Palmar and plantar reflexes in babies

Palmar and plantar reflexes

The plantar and palmar reflexes are there from 11^th week of gestation and the palmar stays till 2 to 3 months after birth and the plantar till 6-7 months after birth. The palmar reflex it is usually quite strong on the baby. If you put a finger in their hands they can hold on tightly and even hold their own body weight. Even though it is not recommended. These reflexes are still retain from our primitive time as the baby is though to hold on the mother fur tightly so they would not fall off. The palmar reflex is also thought to be connected to breast feeding and kneading reaction to get the milk out better. Many babies do that when breast feeding or bottle fed. Sometimes it is recommended to stimulate this reflex to encourage the baby latching on. Gentle pressure on the hands and feet should be enough to stimulate the latching on and reflex. Well once this reflex go it start the stage where the baby will hold on toys and then let them go. And yes I know it is annoying after the 10^th time that they do that, however that is also part of their development skills! The baby is learning how to let go at will, with the outcome of a good manual dexterity and connection to the speech later. The plantar reflex will disappear when the baby is crawling if retained that the baby will have difficulty in crawling and balancing himself up when walking and the tendency to toe walk.  I mentioned in the past that crawling is an important step for babies as that develops the eye and hand coordination which is essential for writing later in life as well as putting food into their mouth eventually!

Reference:

S.G.Blythe (2004). The well balanced child. Hawthorn Press. Uk