Welcome Back! This will be our fifth and final blog post discussing infant primitive reflexes.
To review; last week we discussed the four “protective reflexes.” Today we are discussing the four “equilibrium reaction reflexes.”
Lets Begin!
These reflexes emerge after birth and persist throughout the lifetime.
- They are the first line of defense against falling
- Help maintain and regain balance
- Is the whole body’s response to instability and a change in balance
- Onset: 5 months and persists throughout the lifespan
- This reflex is elicited by placing the baby in prone (on their stomach) on a tilt board and raise 1 side of the surface.
Supine Tilting
- Onset: 7-8 months and persists throughout the lifespan
- This reflex is elicited by positioning the baby in supine (on their back) or seated on a tilt board and raise 1 side of the surface.
Quadruped Tilting
- Onset: 9-12 months and persists throughout the lifespan
- This reflex is elicited by positioning the baby on all fours on a tilt board and raise 1 side of the surface.
Standing Tilting
- Onset:12-21 months and persists throughout the lifespan
- This reflex is elicited by positioning the baby in standing on the tilt board and raise 1 side
In all of these reflexes the response would be
- The spine will curve on the raise side of the board
- Both arms and legs will extend (straighten) and abduct
The importance of these reflexes
- Maintains equilibrium without arm support
- Promotes the ability to make postural adjustments when a change of gravity occurs
