Retained Primitive Reflexes

How They Affect Early Development and Learning

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

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.

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 close automatically. There is no conscious control of the movement.

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.

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?

When primitive reflexes remain active longer than expected, they are called retained primitive reflexes. The brain may still respond automatically to certain types of stimulation.

In these cases, the child can be caught between automatic reflex responses and the brain’s attempt to learn voluntary movement.

This can make certain tasks more difficult, particularly those that require coordination, posture, or fine motor control.

Example: Retained Palmar Grasp Reflex

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

Understanding the Link Between Early Development and Later Challenges

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

  • mood changes

  • 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

  • doesn’t know where 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

Why Early Development Matters

Because primitive reflexes play an important role in early neurological development, many professionals are interested in how early sensory and movement experiences may support healthy maturation of the nervous system.

The Best Beginnings program was designed to help parents provide these experiences during Baby’s first year of life.

What’s Inside the Program

Parent massaging baby’s leg, demonstrating infant massage techniques from the Best Beginnings Program

A complete infant massage program

Learn infant massage with 40+ videos and printable stroke guides, plus expert tips on how to choose oils, how much pressure to use, creating the right environment, and more.

Father holding and smiling with his baby, showing rhythmic interaction and bonding through movement

Movement and Play guides

Discover how movement supports your baby’s brain development and specific play activities that support primitive reflex development.

Includes a printable movement play guide and guidance for fun activities parents can do at home with Baby.

Baby grasping a caregiver’s finger, demonstrating the palmar grasp reflex and early reflex development

Understanding Primitive Reflexes

Learn what primitive reflexes are, how they integrate, and ways to support your baby’s development. Explore the 9 most common primitive reflexes, their importance, and the behaviours that may appear if they don’t integrate.

Father holding and smiling with his baby, showing rhythmic interaction and bonding through movement

How Rhythm and Sound calm the brain

Learn about rhythmic touch and movements, and the importance of sound in Baby’s day. Includes many fun ways to stimulate Baby’s hearing and to help them learn.

Toddler exploring nature by blowing on a dandelion, representing sensory play and curiosity

How to increase Sensory Play in your child’s life

It is important to stimulate all of Baby’s senses and this section provides many tips on easy things you can include in Baby’s day. Includes how Baby can become overstimulated and what to avoid doing in the home.

Toddler looking into a drawer filled with sensory toys, demonstrating how to create a sensory-rich home environment

How to Create a Sensory-Rich Home Environment

Discover how to organize your home to support your baby’s growth, with tips on setting up play areas, adding sensory and messy play, and encouraging the benefits of free play.

Meet your instructor

Dr. Melanie Beingessner

Dr. Melanie Beingessner is a pregnancy and pediatric focused chiropractor with more than 25 years of clinical experience caring for pregnant women, infants, and children.

She is the founder of Blessingways Family Wellness, a multidisciplinary chiropractic clinic focused on family health.

Dr. Melanie is a certified infant massage instructor and breastfeeding counselor.

She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband Bruce, their three children, and two cats.

Pregnancy & Pediatric Chiropractor
Certified Infant Massage Instructor
Breastfeeding Counselor
Owner of Blessingways Family Wellness