What reflex is observed when a newborn turns their face toward a touch on their cheek?

The reflex observed when a newborn turns their face toward a touch on their cheek is known as rooting. This reflex is crucial for infants, as it helps them locate the breast or bottle to begin feeding. When an object touches a baby's cheek or corner of their mouth, the baby instinctively turns their head toward that side and opens their mouth, facilitating the feeding process. This reflex is typically present from birth and usually diminishes by six months of age as the infant develops more voluntary motor skills and begins to feed more independently.

In contrast, the sucking reflex involves the automatic sucking movement that occurs when something touches the baby's lips, which is also related to feeding. The grasping reflex occurs when an infant automatically closes their fingers around an object that touches their palm, while the startle reflex, or Moro reflex, is a response to sudden loud noises or movements, causing the baby to flail their arms and legs and then retract them. Each of these reflexes serves different functions in an infant's early development, but rooting specifically aids in feeding and interaction with caregivers.