What are Primitive Reflexes?

As parents, we're always amazed by how quickly our children grow and develop. From those first tiny movements in the womb to their independent steps, it's a fascinating journey! A big part of this early development involves something called primitive reflexes.

So, what exactly are primitive reflexes?

Imagine your baby as a little superhero, born with some amazing built-in instincts. Primitive reflexes are those automatic, involuntary movements that babies make. They're like little helper programmes hardwired into their brains and bodies from before birth.

These reflexes are absolutely crucial for:

Getting through birth: Some reflexes help guide your baby down the birth canal.

Early survival: Think about a newborn instinctively rooting for the breast or sucking when something touches the roof of their mouth – essential for feeding!

Developing early skills: They help your baby gain head control, develop muscle tone, and start to understand their body in space.

When do they "switch off"?

In a typically developing child, these primitive reflexes do their job and then gradually "switch off" or inhibit as your child grows. This usually happens by the time they're around 12 months old. As these primitive reflexes fade away, more mature, voluntary movements and skills can develop. It's like building the foundations of a house – once the foundations are solid, you can start building the walls and roof!

What happens if they don't switch off?

Sometimes, for various reasons, these primitive reflexes don't fully inhibit and remain active beyond that first year. When this happens, they can actually get in the way of your child's natural development. It's like trying to build those walls and roof while the foundations are still shifting!

If these reflexes stick around, they can lead to a whole range of challenges for children, which might show up as:

Behavioural difficulties: Perhaps your child is easily overwhelmed, struggles with impulse control, or has frequent meltdowns.

Emotional struggles: You might notice increased anxiety, difficulty managing their feelings, or a tendency to withdraw.

Learning challenges: This could include difficulties with concentration, reading, writing, or even just sitting still in class.

Physical issues: Things like poor balance, clumsiness, awkward movements, or even issues with bedwetting can sometimes be linked to uninhibited reflexes.

How can we help?

The good news is that we can often help these reflexes to integrate. At Thrive, we work with children using gentle, non-invasive, and drug-free approaches. We use specific, easy-to-do physical exercises that your child can often do daily.

These movements are carefully designed to help those unintegrated primitive reflexes finally inhibit. By doing so, we're essentially helping the central nervous system to get back on track with its natural development – giving your child's brain a fresh opportunity to flourish and reach its full potential.

In our experience, this can lead to wonderful changes, such as:

Feeling calmer and less anxious.

Finding learning easier and more enjoyable.

Better emotional control and self-regulation.

More age-appropriate social behaviour.

Improved movement, coordination, and balance.

If any of this sounds familiar, or you're curious to learn more, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to help your child thrive!

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