The Babinski reflex and baby toes

Your baby develops various primitive reflexes before they are born and sometimes soon after birth; the primitive reflexes are actions that happen in response to sensory stimuli. Primitive reflexes are mediated by the brainstem – the part of the brain that controls things such as breathing – as your baby’s brain develops, these reflexes become inhibited as higher areas of the brain develop.^[1] 

Babinski reflex

Primitive reflexes are linked to survival and also ensure that your baby moves, so these responses support the development of controlled movement.^[1] The Babinski reflex is one of these reflexes and is linked to the movement of your baby’s foot: when you stroke the sole of their foot, their big toe will move upwards and the other toes will fan outwards.  

The Babinski reflex is linked to another primitive reflex – the plantar grasp reflex – which causes your baby’s toes to curl inwards when there is pressure on the ball of their foot, as if they are grasping with their toes. It is thought that the Babinski reflex helps to integrate the plantar grasp reflex so that your baby’s toes do not curl inwards when they begin to crawl or move.^[2]   

Using the toes while on their tummy

The Babinski reflex might also help your baby as they start to move on their tummy. The reflex will help them to push their toes into the ground so that they can push with their feet. If your baby does a ‘commando crawl’ when they are older, you might notice them using their toes to help with this movement.  

The Babinski reflex will gradually be integrated, but is likely to be present for some time. The primitive reflexes become integrated as your baby develops control of their movements, as their brain develops and they begin to develop postural reflexes which help them to maintain their balance and are mediated at the level of the midbrain and cortex.^[1] 

References:

[1] Goddard-Blythe, S (2017). Attention, Balance and Coordination: The A.B.C. of learning success, (2nd edn.) West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.  

[2] Goddard-Blythe, S. (2004). The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning. Stroud: Hawthorn Press.