Babies Growth & Development Print Testing Your Newborn's Reflexes Written by Written by Stephanie Brown Stephanie Brown is a parenting writer with experience in the Head Start program and in NAEYC accredited child care centers. Learn about our editorial policy Stephanie Brown Updated on September 25, 2019 More in Babies Growth & Development Baby's First Year Health & Safety Everyday Care Formula Baby Food Breastfeeding Preemies Postpartum Care Gear and Products View All Newborn reflexes in the first moments and even months of life form the building blocks of future development. Movement that starts out as a reflex soon turns into purposeful, cognitive and physical activity. Your health care provider will test your newborn for these reflexes soon after birth and again at your first check-ups. You can test these reflexes yourself as well. 1 Sucking Reflex Baby's sucking reflex. JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images If you touch the roof of your baby’s mouth with your finger, a pacifier or a nipple, he will instinctively begin sucking. Around 2 to 3 months of age, your baby’s sucking will be a result of conscious effort and no longer a reflex. 2 Rooting Reflex Emma Kim / Getty Images If you stroke your newborn’s cheek, he will open his mouth and turn his head toward the side that was stroked a seek out your nipple or other sources of food. After about 4 months this reflex disappears but it can last up to a year (especially when your baby is sleeping). How to Know When Your Baby Is Hungry 3 Grasp Reflex Pete Ark / Getty Images If you place your finger or other slim objects in your baby’s palm, his fingers will grasp the object tightly. This reflex is also present in the feet causing the toes to curl. It can be tested by lightly touching your baby’s feet or toes. This reflex only lasts until your child is about 6 months old. 4 Stepping Reflex Marc Romanelli / Getty Images If you carefully support your baby underneath his arms, lean him slightly forward and lower his feet onto a hard, flat surface, he will make a walking motion. This reflex lasts about 2 months. 5 Startle Reflex Fancy/Veer/Corbis / Getty Images If your baby gets a sense of falling or hears a loud noise like a dog barking or door shutting, he will extend his arms and legs, open his fingers and arch his back. Then he will clench his fists and pull his arms to his chest. Your baby may also cry. This reflex (also called the Moro reflex) should disappear at around 2months of age. 6 Fencing Reflex Sally Anscombe / Getty Images If you place your baby on his back, he will look like a little fencer. His head will turn with the arm and leg of one side extended (the pair on the side he’s turned toward) and his other arm and leg will move. This reflex can be present up to about 6 months of age or about the time your baby begins rolling over (back-to-stomach) competently and regularly. How Tummy Time Helps Babies Learn to Roll Over 7 Plantar Reflex Miho Aikawa / Getty Images A stroke to the foot causes your newborn's toes to extend upward and his foot to turn inward. Present from birth up to the second birthday, though it will likely disappear much sooner. Developmental Milestones in Childhood Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Newborn Reflexes. Updated August 1, 2009.