Pediatricians and experts are weighing in on a viral video of a newborn baby walking with the support of a nurse just minutes after being born. Health magazine, People magazine and AOL featured Daniela Corbetta, professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the Infant Perception-Action Laboratory.
Corbetta weighs in on the phenomenon, which is actually a primitive reflex that infants have from the time they are born through their first couple months of life. She says the stepping reflex has been documented in newborns since the 1940s.
“It’s up for debate why this reflex occurs, but some experts say it’s to develop lower limb muscles that they’ll later use for independent, and conscious, walking,” said Corbetta. “This is very far from being able to walk.”