Newborn Reflex Development

                                                                                                           

Babies are born with reflexes that will help them transition to life and stimulate their growth and development.  Reflexes are automatic and involuntary responses to stimulation.  Babies movements are better understood when one is aware of what these reflexes look like.  We can also assist our babies with learning, interaction and development by responding appropriately to these reflex movements.

MORO or STARTLE REFLEX: Sudden movement, sound, or light can cause a baby to bring out their hands and feet followed by a deep breath and bringing hands and feet back in toward the body and clenching their fists. This reflex should disappear at about 2 months.                                                                              

TIP:  Setting off this reflex can make your baby uncomfortable and irritable therefore avoid unpredictable movements, loud noises, and sudden light transitions when possible. Another trigger to this response is your infant’s uncontrolled hand and foot movements.  Keeping your baby swaddled is another way to decrease unnecessary startle responses. 

                                                                            

ROOTING REFLEX: By touching a baby’s cheek or mouth a baby will turn their head toward the touch. The baby’s mouth will open and their tongue will move around, the baby is preparing to eat. This reflex should disappear at about 4 months.                                                                                                                       

TIP: Before your infant develops control over his body movements, flailing arms can stimulate the rooting response. This can be distressing for your baby especially during feedings.  You can keep your baby’s arms wrapped in a blanket during feedings to eliminate this problem.

PALMAR GRASP: Light touch or pressure to the palm of the hand will stimulate a fisting motion. This reflex should disappear at about 6 months.                                                                                                         

TIP:  You can use this response to help teach your baby to hold rings and small rattles.  Encourage him to bring them to his mouth and eyes to explore, learn, and look at.

PLANTAR/BABINSKY REFLEX: When the sole of a baby’s foot is stroked the toes will spread and curl and the foot will turn slightly inward. This reflex should disappear by the end of the first year.
TIP: Make sure your baby gets enough tummy time because stimulating this response on the floor is one way that helps your baby learn to crawl and eventually walk.

ASSYMETRIC TONIC NECK REFLEX: When a baby is laying on his back if his head is turned to one side his arm and leg on the side he is looking at will stretch out and the opposite leg and arm will bend. This reflex should disappear at about 4 months.                                                                                                           

TIP: This reflex will help your baby develop eye hand coordination. Pay attention to your baby’s head and hand position when you offer him a toy, introduce the items at arms length for him.

It is a good sign when these reflexive movements disappear.  The disappearance of these reflexes are necessary in order for a baby to begin to efficiently using his body to move and learn in his environment.

Swaddle Your Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

The womb is a very snug, warm, and cozy environment. Swaddling your baby helps him feel the security of being in the relaxed, safe, and comfortable place of the womb.

Newborns are born with reflexs. These are uncontrolled body movements.  One reflex known as the startle reflex will cause your baby’s arms and legs to move when surprised, such as in response to a loud noise. This response can wake and upset a sleeping or calm infant.  Being swaddled will help your baby’s body stay calm when exposed to sudden movement or unexpected noise that would typically set off the startle reflex.

You can easily learn to swaddle your baby by asking your hospital nurse to show you or by following instructions you find on line such as at, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x892kx_swaddling-demonstration-1_people

There are product s on the market that will mimic a swaddling blanket, are easy to use, and babies will love.  Try the miracle blanket.  You can find it on line or at:    http://www.smartbabyinc.com/ecommerce/

Anyone besides me used the miracle blanket? Write in and let us know about your experience.

On Nov 1st Smartbaby Inc. will be anouncing the winner of the first monthly toy drawing. Each person will  gain an entry for liking us on facebook:

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following @fraidaflaishman on twitter,

or commenting on the smartbabyinc.com blog http://www.smartbabyinc.com/bl. og.rhtml

Thanks for your support guys!!!

The Toy Must Have For ALL Newborns!!!!!!!!!!!

We get so busy preparing the nursery with the right color scheme, theme, furniture, and accents that we often overlook what I consider the most important staple in a nursery.   Every baby must have……. a mobile.  Your baby’s mobile is his first opportunity to use his vision and figure out the shapes and objects in his world.  He will be developing his eye skill and building his attention through the use of a mobile.  Mobiles should be of strong contrasting colors, so that they will be easy for newborns to see. Stay away from the pastels; sorry if that is your nursery theme, the colors are just not strong enough for your newborns developing vision.  A mobile should come with gentle and soothing music.  You can swing the mobile out of the crib when your baby is tired or overstimulated.  You can use the music to sooth your baby with or without the movement of the mobile. When your newborn is a little bit older, 3-4 months or more he will begin to really follow the movement of the mobile and this should keep him busy so that you can have a few minutes of constructive mommy time.  (What is constructive mommy time? We will get to that at a later date)

In appreciation for all the people following smartbabyinc.com we will be giving away an item from our product page on Nov. 1^st.  You will be entered to win by commenting on this blog,

Following us on twitter,                                                   

 Or liking us on Facebook.

 Yes you will be entered 3 times if you do all three.

 Good Luck.

#1 baby positioning tip!!!!!!

Mother's often ask me what is the most important thing they should make sure to do with their baby to encourage their motor development.  You would think that I would hesitate to answer this question after all there are so many important things to do for your baby's motor development, how could I choose just one. Believe it or not this question leaves me no hesitation at all!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOMMY the most important thing you can do for your baby's motor development is to make sure that he/she is getting PLENTY of tummy time.  Tummy time is not just a suggestion it is of significant importance.  Your baby doesn't like tummy time?????? With enough help and encouragement from you she/he will get used to it. Your babies strength and movement skill will be enhanced by this tummy down position.  This is a crucial step in your child's motor development he/she cannot afford to miss.  Get down on the floor with your baby, use a c shaped pillow, bright toys, or mirror, or whatever else it takes to get your baby used to and happy playing in this position.  Put baby on a tummy time schedule multiple times a day for short periods if necessary until he/she gets used to tummy time.  It's never to early to start tummy time but it can be to late soooooo start today.