric tonic cervical reflex.) When your baby is lying on his back, if you turn his head to one side, the arm on that side will extend while the opposite arm bends at the elbow. Turn the baby’s head to the other side, and the arm on that side will reach out as the opposite arm bends.

This movement can sometimes be subtle, and your baby may not do it if they are upset or crying.

How long does it take?

The tonic reflex develops when you are about 35 weeks pregnant and will last until your baby is 5 to 7 months old.

A gallant reflex

What is the gallant reflex?

Caress the baby along the spine while it is on its stomach and it will jerk its hips towards the side you are stimulating.

How long does it take?

Your baby will do this for a month or two after birth.

Sucking reflex

What is the sucking reflex?

Touch the roof of your baby’s mouth and she’ll start sucking—breast, finger, pacifier, whatever’s inside. The hand-to-mouth reflex complements the sucking reflex – it’s how a baby can start sucking their thumb or fingers.

How long does it take?

You may have seen ultrasound photos of babies sucking their fists. This survival reflex begins to develop around 21 to 24 weeks of pregnancy, but is not fully developed until around 36 weeks. (This is why some premature babies may not have a strong sucking reflex.)

“My daughter is almost 5 months old and she still tries to suck everything like it’s supposed to be a pacifier,” he says BabyCenter Community member Flamingo33. “If someone holds her even close to a nursing position, she immediately turns to try to nurse. She also roots during tummy time. I think she’ll outgrow that, but right now everything still has the potential to be food for them.”

It takes some coordination to breathe, suck, and swallow, so some babies take a while to learn to eat effectively.

Step reflex

What is the step reflex?

This startling reflex is also called the walking or dancing reflex. Hold your baby upright with his feet in contact with a flat surface and he will appear to take steps, slowly extending and bending one leg after the other. Your baby can’t support its own weight, of course, but it looks like it’s walking or dancing!

How long does it take?

This reflex will disappear in about 2 months. When your baby learns to walk—usually between 9 and 15 months, although some babies don’t walk until 18 months—the movement will be voluntary and no longer a reflex. This will include strength, balance and a good dose of confidence.

Palmar grasping reflex

What is the palmar grasp reflex?

Your baby won’t be able to grab things on purpose until he’s about 6 months old. Meanwhile, they have the grasping reflex that appears in so many cute baby photos.

Place your finger in your baby’s palm and she will curl her little fingers around it. Your baby may even tighten their grip if you try to remove the finger. It’s instinctive for now, and it feels strong, but don’t depend on it. Your baby may let go suddenly.

How long does it take?

The palmar reflex is established by the 32nd week of pregnancy. It lasts until your baby is around 5 to 6 months old.