What it means
Touching the palm with a finger or object makes the baby grip it, often strongly. It is present at birth and fades over the first months as the baby gains control of the hands; textbooks give ages from about 3 to 6 months. A similar curling of the toes when the sole is touched is the plantar grasp reflex.
For the nurse
Test both hands and compare them; a weak or one-sided grasp can point to a nerve injury and should be reported.
Related terms
reflex
An automatic body response to something that stimulates it, which happens without thought, such as the knee jerk.
Moro reflex
A newborn reflex in which a sudden noise or loss of support makes the baby fling the arms out and then bring them back in.
rooting reflex
A newborn reflex in which the baby turns toward a touch on the cheek or the corner of the mouth and opens the mouth.