Newborn Reflexes

Newborn Reflexes

Newborns depend on their primitive reflexes for survival. Absence or extended duration of these reflexes could indicate a problem with the baby's central nervous system. Just after birth, the newborn will be assessed for the following reflexes:

Rooting Reflex - when a finger or nipple is placed into the baby's mouth, the baby begins to suck. Also, if you lightly stroke the cheek, the newborn will turn towards the stroking and open her mouth to accept the nipple. This reflex usually lasts for up to seven months.

Palmar and Plantar Grasp Reflexes - the baby will grasp an object placed in his hands or curl his toes around fingers placed near his toes. The palmar reflex usually lasts three to four months and the plantar can last up to a year.

Moro's Reflex - this startle reflex appears with a sudden loud noise or any intense stimulation. The arms and legs extend and the fingers fan outward, with the thumb and forefinger forming a C-shape. This reflex usually disappears within three to four months.


Doll's Eye Reflex - as with a doll's eyes, when a baby is lying on her back, if you turn her head from side to side, her eyes remain fixed. This reflex lasts up to two months of age.

Babinski's Reflex - the baby's toes will hyper extend when the bottom of his foot is stroked upward from the sole to the ball of his foot. This reflex disappears within a year.

Stepping Reflex - when the newborn is held upright with the feet on a flat surface, the baby will make stepping motions. This reflex diminishes by the forth month and does not return until the baby begins to stand and walk.

Bauer's Reflex - when pressure is applied to the soles of the feet of a newborn lying face-down, the baby will making crawling movements. This disappears by six weeks of age and returns when the baby is learning to crawl.

Tonic Neck Reflex - the baby appears like a "fencer" when lying flat on her back and facing to the side. Whichever direction her face is turned, that arm will extend and the other will be flexed. Babies may sleep in this position for a couple of years; however, an awake baby should not display this reflex beyond four months of age.

Traction Reflex - when a newborn is pulled up by the wrists to a sitting position, her head will first fall back, then lift upright and held before it falls forward onto the chest. This is a sign of maturity and muscle tone.

Arm Recoil - the baby's arms will flex rapidly after extending them.

Skin to Skin Contact: The Right Start

Being skin to skin with your baby after birth has many benefits on your health and baby's health including:

• Baby is warmer. Your skin is a radiant warmer and will help regulate your baby's body temperature. Simply lay baby on your skin, abdomen or chest, dry the baby off while there and put warm blankets over you and baby.

• Baby breathes more normally. Babies who are skin to skin with mom after birth breathe more easily and more rhythmically.

• Baby cries less. The comfort of being with mom leads to babies who cry less after the initial cries at birth.

• More breast milk. When babies are skin to skin after birth, they are more likely to nurse and nurse sooner and longer. This can lead to a better breast milk supply.

• Baby can her your heart beat. After nine long months of hearing your heart beat, your baby feels comforted by hearing the heart beat he or she has grown with.

• Baby is more likely to have a normal heart rate. All of these add up to a baby who is more stable.

Skin to skin with baby is good for all types of births, assuming your baby is stable.   Often even after a cesarean birth mom can hold baby skin to skin ; or dad can perform this important role if mom is not available.  There are a multitude of studies that show that mothers and babies should be together, skin to skin (baby naked, not wrapped in a blanket), immediately after birth, as well as throughout the fourth trimester. 

We know that this is true not only for the baby born at term and in good health, but even for the premature baby. Skin to skin contact and Kangaroo Mother Care can contribute much to the care of the premature baby. Even babies on oxygen can be cared for skin to skin, and this helps reduce their needs for oxygen, and keeps them more stable in other ways as well.

From the point of view of breastfeeding, babies who are kept skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth for at least an hour, are more likely to latch on without help and are more likely to latch on well, especially if the mother did not receive medication during the labor or birth. 

There is no reason that the vast majority of babies cannot be skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth for at least an hour. Hospital routines, such as weighing the baby, should not take precedence.

The baby should be dried off and placed on the mother. Nobody should be pushing the baby to do anything; nobody should be trying to help the baby latch on during this time. The mother and baby should be left to enjoy each other’s company. (The mother and baby should not be left alone, however, especially if the mother has received medication, and it is important that not only the mother’s partner, but also a nurse, midwife, doula or physician stay with them—occasionally, some babies do need medical help and someone qualified should be there “just in case”). If the optional eyedrops and the injection of vitamin K are being administered, they can wait a couple of hours.

Studies have shown that even premature babies, as small as 1200 g (2 lb 10 oz) are more stable metabolically (including the level of their blood sugars) and breathe better if they are skin to skin immediately after birth. The need for an intravenous infusion, oxygen therapy or a nasogastric tube, for example, or all the preceding, does not preclude skin to skin contact. Skin to skin contact is quite compatible with other measures taken to keep the baby healthy. Of course, if the baby is quite sick, the baby’s health must not be compromised, but any premature baby who is not suffering from respiratory distress syndrome can be skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth. Indeed, in the premature baby, as in the full term baby, skin to skin contact may decrease rapid breathing into the normal range.

