Which set of reflexes is typically present in a healthy 2-month-old?

• A. Moro, tonic neck, withdrawal
• B. Babinski, stepping
• C. Rooting only
• D. Asymmetric tonic neck

Answer: (A)

At about two months, several primitive reflexes are still reliably present as the nervous system matures. The Moro reflex remains, so when the infant is startled, the arms spread and then come together in a cuddle motion, reflecting a lingering brainstem response that typically fades by around 4–6 months. The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (tonic neck) also tends to be evident at this age; turning the head to one side triggers the opposite arm and leg to extend while the other side flexes, and this pattern usually persists until about 4–6 months. A withdrawal reflex to a painful stimulus—an automatic flexing away of the limb—is another reflex that should still be present, serving as a basic protective response in early infancy.

Other reflexes are less reliably present at two months. The stepping reflex often fades by around two months, so it’s not as consistent a finding at this age. Rooting and Babinski are common earlier or later depending on development, but the combination of Moro, tonic neck, and withdrawal best reflects what’s typically seen in a healthy 2-month-old.