If there has been a traumatic birth experience or birth by c-section, this may lead to retained reflexes. Additionally, retained primitive reflexes can be caused by falls, traumas, lack of tummy time, delayed or skipped crawling, chronic ear infections, head trauma, and vertebral subluxation.

Why do infantile reflexes disappear?

Many infant reflexes disappear as the child grows older, although some remain through adulthood. A reflex that is still present after the age when it would normally disappear can be a sign of brain or nervous system damage. Infant reflexes are responses that are normal in infants, but abnormal in other age groups.

How are primitive reflexes inhibited?

These primitive reflexes surface in utero and in infancy and become inhibited as the movements do their job and become more practiced and controlled. When a baby has been given the opportunity to develop freely and naturally, the primitive reflexes will integrate and no longer be active.