Little Hands Can Do Much: Encourage Your Baby’s Palmar Grasp!

Vini and Jay were both exhilarated and nervous at the birth of Yani, their first child. She was the apple of their eye, but like every new parent in their initial phase, they struggled through diaper changes, feeds, and erratic sleep schedules; and they also ensured that they spent quality time with their baby. The couple had the most fun when Yani would grasp Jay’s index finger when he’d gently place it on her palm. She’d hold his finger tight, and he’d squint, making a funny face, and go moooo. Yani would burst with laughter every single time!

Jay was amazed at how strong Yani’s grip was. ‘Are you Luisa Madrigal? Or The Hulk?’’ he’d often ask her. You must have already witnessed this if you‘ve had a baby, and might have had the same thoughts about the tight grasp. Why babies do this is no mystery. The superhuman-like ‘grip’ is called the palmar grasp reflex, which, according to experts, is essential for survival. Do you want to know how? Well, continue reading to learn about it.

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What Is the Palmar Grasp Or Grasp Reflex?

Nature has designed us so that we are born with primitive reflexes. The palmar grasp is one of those reflexes newborns, like Yani, demonstrate involuntarily when someone gently touches their palms. The reflex leads to babies naturally holding the object, touching their palm, in a grip stronger than one can imagine. Needless to say, keep your hair away from that ‘grip’.

When Does The Palmar Grasp Reflex Occur?

This is one of the reflexes that originates in the brainstem and is present at birth, which is why it is called a primitive reflex. Thus, like Yani, most newborns are likely to show this response.

Why Is the Palmar Grasp Reflex Important?

When Jay witnessed Yani’s palmar grasp reflex for the first time, he spoke fondly about it for years. For the couple, it was the time a special bond was formed between the father and the daughter. And rightly so; because this response helps newborns interact with people and the environment around them. It also helps enhance fine motor skills in newborns, which, as they grow, will help them hold objects, such as feeding bottles, spoons or toys, and carry out activities with their own hands independently.

What Can You Do To Encourage Your Baby’s Palmar Grasp?

Since the palmar grasp is essential for the baby in the long run, it is imperative that you encourage it. You could use some of these activities that Vini and Jay often did with Yani:

1. Use age-appropriate objects that the child can handle safely, such as a rattle or a squeaking toy.
2. Use a bright-coloured washcloth and hold it on the child’s palms, encouraging them to grab it. Once the baby holds it, pull it ever so gently, and repeat the activity again. When you’re done, be sure to keep the washcloth away to avoid accidents.
3. Use a mobile with toys that the baby can easily reach.
4. Utilise bath time by giving your baby a toy or a cup to hold and play in the water.
5. During mealtimes, let the baby hold the feeding bottle or the sipper.
6. If you’ve introduced foods, make arrangements for the child to eat using their hands, spoons, and forks.
7. Play catch with a ball big enough for your baby to hold.
8. Give your baby a toy and encourage them to transfer it from one hand to another.
9. Ask your child to pick baby-safe objects and place them in a basket or give them to you.

How Long Does The Palmar Grasp Reflex Last In Babies?

In most babies, the reflex lasts until the baby is 6 months old, after which it becomes a voluntary response.

How Do You Test An Infant’s Palmar Grasp Reflex?

It’s quite simple to test if your little one has the reflex. Lay the baby comfortably on a bed or the crib while they are still awake. Then, gently stroke the baby’s palms with a finger till they start closing their fingers. Eventually, the baby will cling to your finger and hold it in a tight grip.

What Happens If The Palmar Grasp Reflex Persists?

Ideally, the palmar grasp reflex should fade away by the time your child turns 6 months old. After that, holding, grasping, etc., should be voluntary responses. However, some older babies and kids might continue showing signs of involuntary reflexes. This can be identified if the child has issues when writing and holding objects. In case the grasp reflex persists, you must consult your medical practitioner right away as it could indicate damage to the central nervous system, which could affect the child’s overall development.

What Happens When A Newborn Doesn’t Have The Palmar Grasp Reflex?

Some babies may not have the palmar grasp reflex, and this may indicate damage to the central nervous system or cerebral palsy. However, sometimes, babies have a weak palmar grasp reflex, and they can voluntarily grasp objects within their reach around the age of 5-6 months. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you consult a medical practitioner and gain a professional’s point of view or guidance in case of the absence of the palmar grasp reflex in your baby.

Difference Between Palmar Grasp Reflex & Plantar Grasp Reflex

The reflex that occurs in the soles of the feet of a newborn baby is called the plantar grasp reflex. It occurs the same way the palmar grasp reflex does. If you stroke your baby’s outer part of the soles of the feet, the stimulus sends signals to the baby’s brainstem and leads to an involuntary response in the baby’s feet. In the palmar grasp reflex, the baby’s fingers curl inwards and hold the object touching their palm in a tight grip, but in a plantar grasp reflex, the baby’s toes fan out and the big toe stretches upward and backwards.

When & Why Does The Palmar Grasp Reflex Disappear?

Ideally, the palmar grasp reflex should disappear after your baby turns 6 months old. This means that the grasp no longer remains an involuntary reflex after 6 months, and becomes a voluntary response. Experts call it ‘integration’, and it indicates that the baby’s central nervous system has taken control for the reflex to become a voluntary movement.

Now that you know what the palmar grasp reflex is and why it is essential for your baby, go ahead and encourage it with the activities we’ve recommended above and make the most of it while it lasts, just the way Vini and Jay did.