A. Infant Reflexes include
rooting
moro reflex
grasping reflex (also known as Palmer grasp)
stepping reflex
A. Infant Reflexes
Despite being entirely dependent on caregivers, infants come equipped with
reflexes
reflexes either protect them or enable them to get an early start on motor skills
Each reflex eventually goes away when no longer needed
A lingering reflex may indicate brain damage
rooting
involves the baby turning her head when her cheek or mouth is touched
It presumably aids feeding as the infant finds something to suck
moro reflex
,startle response
infant arches back and throws out arms and legs
infant behaves much as we would if we felt we were falling and tried to grab
something to protect ourselves
researchers believe that this reflex has survival value.
grasping reflex (also known as Palmer grasp)
can be extremely strong
appears to be a stepping stone to additional motor development, as when an
infant becomes able to grasp things voluntarily.
stepping reflex
involves the infant making stepping motions when held above a surface
Again, it may serve as a building block for future motor development.
Babinski reflex
Reflex in which a newborn fans out the toes when the sole of the foot is touched
tonic neck
In response to head being turned baby stretches its arm on same side and opposite
arm bends up at the eblow
may prepare infant for voluntary reaching
, swimming reflex
when held horizontally on their stomachs, newborns stretch out their arms and legs
B. Sleep and Newborn States
nREM sleep
REM sleep
drowsiness
crying
When sleeping, infants may be in either
nREM sleep or REM sleep
NREM (non-REM) sleep
(non-rapid-eye movement; also known as regular sleep)
-when the baby is nearly motionless.
-increases as the infant gets older
REM sleep
-vivid dreams commonly occur
-paradoxical sleep, muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body
systems are active
(also known as irregular sleep)