Baby Care

It may take you a while to get used to your baby’s behaviour. It is worth studying his reactions to various stimuli and becoming familiar with some of the traits that will mark his personality as he grows. Young babies have far more individuality than they are usually credited with, and this is a useful fact to bear in mind as you get to know your child.

REFLEXES

One thing common to all healthy babies is a number of reflexes that can be stimulated from the very first moments after birth. These reflexes are involuntary movements that eventually , at about three months, start to be replaced by voluntary movements.

Grasp reflex

If you put something in the palm of your baby’s hand, he will clench it surprisingly tightly. The grasp of a baby is often tight enough to support his entire body weight (although you should never try this).

The rooting reflex

This is the most basic instinct: the on that helps your newborn baby find your breast and suck it. If you gently stroke your baby’s cheek he will turn his head in the direction of your finger and open his mouth. If you touch her centre of his upper lip, you will also see that his mouth opens. You might notice that your newborn baby responds in a positive way to your presence by momentarily contracting his whole face and body. As he learns to control his movements, you will see that his reactions become more directed and less random. For instance, at six weeks, instead of scrunching up his whole face, he may show you a distinct smile.

TESTING REFLEXES

Until your baby’s physical and mental capabilities develop, it will be his instinctive reflexes that provide an indication of his maturity. Doctors can test these reflexes to check your baby’s general health and see that his central nervous system is functioning well. Premature babies will not react in the same way as full – term babies. Although there are more than 70 primitive reflexes that have been identified in newborn babies, your doctor is likely to test only a selected few. The two most commonly recognized reflexes that you can easily test yourself are the rooting and the grasp reflex. Don’t try to test the More reflex at home, as this could distress your baby and make him cry.

Walking reflex

If you hold your baby under the shoulders so that he is in an upright position and his feet are allowed to touch a firm surface, he’ll move his legs in a walking action. This reflex disappears in three to six weeks, and is not what helps your child learn to walk.

Placing reflex

This is quite similar to the walking reflex. If you hold your baby in an upright position and bring the front of his leg into contact with the edge of a table, he will lift his foot as if to step on to the table. The same reflex is present in the arm; if the back of your baby’s fore arm touches the table edge, he will raise his arm.

“Crawling”

When you place your baby on his stomach, he will automatically assume what appears to be a crawling position, with his pelvis high and his knees pulled up under his abdomen.When he kicks his legs he may be able to shuffle in a vague crawling manner. It is not real crawling, however, and this behavior will disappear as soon as his legs uncurl and he lies flat.