Our Babkin Reflex

Have you ever noticed a child deep in concentration, their tongue sticking out as they write their letters? Tongue thrusting and drooling may be early physical signs of a retained Babkin Reflex. Habitual hoarders, those adults who struggle with letting go of possessions big and small, are demonstrating an immature Babkin reflex, which impacts the ability to release, relax and feel comfortable through bonding and secure relationships.

The Babkin Reflex appears during the first few months of infancy in concert with early grasping reflexes. When pressure is applied to the palm of the hand, the mouth will open and the head flexes forward slightly. To a lesser degree, this opening shows up in a similar way with pressure to other parts of the body, including the forearms and upper arms as well as the lower limbs. The Babkin reflex works alongside the Palmar Grasp, Infant Plantar and Root/Suck reflexes to establish a feeling of healthy attachment. The hand and mouth movement in tandem, for example, demonstrates a safe release from clinging to the mother as the infant feeds. The feeling of letting go coincides with a sense of security which then leads to the ability to confidently explore the world.

This reflex has an important role in helping the second stage of Moro to fully integrate, as the hands, mouth and feet open and transition out of the embrace of cling. A unifying reflex that allows for higher level bonding, the integration of the Babkin Reflex is vital to establishing trust.  It is often said that the relationship between the mother and child forms the foundation for future connections, which begins in those vital moments following childbirth. The Babkin Reflex enables our ability to interact with the world and build healthy relationships from a position of stability. When the reflex remains, socialization challenges may emerge later in life.