Primitive reflexes are specific movement patterns that allow the infant to find and get food, and are thought to lay down the neural networks that will become voluntary movements. They are not voluntary – meaning they happen whether the child wants them to or not. As the child gains motor control, these reflexes diminish and become integrated into voluntary movement. They become integrated as the child develops control over their body. They are also integrated by these sensory inputs the child gets through being touched, held and allowed to move on their own. For example, the rooting reflex is elicited by stroking the side of the mouth which causes the baby to turn its head in that direction. This allows the newborn to find the breast or bottle. It generally goes away by 3 months of age. The suck/swallow reflex is elicited by touching the newborn’s tongue so they can suck from a nipple. Between 2 and 3 months this gives way to voluntary sucking as the infant begins to gain some control over their tongue. If these reflexes are present beyond that age, it can indicate a neurological problem, this is true of any of the primitive reflexes. Because they are reflexes, and involuntary, they can interfere with the development of voluntary movement and can indicate a neurological problem. Most of the primitive reflexes are generally integrated by 12 months.