A reflex we lose as we grow up

The palmar grasp

We’re all born with the primitive palmar grasp reflex. It appears as early as 16 weeks in the womb and lasts until five or six months of age.

It’s a remnant of when our ancestors lived in trees and babies had to hold on to their mother’s fur as they swung from branch to branch. In human babies, this shows up when an object is placed in a newborn’s hand and the fingers will close around it and they will grasp it.

The grip is so strong a newborn baby can hang on to a clothes line and take its own weight. But don’t try this at home!

The reverse motion can be induced by stroking the back or side of the hand.