A video that took the internet by storm a few years ago showcased a rather astonishing event. It depicted a baby, who was supposed to be washed, suddenly starting to walk.
While this might sound like a scene straight out of a movie, there's a perfectly natural explanation behind this walking spree.
The footage originates from Brazil, capturing a couple's most monumental moment of their lives. But things took an unexpected turn when the midwife was preparing to wash their newborn.
The tiny tot began moving its legs, seemingly trying to escape the bath.
In the video, the midwife exclaims, "Oh my God," as she witnesses the baby moving its feet, as if attempting to walk away. You can watch the video below.
However, this phenomenon isn't as mysterious as it might seem at first glance.
When a newborn is placed on its feet, there's a reflex that makes the baby's legs move. One foot is automatically placed in front of the other. This reflex, interestingly, fades away after a few weeks.
The stepping reflex, as it's often called, is a primitive reflex seen in newborn babies. It prepares them for walking later in life. When held upright with their feet touching a flat surface, they will appear to take steps or dance. This reflex is present at birth and usually disappears around two months of age.
