palmar grasp on 3 month infant

Here is an example of the primitive/infantile reflex - palmar grasp. It is important to note that these reflexes are normal, appropriate and encouraged when seen within the expected timeline. Some primitive reflexes are necessary for survival and some promote normal development. Below is the expected timeline for the reflex to initially be observed and when it should integrate (go away). Some infants/children will retain reflexes for longer than they are supposed to, making normal future development more challenging. Palmar grasp is a reflex that helps infants start to explore their environment and regard toys but if it does not go away it can make letting go of toys hard. Ex. Some infants will accidentally grasp their own hair and elicit the reflex and then pull. They may then struggle to let go because they have not developmentally learned to volitionally (voluntarily) let go...and then they cry because it hurts. There are multiple causes of retained reflexes (reflexes that have stayed too long). Many of these reasons are related to neurological involvement and some appear to be there without an obvious cause. There are activities that can be taught and used to help reflexes integrate and go away. A professional, like a pediatric physical or occupational therapist, would be a good place to start for help or questions on these.


Onset: 28 weeks gestation to birth
Integration: 4-5 months
Position: supine with head in midline
Procedure: insert your index finger into the palm of the infant’s hand, from the ulnar side and press gently against the palmar surface
Response: 1) quick flexion and adduction of the fingers (“catching phase”) 2) sustained flexion of the fingers when traction is maintained on the flexor tendons (“holding phase”)
Response may spread to entire arm and upper body

Note this is another video of the same reflex I have posted previously but demonstrated on a different age/stage infant. This little one is not fisted as frequently as the little boy but you might still notice that I attempt to brush the back of her hand to open her fingers (I should have consistently brushed from the base of her fingers towards her wrist).