How the Integration of Primitive Reflexes is Critical for Physical, Emotional and Social Development

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that develop in utero and guide an infant’s early movements in the first few months of life. These reflexes occur in response to movement or stimulation and are not actively controlled by the baby. They assist with movement in the womb, aid the birthing process, and support early motor development.

As these reflexes naturally integrate, more mature movements and postural reflexes take over. Movement from an early age plays a critical role in reflex integration, allowing the nervous system to progress to higher developmental stages.

Retained reflexes are primitive movement patterns that should naturally disappear within the first year of life. When these reflexes don’t fully integrate, they remain “retained” and can interfere with a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Retained reflexes can lead to developmental challenges, impacting motor skills, social-emotional growth, attention, and learning abilities. Identifying and addressing retained reflexes early can promote more balanced growth, helping children achieve developmental milestones and improving self-regulation.

Symptoms of Retained Primitive Reflexes

• Delayed motor skills, including crawling, walking, speech, and fine motor skills
• Difficulty with feeding skills, such as transitioning from a bottle to a cup or solid foods
• Poor balance, clumsiness, uncoordinated movements, and frequent accidents
• Impulsiveness and decreased safety awareness
• Social-emotional challenges, like reduced eye contact, attention, and social interactions
• Trouble sitting still and focusing
• Difficulty sleeping
• Learning delays that impact school performance
• Anxiety and difficulty with emotional regulation
• Weaker immune function
• Difficulty self-soothing and frequent irritability leading to behavior issues

Causes of Retained Primitive Reflexes

• Limited movement opportunities, such as reduced tummy time or frequent use of car seats, bouncers, or swings
• High stress during pregnancy or in early development
• Birth trauma or frequent falls
• Chronic ear infections
• Skipping crawling stage

If you suspect your child may have retained primitive reflexes, consult their pediatrician for an evaluation.