Rooting Reflex
Definition
The rooting reflex is an automatic response seen in newborn babies, who turn their face towards the stimulus and make sucking motions with the mouth when the cheek or lip is touched. This helps to ensure successful breastfeeding.
Analogy
Think of a sunflower that turns its head to follow the sun across the sky. Just like how the sunflower instinctively knows to do this for survival (photosynthesis), a baby instinctively knows to turn its head and start sucking when its cheek or lip is touched, ensuring it gets nourishment.
Related terms
Moro Reflex: An infantile reflex where a baby will startle in response to a loud sound or sudden movement.
Babinski Reflex: A reflex found in infants where when the sole of the foot is stroked, they spread out their toes.
Grasping Reflex: An infantile reflex where if you stroke a baby's palm, they'll close their hand around your finger.
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