Reflexex in babys and their development

Babies are a wonderful thing. Every time I see a baby I think a miracle has happened as this beautiful little human is born and has been made in the womb by two simple cells. How amazing is that!

Now the baby is ready to learn many things from the womb to when they come into the world. Babies have their own natural way of communicating with the outside world. In the last 3 months of pregnancy, reflexes have helped the baby to turn, to kick, to move its arms and legs and even suck its thumb (yes I have seen it for myself that they start in the womb) (Blythe). A well developed suck reflex is going to be important for feeding as soon as the baby is born. Up to few weeks before the birth, the baby can open and close the eye lids, and respond to sound. I also think that can also feel the touch on the belly way before the last 3 months if anybody in the family and friends who love the baby touches it. The baby also at this stage has got the survival reflex mode which releases the hormone to start labour when e/she is ready to be born, and the baby works with the mother body to start a cooperative work to get out of the womb and be born. This process is pretty much when the delivery is natural.

When things turns difficult, or there is a forceps delivery or C section then the normal processes of being born are by-passed and some of this can have an impact on the later reflex development (Blythe). From my experience with giving the early Cranio-Sacral therapy, the reflexes can be back to a normal development. Even in later stages that can happen, however it might take much longer for the system to settle and balance up.

 

Reflexes are the main functions of the babies this is how they will respond to the stimulus around them. This is also a way for them to know the gravity after the womb and to learn their inner sense of their own body, where everything is and what happens. Each time the baby flexes, wiggles his toes, kicks his legs or reaches with his arm, motor cells begin a process of modification which become more definite and permanent with repetition. This will strengthen his coordination and control of movement with the brain and body. This will form a map in his brain and helps the baby with his early knowledge of movements (Blythe). I always suggest to let the baby crawl as that is an important stage for his eye and hand coordination. If you can always encourange that stage rather than the moving with their bum or early walking.

More about reflexes and development in my next cranio-nutri news.

 

Blythe S.G (2004) The Well Balanced Child. Hawthorn Press, Gloucesteshire

 

Upledger J.E (1996) A brain is born. North Atlantic Books, California.