Understanding Primitive Reflexes

How Primitive Reflexes Shape Future Learning

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Parent holding Baby’s foot to demonstrate the plantar reflex, supporting early reflex development

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns controlled by the brainstem. They appear before birth and during early infancy, helping babies survive, move, and begin organizing their nervous systems.

Each reflex has a purpose. Reflexes support feeding, bonding, movement, and early sensory development.

As Baby’s brain matures, these reflexes gradually integrate. When this happens, voluntary movement, coordination, and higher-level brain functions can develop.

The Progression of Primitive Reflex Integration

Primitive reflexes follow a natural developmental progression as Baby’s brain matures.

Baby grasping a finger demonstrating the palmar grasp reflex and supporting early development

First Step - Primitive Reflexes create automatic responses to stimulation

For example, the Palmar Grasp Reflex occurs when Baby’s palm is touched. Baby's fingers automatically close around whatever is touching their hand.

Baby learning to hold a colored pencil, showing early fine motor development and hand coordination

Second Step - The brain begins learning voluntary movement

As Baby grows, the brain gradually learns how to control the body. Babies begin lifting their heads, stretching, reaching, and grasping intentionally.

Young child coloring, showing fine motor development, hand coordination, and early learning skills

Third Step - Voluntary movement integrates the reflex

As the nervous system matures, voluntary control takes over and the primitive reflexes naturally fade away, or integrate.

What Happens if Primitive Reflexes Don’t Integrate?

Child using an early pencil grip, showing developing fine motor skills that may relate to retained primitive reflex patterns

When primitive reflexes remain active longer than expected, they are called retained primitive reflexes.

Because primitive reflexes are designed to help babies learn and develop, retained reflexes can sometimes make certain tasks more challenging. Depending on the reflex involved, a child may experience difficulties with coordination, posture, balance, attention, fine motor skills, or learning.

Professionals in many fields are interested in retained primitive reflexes because understanding these early movement patterns can sometimes provide clues about later developmental challenges.

Example: The Palmar Grasp Reflex

The Palmar Grasp Reflex helps Baby develop early hand function. As the reflex integrates, children gradually learn to use their hands with greater control and precision.

What Happens If the Palmar Grasp Reflex is Retained?

If the Palmar Grasp Reflex remains active, activities involving the hands may be more challenging.

When a child with a Retained Palmar Grasp Reflex holds something in their hand:

  • pressure on the palm can trigger an involuntary grasp response

  • the hand may squeeze automatically

  • writing, drawing, and using scissors may feel more difficult

  • alternative pencil grips may develop to compensate

Common Signs of Retained Primitive Reflexes

Professionals in many fields — including medical doctors, chiropractors, optometrists, occupational therapists, teachers, and early childhood development specialists — are increasingly noticing children with learning and behavioral challenges that may relate to missed developmental milestones or retained primitive reflex patterns.

When the brain’s sensory and motor systems do not mature as smoothly as expected, children may show patterns such as:

Baby responding to a sudden sound with arms opening wide, demonstrating the Startle Reflex, also known as the Moro Reflex, which helps develop Baby’s sense of safety and early brain organization

Startle Reflex

  • emotional ups and downs

  • acts impulsively

  • afraid to try new things

  • trouble making friends

  • is often anxious, worried or nervous

Baby lying on their tummy and lifting their head, illustrating the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) that helps develop posture, head control, and body balance

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex - TLR

  • poor core strength

  • trouble with balance

  • difficulties focusing

  • clumsy or uncoordinated

  • difficulties playing ball sports

Close-up of Baby’s foot as their toes curl in response to touch, demonstrating the Plantar Reflex that helps develop Baby’s balance, walking readiness, and sensory awareness

Plantar Reflex

  • grips the floor with toes when standing

  • loose ankles that sprain easily

  • difficulty knowing where their body is in space

  • falls often

  • sensitive feet - doesn’t like socks or shoes

Newborn turning their head toward a caregiver’s touch on the cheek, showing the Rooting Reflex that guides Baby to the breast or bottle for feeding and supports early bonding

Rooting Reflex

  • sensitivity around the mouth

  • picky eater

  • messy eater

  • ongoing thumb sucking

  • difficulties speaking

Baby lying on their back with head turned to one side and arm extended, showing the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), which supports eye-hand coordination and early movement patterns

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex - ATNR

  • did not crawl as a baby

  • robot-like gait

  • clumsy

  • holds a pencil too tight

  • mixes b’s and d’s when writing

Close-up of Baby’s hand grasping a caregiver’s finger, demonstrating the Palmar Grasp Reflex that builds hand strength and prepares for later fine motor skills

Palmar Grasp Reflex

  • messy handwriting

  • awkward pencil grip

  • right and left confusion

  • thumb sucking after 18 months

  • eats with hands instead of a fork or spoon

Baby on hands and knees lifting their head, showing the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) that prepares Baby for crawling and strengthens coordination between arms and legs

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex - STNR

  • skipped crawling, or crawled commando-style

  • struggles with ball sports

  • slouches or leans when sitting, holds head up

  • difficulties focusing or paying attention

  • difficulty copying from the board

Caregiver gently stroking Baby’s lower back, demonstrating the Spinal Galant Reflex that helps Baby develop trunk control and supports crawling movements

Spinal Galant Reflex

  • fidgety, unable to sit still

  • trouble with focus

  • difficulties with reading

  • bedwetting past the age of 5

  • ticklish, low back is very sensitive, will squirm when back touches a chair

How Parents Can Support Healthy Development

The good news is that parents can play an important role in supporting their Baby's development.

During the first year of life, experiences such as touch, movement, rhythm, sound, and sensory play help Baby learn about their body and the world around them. These experiences provide valuable input to the developing nervous system and help lay the foundation for future learning, coordination, and confidence.

The Best Beginnings Online Baby Massage and Movement Program was designed to help parents provide these experiences in a simple and enjoyable way at home.

Inside the program you'll learn:

  • Infant Massage and how nurturing touch supports connection and development

  • Movement and Play activities that encourage body awareness and coordination

  • Primitive Reflexes, their purpose, and how they naturally integrate

  • Rhythm and Sound activities that support learning and regulation

  • Sensory Play ideas that stimulate Baby's developing senses

  • How to Create a Sensory-Rich Home Environment that encourages exploration and growth

By understanding how babies learn through movement, touch, sound, and play, parents can feel more confident supporting their child's development from the very beginning.

Dr. Melanie Beingessner standing in front of a word wall, helping parents support Baby’s sleep and calm bedtime routines

About Best Beginnings

Created by Dr. Melanie Beingessner, pediatric chiropractor and certified infant massage instructor, the Best Beginnings Program combines professional expertise with practical tools parents can use at home.

Our goal is simple: to help parents and caregivers support Baby's developing brain and nervous system through touch, movement, rhythm, sensory experiences, and play.

References

  1. Piper, M. C., & Darrah, J. (1994). Motor Assessment of the Developing Infant. W.B. Saunders.

  2. Heidenreich, S. (2021). Understanding primitive reflexes: How they impact child development and intervention strategies for integration. Retrieved June 15, 2025 from https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/articles/understanding-primitive-reflexes-they-impact-5409

  3. Harkla. (2021). The ultimate guide to retained primitive reflexes. Retrieved June 15, 2025 from https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/what-are-primitive-reflexes

  4. Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training Canada. (n.d.). Reflexes. Retrieved June 15, 2025 from https://brmtcanada.com/blomberg-rhythmic-movement-training/reflexes/

  5. Davis, Jenna. Pediatric Development course. The Connection between brain, behaviour and body. https://www.babyboomcreations.ca