What is rooting (the rooting reflex)?

You stroke the cheek: You stroke the baby's cheek, the baby turns toward that side and tries to catch your finger with her lips. It's the cutest thing to watch, and it's more pronounced in a hungry baby. The reflex helps them find the nipple to feed on.

Head turn : Rooting is when babies turn their head and move their mouths to find a source of food.

Assists with feeding: The rooting reflex is a primitive reflex that is present at birth that helps your baby breastfeed. When your baby's cheek is stroked s/he will turn towards that side and open their mouth, searching for the object. This helps with breastfeeding. This reflex generally goes away around 4 months of age.

Breast feeding: Typically it is the newborns natural search for the nipple in order to nurse.

Rooting reflex: The rooting reflex helps to ensure successful breastfeeding.