If you’re doing the test on someone else, have them stretch out and relax their feet. You could also test yourself for the reflex by resting your foot on your knee, but you won’t be able to relax your foot as well. It’s much easier to either test someone else or have another person test you.

It’s okay if this is a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt. You might be pressing too hard if it’s painful. Make sure whatever you use isn’t sharp or jagged in any way. If the object hurts at all, then stop right away. Get something else that feels better.

If you need more stability, hold the top of the foot with your other hand.

Make this a smooth, single motion. Don’t stop moving the object.

Pay close attention to how the big toe curls specifically—don’t confuse the movement of the foot with the toe’s movement. Someone moving their foot back can make it seem like their big toe is curling upward, but that larger movement is distracting from what the toe itself is doing. [10] X Expert Source Mohammad Dar, MDBoard Certified Internist & Health Policy Director Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.

You might also see no reaction. This is normal and considered a neutral result.

Some babies lose the reflex as early as 12 months, so don’t worry if your baby doesn’t have the reflex. Not having the reflex isn’t usually considered a problem, but if you can’t find the Babinski sign on a baby younger than 12 months, talk to your pediatrician just to check if that’s okay.

The main cause for a Babinski reflex in older children is some type of nervous system disorder, but don’t worry yet. Your doctor needs to examine your baby to determine if there is anything wrong first. [15] X Expert Source Mohammad Dar, MDBoard Certified Internist & Health Policy Director Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.

Neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, lateral sclerosis, meningitis, or a brain tumor could cause a positive Babinski test. Don’t jump to conclusions though—always see your doctor if you think there’s a problem. You could also have a positive Babinski test after an injury to your back or head. This could be a sign of nerve damage.

If you were trying to test yourself, it’s possible you weren’t relaxing your foot enough. Try having someone else do the test and relaxing your leg as much as possible. Remember—a positive Babinski result at home by itself without any other neurologic symptoms such as weakness, numbness/tingling, or loss of sensation does not necessarily mean that there’s a worse underlying diagnosis. It’s always best to be assessed by a medical professional, as it’s easy to jump to conclusions with an at-home test. [18] X Expert Source Mohammad Dar, MDBoard Certified Internist & Health Policy Director Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.