The rooting reflex is one of the first reflexes you’ll notice in your baby, and it plays a crucial role in early development. 

My name is Poonam. I’m an occupational therapist at Joy and Laughter Developmental Therapy. In this article, we’ll explain what the rooting reflex is, why it matters, when it should go away, and what it might mean if it sticks around longer than expected. We’ll also share how occupational therapy can help if this reflex persists.

What Is the Rooting Reflex?

The rooting reflex is called a primitive reflex, which means that it’s present during infancy and then it matures. This reflex appears around 32 weeks of gestation or fetal development. 

If you touch the baby’s cheek or lip, the response is the baby’s mouth is going to open and turn towards your touch. This is the rooting reflex. You can even see this on an ultrasound while the baby is still in the uterus. If the baby is moving its hands and touches its own cheek, the baby’s head is going to move towards their finger.

The purpose of the rooting reflex is to help the baby locate the mother’s breast while nursing. 

When Should the Rooting Reflex Become an Action Your Baby Can Control?

Some reflexes remain for a lifetime, but primitive reflexes like the rooting reflex should disappear as your baby grows. Typically, the rooting reflex fades around 3 to 4 months of age as voluntary control over feeding movements develops. 

If a primitive reflex doesn’t mature, it could be due to a medical condition like:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Cognitive or developmental delays
  • Other neurological disorders

What Happens if the Rooting Reflex Doesn’t Integrate?

If the rooting reflex doesn’t mature as expected, it can lead to challenges such as: 

  • Excessive drooling
  • Tongue thrust (when the tongue protrudes out of the mouth)
  • Difficulty with feeding (including swallowing and chewing)
  • Challenges with speech development
  • Hypersensitivity around the mouth (reacting strongly to light touch)
  • Excessive sucking or chewing on objects
  • Muscle tone issues (either low tone, called hypotonia, or high tone, hypertonia)
  • Asymmetrical posture
  • Delayed motor milestones

How Occupational Therapy Can Help if Your Child Still Has Their Rooting Reflex

There are certain exercises and techniques occupational therapists can do to desensitize the rooting reflex. Some of the techniques we may use include: 

  • Providing stimulation: we could gently stroke the baby’s face from ear to mouth and from nose to mouth to stimulate the rooting reflex.
  • Oral motor exercises: we can give older children gum or items to chew on and encourage them to make certain sounds or do other oral motor exercises to give them more control over their facial muscles. 
  • Practicing crawling: we can also have older kids crawl, since crawling is a great movement that helps integrate reflexes.

Contact JLD Therapy for Personalized Support

If you suspect your child may still have an active rooting reflex or other developmental concerns, it’s a good idea to consult a professional. Your pediatrician or pediatric therapist can help assess your child’s needs and create a personalized treatment plan.

If you have any other questions, reach out to JLD Therapy at (408) 337-2727 today.