Grasping reflex: concept, definition, norm and pathology, identification of problems, necessary treatment and physical procedures

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The infant's grasping reflex is an ancient phylogenetic mechanism. The ability to hold objects in the handles initially leads to the world of games, and then the baby learns to eat on his own. The grasp reflex is innate. By the age of one, this reflex becomes conscious and turns into a coordinated and conscious action. In this article, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the stages of development of the reflex, identify the causes of a weak or absent reflex.

First stage

When does the grasp reflex appear in a newborn? As already mentioned above, this is an innate reaction. From birth to a year, the reflex is transformed into a conscious action, and there are 4 stages in total.

The first stage lasts from 0 to 2 months and is detected very simply. Doctor or parents when pressing a finger onthe baby's palm should be felt as his palm is strongly compressed around the finger. And this unconscious reaction is a grasping reflex.

For a long period, the baby's hands are clenched into fists. But over time, curiosity will wake up, and the child will begin to unclench them and squeeze them again.

Already at the first stage, some babies try to consciously grab everything that comes into their field of vision with their hands.

Second stage of development

This stage develops at the age of three months. At this time, the baby still does not know exactly what he needs, but is already trying to play with toys, reach out to objects. During this period, not only the grasping reflex develops, but also the coordination of movements, the organs of vision.

From the age of three months, parents may be advised to hang a multi-colored toy over the baby's bed so that he can reach it with his hands. You can also play with the face covering, and the baby will soon begin to repeat these movements.

Third stage

Lasts from four to eight months. At this stage, the baby will still not be very dexterous, but will already be more confident in holding small objects and toys in his hands. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the child develops, his curiosity wakes up, and objects that pose a danger to him should be out of reach.

At eight months old, the baby should hold objects in their hands more efficiently and coordinated.

The fourth stage of development of the grasping reflex

From ninemonths and up to a year, the child will hold objects quite firmly, tenacity will become stronger, and parents will have to forcefully take objects that cannot be taken from their hands.

By the year the problem with the grasping reflex in the child should be almost solved. By his first birthday, your baby should be able to pick up objects with both his right and left hands.

Development of the reflex

Without external stimulation, the development of the grasping reflex may be difficult. Parents should help their child learn to pick up and hold objects.

The first thing to do is to generate interest in the subject. Buy rattles with a thin handle, a children's bright spoon. Give objects not directly into the handle, but from a distance so that the baby reaches for them, makes an effort.

At the first stage, unclench the fists of the crumbs, put your fingers in the palm of your hand.

From the year you need to promote the development of fine motor skills. To do this, the child needs to be given slices of apples, a bread crust, cookies in the hands, learn to hold a spoon and use it correctly. Under supervision, let me twist the plasticine in the handles, try to mold something out of it together. Developing a grasping reflex is very simple, but for this you need to make some effort, and not hope that over time the baby will learn everything on his own.

If you notice a lethargic reaction, or it is weakened, then you should consult a pediatrician.

When the reaction is weak

Baby's weak grasp reflex can be noticeable up to two months of age, and this is normal. If the weakness continuesmuch longer, then this is not a reason to sound the alarm. Perhaps the baby needs all possible help from an adult.

Arouse interest in objects, massage the child's hands with circular movements of the thumb.

But still it is worth contacting a pediatrician with a question about a weak reflex. The doctor will identify the causes of such a failure, prescribe the necessary massage courses, physiotherapy or even drug therapy.

No reflex

When there is no grasping reflex, you should not panic, it will not help the baby to develop it. The reason for the lack of a reflex may not be a violation in the nervous system or other diseases, but a weak muscle tone.

A simple massage can help to cope with the problem, which is easy for parents to do themselves, even without specialized education.

Massage should be combined with activities with the child. Attract his interest in subjects. For example, playing while eating on a plane will help. Bring the spoon to the baby's mouth, and then move it back a little. The baby will begin to reach for the spoon with his handles, grab it and pull it into his mouth. Treatment does not take much time, and with the right approach, it will soon be possible to get rid of the problem.

