From the palmar to the pincer grasp: All those wonderful newborn reflexes to look out for

I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, time and time again, of how utterly exhausted you’ll be when baby finally arrives. And it’s true. While your baby will do nothing more than eat, sleep and poop, that’s pretty much all you’ll do too… minus the sleep. But it’s no matter – you’ll be completely smitten from the moment your little one wraps their teeny-tiny hands around your finger that you’ll brave the sleepless nights.

From birth, your newborn will instinctively start doing particular things – like wrapping their hands around your finger when you tickle their palm – it’s all part of their newborn reflexes. It’s pretty darn adorable and exciting to see, and it’s an automatic response that you can actually prompt. 

It’s important to test these reflexes out and encourage them, because some eventually develop into skills. Grasping your finger, for one, will sooner or later lead to reaching for and grasping their favourite toys.

Below we’ve listed all the actions you’ll want to monitor as you watch your little ones grow. Click on each for a video, description and quick read on how you can test those wonderful newborn reflexes. 

The palmar grasp reflex

The rooting and sucking reflex

The spinal galant reflex

The moro reflex

The plantar reflex

The asymmetrical tonic neck reflex

The stepping reflex

The pincer grasp reflex

Share your experience with your babies and their new reflexes by emailing chatback@parent24.com.

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