Video summary

Reflexes in newborn babies

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / concepts

  • Newborns (especially full-term) have natural reflexes at birth, which can be used as signs of typical early development.
  • Common reflexes mentioned:
    • Sucking
    • Walking-related stepping
    • Holding/grasping
    • Startle/Moro reflex
  • If these reflexes are present in full-term newborns, parents can be reassured that the baby’s development is likely normal.
  • Premature babies may not show the reflexes fully yet, because they have more development to complete.
  • After birth, a midwife or pediatrician/neonatologist checks for these reflexes as part of the assessment.
  • These reflexes are temporary and disappear over time as the baby matures and grows stronger.

Demonstrated methodology (reflex-check steps shown in the video)

Walking / leg movement check

  • The examiner positions the newborn so the baby’s legs move in a walking/stepping motion.
  • Example shown with Esme (legs already show stepping behavior).

General tone/posture observation (central tone)

  • The examiner assesses the baby’s central tone (described as “low” in the example).
  • The baby may arch over the examiner’s hand, interpreted in the context of newborn development.

Moro (startle) reflex test

  1. Check by dropping the baby slightly backward into the examiner’s palms.
  2. Observe the reflex response:
    • Baby appears “startled”
    • Arms fling out to the sides
    • Eyes open
  3. Confirm recovery:
    • Arms and eyes return to normal position after the startle response.

Grasp/holding reflex test (hands)

  1. Open the baby’s hand
  2. Place the examiner’s thumb pad into the baby’s palm
  3. Observe:
    • Baby grips the examiner’s fingers

Grasp/holding reflex test (feet/toes)

  • Observe similar flexing/gripping behavior in the feet—specifically toe flexion.

Symmetry check

  • The examiner checks whether reflexes are symmetrical, including observation “from the side.”
  • The assessment includes the baby being very alert during the evaluation.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Victoria’s midwife: Andrea
  • Consultant neonatologist: Ryan Watkins
  • Newborn babies used as examples: Esme and Tamami

Original video