Discover the Babinski Reflex: an essential neurological marker! Learn to recognize warning signs and understand its impact on walking and posture.
Published on October 30, 2025
The Babinski reflex is an archaic plantar response in infants that, when it persists beyond the expected age, may signal immaturity of the nervous system or disrupt posture and walking.
The Babinski reflex is a natural reflex observed in infants: when the sole of their foot is gently stroked, the toes fan out and the big toe rises.
This reflex is completely normal until around 12 months, at which point it should naturally integrate. If it remains active beyond that, it may hinder walking, foot support, or postural stability. In adults, its presence can even indicate a neurological problem.
The Babinski reflex is part of the archaic plantar-lateral reflexes and is primarily observed in pediatric and clinical neurology. It is triggered by a plantar skin stimulus: a stroke from the heel to the toes on the outer surface of the foot.
Dorsal extension of the big toe.
Fanning of the other toes.
Slight plantar retraction or knee flexion.
This reflex is normal and expected in infants. However, its persistence beyond 12-18 months may indicate a delay in pyramidal maturation or a non-integration of the archaic plantar pattern.
Stimulates the maturation of the foot (arch, proprioception).
Promotes reflexive supports before voluntary walking.
Prepares the nervous system for the integration of the upright postural pattern.
The Babinski reflex supports sensory exploration of the foot: the baby discovers the position of their toes, tests their supports, engages in movements towards crawling and standing.
Between 9 and 12 months, the Babinski reflex gradually inhibits, paving the way for finer voluntary movements and more stable motor regulation.
Excessive or asymmetric reflex response beyond 12 months.
Refusal to place feet on the ground.
Hypersensitivity to plantar contact (sand, grass, hard ground).
Delay in acquiring walking or standing instability.
Presence of the reflex = pathological sign (impairment of the pyramidal pathways).
May indicate a neurological lesion (multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury...).
⚠️ In adults, the reappearance of the Babinski reflex is always a warning signal and requires medical evaluation.
Poor foot support: walking on tiptoes or flat without rolling.
Standing instability: difficulty balancing on one leg.
Poor foot alignment: collapsed arch or feet turned inward.
Postural fatigue: the body compensates with the hips or back.
In children, this may lead to a clumsy gait, joint pain, or reluctance to walk for long periods.
The Babinski reflex is a direct expression of the activity of the peripheral sensory-motor pathways, related to the pyramidal system. It reveals the state of maturation of the descending nerve fibers that inhibit primitive reflexes.
Its presence indicates normal reflex activity (absence of inhibition).
Its reappearance suggests pathological disinhibition.
The evolution of Babinski is therefore a reliable clinical indicator of cortico-spinal integration.
The Babinski reflex works in synergy with other early locomotor reflexes, notably the automatic walking reflex.
The walking reflex engages foot support.
The Babinski modifies the tone of the foot in response to ground contact.
A persistent Babinski may hinder the smooth activation of automatic walking and delay the acquisition of voluntary locomotion.
👉Read the article on the automatic walking reflex →
The Babinski reflex is a fundamental marker of neurological development in infants. Normal in the first months, it should disappear to make way for voluntary movements and stable posture. Its persistence may interfere with walking, posture, and balance, and deserves special attention—especially in the presence of other associated motor signs.
As always, early screening, appropriate follow-up, and integration exercises can prevent lasting motor imbalances.
🔗Automatic Walking Reflex: Towards Voluntary Locomotion →
🔗Moro Reflex: Stress and Posture →
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