Infant Instincts

Compared to any other animal, humans have it pretty bad when it comes to surviving as an infant. While most other mammals are able to run from predators and hunt for food shortly after birth, we humans have to wait at least 8 months to be able to take our first step, and even as adults some of us can't feed ourselves. Even though we seem pretty helpless, all infants have plenty of survival instincts that might surprise you. 

1. Sucking

The very action of sucking is a survival instinct. We are geared to breastfeed from the get-go, and quite often babies are given pacifiers to suck on as a comforting device because the urge to suckle is so strong that the baby will do the action even after they have been fed. Babies will also suck on their fingers and just about anything else to pacify the this need, and sometimes this habit continues after the child has been introduced to solid foods. 

2. Grasp

 

If you put your finger in a baby's palm, they will grasp your finger tightly. Some researchers say that this is a leftover instinct from our ape days of holding on to our mother's hair while maneuvering through trees. Often, a babies grasp is strong enough to briefly hold their own weight.

3. Floating in water

Yup, if a baby falls in water they will instinctively flip on their back and float. PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Obviously, children can still drown even with these reflexes. According babycenter.com, it is a combination of two reflexes that keep infants from drowning. The "Dive Reflex" is what makes the child hold their breath and open their eyes when submerged, and the "Swimming Reflex" causes the baby to make swimming motions and flip on their back to float. Obviously, you should never try this at home. However, if you are interested in learning more, please visit this website. 

4. Stepping

If held upright, a newborn will make stepping motions when their foot touches a surface. You can see it in a video here. Of course the baby's head is too large for it to be able to walk upright, not to mention the lack of motor skills and muscle power, but its cute to watch them try!  The reflex disappears around four months of age and does not help the baby to learn to walk.

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