Baby Walking Reflex

Man has both innate and learned reflections, or reflexes. Most of them disappear during the first six months as the central nervous system and voluntary movements develop. Reflectors are the main functions of the developing nervous system and motor responses to stimuli. Following them is one of the most effective ways to find out if a child is developing as expected. The walking reflex occurs during the first few weeks of life when the child begins to lift his legs and as if walking in the air when he is held in the armpits in an upright position so that his soles touch some surface.

When to worry?

The disappearance of the walking reflex is not a cause for concern if it occurs at the right time. As the baby gradually learns to control his functions, it is only natural that at some point he will no longer react instinctively to every external stimulus. The walking reflection normally disappears when the baby is about a month old, but can still appear after this when the child is in the water. If this reflex still occurs after a month on dry land, it is advisable to discuss it with a clinic or doctor, as this may be a sign of a delay or decline in the child’s motor development. However, there is no need to worry if the reflector burns when the child is 8-12 months old. By this age, the child has already begun to prepare for walking.

Other baby developmental reflections

In addition to the walking reflex, the child also develops other primary reflexes during the first weeks of life:

• Neck reflectors. When the child’s head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on one side are outstretched and the limbs on the other side are bent.
• Haunting and searching reflectors. This occurs when the child’s cheek is patched. Then she turns her head and starts looking for her mother’s breast.
• Sucking reflex. After receiving a nipple or pacifier in his mouth, the baby begins to suck.
• Parachute reflector. This is a protective reflex that occurs when a child feels falling. In that case, he reaches out his hand quickly as if trying to grab something above him or to protect himself from falling. This reflection is maintained in humans throughout life.

• Adhesion reflector. When you bring an object or thing near your baby’s hand, the baby tries to grab it. The same can happen on the feet.
• Moron reflection. This flare reflection is one of a child’s first reflexes. In it, the child’s hands make a sudden, wide arc resembling an embrace. Reflection occurs especially when a child is placed lying on their back, in addition to which it can be triggered by loud noises and other frightening stimuli of the child.
• Babinski’s reflection. When the soles of the feet are scratched, the baby’s toes tighten.

In addition to the parachute reflection, certain other reflexes also persist throughout life. These include yawning, blinking, sneezing, coughing, and swallowing.