Infant Reflexes + Newborn States

Question 1

Infant Reflexes (4)

Answer 1

1. Rooting
2. Moro
3. Grasping
4. Stepping

Question 2

Rooting reflex

Answer 2

• turning head when cheek / mouth touched

- helps with feeding

Question 3

Moro reflex

Answer 3

• arching back, throwing out arms and legs

- startle response

Question 4

Grasping reflex

Answer 4

• aka palmer reflex
• firm grasping triggered by placing finger in baby’s palm
• stepping stone for motor development

Question 5

Stepping reflex

Answer 5

• making stepping movements when held over a surface

- stepping stone for motor development

Question 6

main newborn states (3)

Answer 6

1. sleeping (16-18 hrs/day!)
2. drowsiness
3. crying

Question 7

sleeping states (2)

Answer 7

1. nREM

2. REM

Question 8

nREM

Answer 8

• baby nearly motionless

- increases in time as baby gets older

Question 9

REM

Answer 9

• characterized by uneven breathing
• makes up half of daily sleep for infants
• infants start in REM (unlike adults)

Question 10

crying (in depth)

Answer 10

• peaks at 6 weeks –> 3-4 hrs per day!

- can cause negative emotions in parents

Question 11

5 S’s

Answer 11

1. Swaddling
2. Side/stomach position in parent’s arms
3. Swinging
4. Shushing sounds
5. Sucking

Question 12

function of 5 S’s

Answer 12

ways to appropriately soothe crying babies

• touch releases endorphins (decrease pain, increase calm)
• soothing sounds create calming white noise
• swinging similar to motion in womb
• swaddling limits overstimulation