Your baby's wriggling toes are a sign of brain development

Newborn babies are born with reflexes: primitive responses that we would have needed thousands of years ago to protect ourselves.  

What starts out as an involuntary movement coming from the brainstem, moves into a controlled response as they become more aware of and in control of their movements. These reflexes are demonstrations of your baby’s brain development! 

Two reflexes you can see in your baby's feet are:  

• Babinski reflex: when you touch the sole of your baby's foot, their big toes followed by their other toes will curl towards your finger. 
• Step reflex: which your health visitor will demonstrate to you, is where your baby, when held upright on a flat service, will move as if they are stepping on the surface.