Planned Birth Support by Harmony at Home

Caring for your newborn after a cesarean presents many different challenges. Feel secure, prepared and nurtured with the support of Harmony at Home. Whether a planned or unplanned C-Section, we will determine your individual needs and goals for successful healing. We'll provide the comprehensive support you and your baby need to safely make the transition from pregnancy to family.



​Harmony at Home offers hourly and overnight C-Section Support. Services may include:​
​

• PreNatal Visit and Planning Session
• Immediate Postpartum Support, Hospital to Home
• Overnight Care
• Incision Care
• Breastfeeding and BabyWearing for the C-Section mom
• Basic Newborn Care
• Meal Preparation, Grocery and Menu Planning
• Light House Cleaning and Errands
• Infant Massage Instruction
• Pet Care
• Dad Support
• Care to 6 weeks Postpartum

Here's how our program works~

*Free consult, if you would like we will meet with you for coffee (or tea!) so we can get to know each other in person.

*One Home Visit at 38 weeks to "fluff your nest!" We plan and prepare for you to have a smooth transition home, with everything you need all in place. 

*Post Natal support the day of the planned birth. We will be there to facilitate the natural bonding process from lots of skin-to-skin to back-to-basics breast feeding support so you are set up to succeed from the very beginning.

*24 hour Hospital visit for continued breastfeeding support and troubleshooting.

*First Postpartum visit the day you travel home. With your pillows just right, and fresh food and water on your night stand, it's straight to bed with your sweet new baby. We will leave you feeling confident in your ability to rest, recover and nourish your newborn now that you're home.

*Photography & Birth Announcements, Belly Casting and Infant Massage Instruction are all available upon request.

*Daily to overnight Newborn Nurse & Doula services are tailored to meet the needs of the family and change over the course of the Postpartum period. Our goal is to gracefully step aside as your new family settle in.


References available upon request.
Newborn Nurse, PP Doula Insured.
Contact us now! Space is limited.

A Baby Moon Survival Guide – How to Make the Most of Your Postpartum Period

Making the transition from pregnancy to family is a time of immense joy, but it also comes with change and uncertainty. From the time the positive line shows up on the test, many women spend their energy preparing for the birth process – which is great. But the delicate nature of the postpartum time is often overlooked. This can lead to many families feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. Taking the time to plan for a peaceful Baby Moon allows mama and baby the space and time to bond and heal. This creates the most positive and healthy start for budding families.

• Plan to stay in bed for 7–10 days after the birth; the longer you rest now, the sooner you will

recover. The rest of the world can wait! Overdoing it after birth can lead to increased postpartum depression and anxiety, infection, breastfeeding problems and more. The very best way we can care for of our newborns is to ensure we are caring for ourselves. As tempting as it maybe to jump right in and conquer the world, allowing yourself the space to heal is imperative.


• Be sure to get good nutrition, plenty of fluids and adequate rest (sleep when the baby sleeps).

• Arrange for lots of help: hire a postpartum doula or baby nurse, ask your mother, father, mother-in-law, sister, brother, or friends to pitch in. Allow yourself to be cared for while you and your partner attend to the baby.

• Identify and ask for the things you need. Most of the people surrounding you are eager and willing to help out, but they can't read your mind. Be open and honest. Accept the kindness of others. Now is not a time to be humble but rather gracious. (Remember, you can always pay it forward later.)

• Accept and express both positive and negative feelings. Emotions are the threads that make up the fabric of human existence. We all have a range of feelings, and our negative thoughts do not make us bad people. Expressing these feelings is important; its much easier to process them and release them when we are not afraid of them.

• Talk with your partner about the changes you are both going through. This is a journey you are traveling together.

• Ease into new routines—let the baby lead the way. Trying to force a newborn into an adult schedule from birth can be frustrating at best, and dangerous at worst. Allow your family ample time to grow and adjust to your new life together. There is no rush. You are all learning together. That takes time and patience.

• Keep expectations realistic: newborns “only” sleep, eat, and poop, but they do it every

hour; it takes more time and energy than most people realize.

• Take time for yourself: a warm bath, a nature walk, a good book, meditation, listening

to music, talking with a friend—whatever you find rejuvenating. The more you nurture yourself, the more of yourself you'll have available to care for your newborn.

• Give yourself credit; mothering is a difficult job, and it takes time to find your rhythm. Mindfully acknowledge the progress you make, the milestones you conquer, the little victories of everyday life. Ignore mommy war propaganda, follow your instinct and listen to your heart. No one knows your family and your baby better than you. Trust yourself.

• Hook up with both new and experienced parents for support, guidance, and feedback. Parenting groups, Baby and Me exercise classes and La Leche League are all good places to find other new moms with similar interests.

• Where possible, postpone other major life changes, like moving or changing jobs.

Why hire a Postpartum Doula?

“Postpartum Doulas are the best thing since … sliced bread, ice cream, velcro, you name it. They are the angels who sweep into your home when you’re bleary-eyed, sleep deprived and need someone to talk to when you’re home from the hospital trying to figure it all out.”

