We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Step Reflex?

Alex Tree
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 26,180
Share

The step reflex is one of the primitive or infant reflexes observable in newborn babies. Also called the walking reflex or the dance reflex, it refers to the stepping motions made by a baby when his feet touch a solid surface. Although it appears that the baby could walk, he cannot support his own weight and does not have the balance required to do so.

This behavior can be demonstrated by a person holding a baby upright in a standing position while supporting him under his armpits. The adult should allow the soles of the baby’s feet to lightly touch the surface of a table or the floor. After this, the baby should start to alternately move his feet as if walking.

A step reflex is present at birth and should disappear by three or four months of age. It will become a voluntary behavior when the baby reaches around eight to 12 months old. This is the period when the baby begins to learn how to walk.

The presence and strength of the step reflex is an indicator of neurological functioning in a newborn. The strength of the reflex response of the baby, however, will depend on his arousal level. A baby who is feeling tired or sleepy may not respond as expected. Continuous inability to exhibit the behavior, regardless of the baby's arousal level, may be a symptom of an underlying problem and should be reviewed by a doctor.

Total absence of the step reflex, as well as its persistence beyond four months of age, could indicate problems with neurological functioning, such as cerebral palsy. Infants who are suffering from a condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome will have an absence of step reflex as one of its symptoms. Neonatal abstinence syndrome refers to a set of withdrawal behaviors that are observed in infants who were exposed to drugs like opiates and methadone while in the womb.

An asymmetrical reflex, where the behavior is only observed on one side but not on the other, could indicate a lesion in the parts of the brain or spinal cord that control the reflex. Adults who have experienced brain injury or a stroke may suddenly exhibit a return of the primitive reflex as a result of damage to the brain. The step reflex, along with other infant reflexes, is assessed at birth and during periodic well-baby visits to the pediatrician.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Alex Tree
By Alex Tree
Andrew McDowell is a talented writer and The Health Board contributor. His unique perspective and ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner make him a valuable asset to the team, as he crafts content that both informs and engages readers.
Discussion Comments
By Logicfest — On Feb 25, 2014

Good to know. I always thought parents did this to "test" if a kid was ready to walk or not. Who could have guessed such a simple procedure could reveal so much about a baby?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree
Andrew McDowell is a talented writer and The Health Board contributor. His unique perspective and ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner make him a valuable asset to the team, as he crafts content that both informs and engages readers.
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-step-reflex.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.