Primitive reflexes in babies #babies #pediatrics #doctor | Zachary Rubin, MD

Primitive reflexes live in the brainstem. As the brain matures, the cerebellum and frontal lobes team up to regulate that brainstem and switch those reflexes off, making room for complex, coordinated movement 🧠⚙️ When the cerebellum or frontal cortex are underdeveloped, the brain can’t inhibit those patterns, so the reflexes linger and get in the way of smooth motor control, attention, and learning. Think rooting and palmar grasp. As babies, these automatic patterns help us survive and build ea

The ATNR should integrate around 6 months, but sometimes it doesn’t! Movement-based primitive reflex activities can help kickstart the reflex into integration to help it lie dormant in the brain stem. These two exercises are functional, play activities that are beneficial for the ATNR! 1. Tall kneel mummy walks- walking on the knees with the hands out in front on the body, turning the head side to side. Bonus points for reading visuals simultaneously. (Visuals included in my Crawling for Brain D