That moment when your newborn wraps their tiny fingers around yours is one of the most powerful first experiences of parenthood. It feels like connection. And actually, it is also neuroscience.
Your baby is born with a set of primitive reflexes, automatic responses built into the nervous system before birth. They are not random. Every single one has a purpose. And understanding them gives you a fascinating window into what is happening in your baby’s developing brain.
Born ready
Some of these reflexes begin in the womb. The rooting reflex, which causes your baby to turn towards a touch on their cheek with mouth open and ready, is one of the first. It is there to help them feed from the very first moment.
The Moro reflex is that dramatic full-body startle, arms wide then pulled back in, triggered by a sudden sound or movement. It developed to help babies cope with the physical shock of birth. Completely normal in those early weeks.
The palmar grasp, that irresistible grip on your finger, is present from around 11 weeks in the womb. As it matures into a deliberate pincer grip, something interesting follows. Language development begins to emerge alongside it. The two are neurologically linked.
Why they need to fade
Here is the part most parents do not know. These reflexes are not meant to stay. They are scaffolding. As the brain matures, more sophisticated voluntary responses replace them. Most should be gone by around 18 months.
Research suggests that when primitive reflexes persist beyond their expected window, they can be associated with difficulties including problems with learning, attention and coordination. Factors such as reduced tummy time in infancy may play a role in whether reflexes integrate as they should. ScienceDirect
This does not mean every baby who does less tummy time will have difficulties. Development is individual and complex. But it does mean that the small, purposeful activities you do with your baby in those early months genuinely matter.
What you can do
Tummy time every day is one of the most impactful things you can do. Even a few minutes on your chest counts. Gentle rocking, supported movement and responsive play all stimulate the vestibular system and support the natural process of reflex integration.
At Baby College, every class includes specific exercises designed to support this progression. They are not clinical or complicated. They look like play, because they are. The difference is that they are purposeful, repeated, and grounded in developmental science.
Your baby arrived ready. Your job is simply to help them grow into what they already have the potential to become.
Find a baby class near you at babycollege.co.uk/find-a-class