A Birth Doula is an important member of the support team during labor and birth, but do you know the value and benefits offered by Postpartum Doula services? Moms who use Postpartum Doulas insist they are more than worth the money.

A Postpartum Doula will provide non-medical support for educational, emotional and practical needs following childbirth or adoption, in your home. This professional (typically a woman) is a non-judgmental support person, and services can include the following as needed: care for mother’s postpartum body; assistance with breastfeeding; newborn care (diapering, bathing, etc); infant massage techniques; assistance with siblings; support for mother’s normal adjustment to the parenting process; running errands, meal planning, cooking and dishwashing; doing laundry, emptying trash and other light housework. The Postpartum Doula assists with transitions that accompany a newborn being welcomed into a family, and she works beside the family to foster confidence and knowledge during that special time. Each family must make informed decisions based on what works best for them, and the Postpartum Doula is there to support those family decisions in the process.

Here are some of the many important ways a Postpartum Doula can help:

1.  A Variety of Services

The role of a Postpartum Doula is multi-dimensional. She comes to your home and works where she is needed, according to your needs and the needs of your new family. Not only can she provide direct support for the new mom and family on topics such as breastfeeding, newborn care and babywearing, she can also tend to light housework, meal planning and other daily chores while the new parents get precious bonding time with their baby. She’s flexible and compassionate; she knows when to jump in and when to back away.

2. Mothering the New Mom

After a baby is born, the focus of everyone around often shifts to the baby, which can leave the new mom feeling lonely or unsupported. A Postpartum Doula can help "mother the new mom" by ensuring she is well fed and hydrated, and can be on hand to help fetch needed supplies or run interference if the new mom needs to rest.  She provides emotional support, a tender touch and a listening ear as a women navigates this completely new experience.  She can provide guidance when mom has questions or concerns about her ever changing body, offering insights about what is normal and to be expected.

"I honor birth stories, I shoulder anger, I dissolve guilt and fear. I do not judge and I do not try to do things my way. I teach, but I don’t give advice unless asked. I am a humble servant, I am a secret keeper, I am a baby burper. I am a mother to the mother."  Jen Rognerud

3.  Breastfeeding Support

If you don’t have a lactation consultant, having a Postpartum Doula in the early days can be extremely valuable. A Postpartum Doula knows basic information on breastfeeding, to guide mothers through the challenges. She also has referrals to other professionals who can help with problem solving beyond her practical knowledge.  It is important to get breastfeeding off to a good start just after the baby is born. It is important to address questions as early as possible, and the Postpartum Doula is there to support the family during this process. She can help with feeding charts if the pediatrician needs to see progress, as well as give instructions for nipple shields, positioning, latching and breast pumps.  She can also give nutritional suggestions to increase milk supply. She can help mother rest and have adequate time with her baby to not feel rushed.

4.  Emotional Support
Postpartum Doulas can serve as a sounding board for the new mother and can really help her work through her thoughts and feelings during the early weeks with a new little one. Statistics show that Postpartum Doulas help reduce the risk of postpartum depression.  When a mother feels supported, understood and cared for, it provides her the best opportunity to thrive in her new role.

5.  Overnight Care
Sleep.  Sweet, precious, glorious sleep. Unfortunately you can’t bank sleep and use it for when you really need it (wouldn’t that be nice!?) But the good news - you can have a Postpartum Doula step in when you really need it, and for a lot of people that is at night.  When parents are completely run down and overtired, the whole world seems more overwhelming.  A Postpartum Doula can provide night time care for baby to allow parents a full nights rest.


5.  Doulas and Extended Family Members

Do you need a Doula if you have lots of family nearby?  The answer probably depends on your family and the level of support and care they offer you.  Not everyone has a mother they can trust to come over, pitch in and help out—without the added commentary on how she’d do it differently if she were you. One of the things new parents most appreciate about Doulas is the complete lack of pretense; the Doula is there to help you and support you, not to change your views or parenting style and impose her own system of ethics. Because your Doula doesn’t have an emotional investment in the way you desire to parent your newborn, she is a help to the process, rather than a hurdle.

However, Doulas are not just for women with especially vocal mothers and mothers-in-law! Perhaps you would rather let mom do the fun grandma things like helping to entertain your visitors and taking care of older siblings, and then allow your Doula to handle the mundane chores and basic operations of a household. Doulas don’t usurp the role of family members in supporting a mother at this special time, rather they are advocates, making sure mom’s needs get handled in the midst of the new baby chaos. Said one doula, “The best thing I can do is to be quietly present. To take care of “things”, while mom is learning her new role.”

6.  Babywearing Support

Today's baby carrier market has skyrocketed since days of old and the choices can be stagger.  Your Postpartum Doula can help you navigate these choices, choose the carrier that is right for your family, discuss the important benefits of babywearing and train you in the different techniques used with today's popular carriers.



Both a birth doula and a postpartum doula are worth their weight in gold, and the support they provide is unlike any you’ll find anywhere else. If you’ve chosen to hire one, know that it’s money well spent so you can recover from birth and get to know your baby in peace and solitude.

Harmony at Home offers Postpartum Doula services in the greater Philadelphia area.  

Visit www.harmonyathome.net  for more information.