Neuro-Ethics of “Walking” in the Newborn

Abstract

The newborn has protective mechanisms against most overstimulation through the special sense modalities. By contrast, he is forced to react with stereotyped motion when his reflexes, e.g., the “walking” and placing reflexes, are elicited through “exercises” and at times even beyond the normal prevalence of the “walking” reflex (until 8 wk. of age). This interferes with the normal newborn's phases of motor quiescence and of reflex inhibition probably due to cortical inhibition. Questions are raised about long-range neurological implications of such an overemphasis on the lowest level of motor integration at a time when not even the pyramidal tracts have matured sufficiently to make voluntary walking possible. Clinical observations by Simpkiss and Raikes pointed to detrimental effects of too early use of “baby-walkers” even at 3 mo. of age.