The grasp reflex in babies is known, the one that causes babies to make an attempted grasping movement at any contact with the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. The plantar grasp reflex refers to the arching movement of the baby’s toes upon contact.
The plantar grasp reflex can be achieved when, brushing the back of the toe with a pencil, causes the fingers to flex, even retaining the object. This reflex, present since the baby is born, disappears later, at approximately nine months .
Like the other primitive reflexes, if this reflex does not disappear at the age it should, there may be a suspicion of a nervous system disorder.
The adorable primitive reflexes. pic.twitter.com/zLHntlFuC5
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A primitive reflex: survival reaction
This grasp reflex is also held in the hands and is known as the palmar grasp reflex. By rubbing or touching the palm of the newborn’s hand, the baby will make a fist with force.
According to experts, this reflex, like other primary reflexes in babies, is something inherited from our ancestors, when humans had a large amount of body hair it served babies to cling to the mother’s body in case of danger.
If the plantar grasp reflex persists, it would be impossible for the baby to start walking normally, since the flat foot on the ground would be prevented.
Due to this reflex, it is sometimes difficult to put little shoes on the baby, even if they are very flexible shoes, since due to the plantar grasp reflex the baby arches the toes and the foot so that the operation is difficult.
Photo | Rene Asmussen and Pexels
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