The Babinski reflex: What your child’s feet may be telling you
Walking on tiptoes, rolling ankles, clumsy running. Here’s what the Babinski reflex is, when it should go, and when you should see a doctor.
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By Adi and Dana Latter, Melillo Method certified practitioners · Updated 14 November 2026
Babinski reflex quick facts
- Also called
- The plantar reflex
- Appears
- Present at birth
- Usually fades by
- Around 1 to 2 years
- What it does
- Lifts the big toe and fans the toes when the sole is stroked
What is the Babinski reflex?
Stroke the outside of a baby’s sole, from heel to toe, and their big toe points up while the other toes spread out like a fan. That’s the Babinski reflex.
In babies, it’s a normal sign that the pathways from the brain to the feet are still maturing. As your child learns to stand and walk, those pathways develop, and the toes start to curl down instead.
This is the reflex where it really matters that you understand the medical side. In older children and adults, a clear Babinski response can be a sign of a problem in the brain or spinal cord. Doctors check for it for exactly that reason.
What it looks like in a baby
Your doctor will check this reflex in your baby. It’s expected to be there at birth and through the first year. It usually disappears somewhere between 1 and 2 years, as your toddler walks with confidence.
Signs the Babinski reflex may still be active
Some practitioners, including us, see these patterns in children whose Babinski reflex hasn’t fully settled:
- Walks on tiptoes
- Walks on the outside edges of the feet
- Ankles roll in, or feet look flat
- Clumsy running, trips often or falls more than other children
- Struggles with balance when standing on one leg
- Dislikes being barefoot, or wearing shoes
Why it can matter
The feet send a steady stream of information to the brain about where we are and how to stay balanced. Some practitioners believe that when the foot doesn’t settle into a stable pattern, balance and posture further up the body can be affected too. That’s why, in our clinic, we often look at the feet when we look at posture.
How we check for it and work with it
We look at how your child stands, walks and balances, how their feet and ankles move, and how the toes respond to touch on the sole. If anything looks like it needs a medical opinion, we’ll tell you, and suggest you see your GP before going any further.
In the Melillo Method, the feet are part of how we look at balance and posture. We also work with posture through our Posture Programme, which combines special insoles with eye exercises.
New to the approach? Read our guide to the Melillo Method in the UK.
What you can do at home
These are gentle foot activities. If your child has pain, weakness or toe walking that’s getting worse, see your GP first.
Barefoot on textures
Walking barefoot on grass, sand, carpet and a towel gives the feet lots of different information.
Toe pick ups
Picking up socks, pom poms or marbles with the toes and dropping them in a bowl.
Heel walking and spiky ball rolls
Walking on heels for a few steps, then rolling the sole slowly over a spiky massage ball while sitting.
A few minutes every day does more than a long session once a week. Consistency is what makes the difference.
Want a step by step plan?
Our free primitive reflexes course is a full course, not just an intro. It shows you how to work on primitive reflexes at home, step by step, with simple daily routines.
Start the free courseQuestions parents ask about the Babinski reflex
When should the Babinski reflex go?
Is a Babinski reflex in an older child serious?
Is the Babinski reflex linked to toe walking?
Can I work on my child’s feet at home?
Do you look at feet and posture in the clinic?
This page is general information for parents, written by Adi and Dana Latter, who are not medical doctors. It is not medical advice and does not replace your GP, health visitor, paediatrician or other health professional.
Ready to start?
Our free course is the easiest first step. If you’d rather talk it through, book a free 15 minute call with Adi or Dana and we’ll tell you honestly whether reflex work is worth trying for your child.
