Early childhood development includes the development of reflexes, speech, vision and hearing, as well as the socialization and motor skills of the baby. Among the important developmental steps in the first years of life, which are almost imperceptible to parents and babies, is the development of a defence against harmful influences such as pathogens. To this end, the baby gradually builds up an immune system that can be supported by vaccinations.
This topic is becoming increasingly controversial. According to current scientific findings, breastfeeding can also have a positive influence on the development of the child. The following text is intended to provide an overview of the different stages of early childhood development.
However, it should always be kept in mind that each child develops individually and learns or is able to implement certain things at different speeds. According to current scientific knowledge, breastfeeding can also have a positive influence on the child’s development. The following text should give an overview of the different stages of early childhood development. However, it should always be noted that each child develops individually and learns or is able to implement certain things at different speeds.
Reflexes of the newborn
The neonatal reflexes, which exist from birth and disappear after a certain number of months of life, are tested in the preventive examinations of newborns, the U2 examination between the 3rd and 10th day of life and the U3 between the 4th and 5th week of life. The reflexes of the newborn are congenital and are also called primitive reflexes. They help the baby to protect itself and lose themselves as soon as the baby learns to react to the appropriate stimuli.
A lack of these reflexes, an asymmetrical appearance or a long persistence beyond certain months of life can be an indication of a neurological disorder of the baby. The examination by pediatricians is therefore very important.
- One of the reflexes of the newborn is the Moro reflex (clasping reflex).
When the baby is unexpectedly brought into the supine position, as if falling backwards, it spreads its arms, spreads its fingers and opens its mouth. He then quickly brings his arms together again and clenches his hands into fists. This reflex disappears until the 4th month of life.
- A reflex that parents often observe is the sucking reflex.
When the lips are touched, the baby starts to suck as if it were placed against the breast or bottle. This reflex lasts until the first six months at most.
- There is also the crying reflex. The baby is held under the armpits and held with the feet over a surface.
If the feet touch the floor, the newborn automatically moves its legs as if it wanted to walk. This reflex exists for the first three months.
- Further reflexes are the palmar and the plantar grasping reflex. When touching the inner surfaces of the hand or foot, a grasping movement of the fingers or a flexion of the toes occurs.
The former exists until the 4th month of life and the latter even until the 15th month of life.
- In the Babinski reflex, which physiologically may exist until the age of 12 months, the outer edge of the sole of the foot is coated, which causes the big toe to be pulled backwards and the small toe to be spread to the side. In adults with damage to a specific nerve conduction pathway in the spinal cord, the pyramidal pathway, the Babinski reflex is present as a sign of disease.
- In the Galant reflex, the skin next to the spine is traced downwards with the hand, while the baby is held upwards with the other hand lying on the stomach or simply lying on the stomach. In the process, the spine is bent in the direction of the stimulus until the baby is 6 months old.
- When the baby lies on his back and the head is passively turned to one side, the arm and leg of the same side are stretched while the other side is bent.
This is called the asymmetrical-tonic neck reflex, which also exists until the baby is 6 months old. The baby looks as if it is going to take a fencing position. If the head is bent, however, both arms are bent and both legs are stretched, or the movements are reversed when the head is stretched.
The reflex is therefore called symmetric-tonic neck reflex and lasts until the 6th month of life.
- With the Landau reflex, the baby is placed in a floating position in the abdomen. It stretches its legs and raises its head. This can be observed from 4 to 18 months of age.
- The last reflex in the newborn, which is present until the 5th month of life, is the so-called readiness to jump. If the child is tilted forward, it stretches its arms forward.
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