Classes for the development of the reflex

In the complete absence of a grasping reflex in a newborn or in a weak one, you need to try to develop it. In order for the baby's muscles to work as they should, you will have to work with the child for some time, not only during wakefulness, butand during sleep. Let's look at a few simple exercises that will help develop the grasping reflex.

1. While the baby is sleeping, his fists will be weakly clenched, right now you need to start developing the reflex. Put your finger first in one palm, the child will begin to involuntarily squeeze the fist, holding the object in it. Next, move your finger to another pen and again wait for a good response. Such manipulations must be done every time the baby falls asleep.
2. Extend baby's thumb, hold it with your thumb so it doesn't curl back. Grasp the other fingers of the child with the rest, knead in a circular motion to the left side. Then bend each finger in turn, then unbend it.
3. Unbend all the baby's fingers, use your thumb to massage in circular motions. You can play "Magpie Crow", this game also helps to develop a grasping reflex.
4. Hang toys over the crib, they should all be within reach, but the baby must be dexterous and strong to reach and grab them.
5. Play rattles with the baby, shake them in front of the child, he should show interest, try to take a bright thing on his own. Don't put rattles in baby's hands, he should grab them.

If by the third month of life the baby still does not have enough toys, does not try to keep them, then this may be evidence of hypotonicity or hypertonicity of the muscles. It is impossible to let its development take its course, it is necessarysee a doctor.

When the reaction does not fade away

As it was written earlier, the innate reflex must eventually be transformed into conscious movements. If, after the baby reaches the age of five months, the automatic reaction does not fade away, you need to urgently contact a specialist, because this may indicate a violation in the nervous system and spinal cord.

Time to see a pediatrician

It happens that babies have absolutely no innate grasping reflex. We told you what activities should be carried out for its development and about the need for massage. If the procedures do not help, and the grasping reflex does not appear in the child, you should immediately contact the doctor.

Timely initiation of treatment is half the success of therapy. The doctor will prescribe medication, physiotherapy and massage to help develop the reflex. After timely assistance, the child will begin to develop according to the norms, he will quickly catch up with his peers and by the year he will independently learn to hold objects in his little hands.

If by the age of nine months the baby has not yet learned to hold objects on his own, to take them, then you need to consult a specialist. You will likely need massages and other treatments.

If the baby is not even five months old, and he has not begun to grab objects, then this is also an unkind sign. The norm of such development is prematurity, but after five months the baby in development should catch up with peers.

As soon as the baby begins to showinterest in subjects, help him maintain that curiosity. If you select the thing you like (of course, if it is not dangerous), then this interest in exploring the world may fade away. At the first attempts to grab a thing, stimulate the baby, help him, arouse interest.

Conclusion

The absence or weakness of one of the reflexes, including the grasping one, does not indicate the presence of serious developmental disorders or diseases. Toddlers have many reflexes, and the absence or weakness of several of them is cause for concern. If you are not worried about the grasping reflex, then pay attention to the work of the others:

1. The sucking reflex is one of the most important, without it it is difficult for a child to survive. If you put a pacifier, bottle or breast in your baby's mouth, the baby should begin to actively suck.
2. Search reflex. Checking the normal operation of this reaction is simple: you need to lightly touch the baby's cheek with your finger. The normal reaction is to turn the baby's head towards the touched cheek, whether the baby is asleep or awake.
3. Defensive reaction. Put the baby on his tummy, he should not rest his face, but turn his head to the side so that you can breathe calmly.
4. Abdominal reflex. Just lightly tickle the baby's tummy to the right of the navel, in response, a reaction will follow - squeezing the left leg and handle.
5. Galant's reflex. When the baby is lying on the tummy, tickle the lumbar region, the baby will have to lift the pelvis and bend the leg.
6. Crawling reflex. A child lying on his stomach should try to crawl, put your hands under the heels, and the baby will begin to actively push off.
7. Other reflexes: soaring, tonic labyrinth, signaling, pull-ups, hand support, automatic gait, trunk rectifying reaction, cross-bending of the legs.

All these reflexes are checked by pediatricians, and if any are found to be absent in conjunction with grasping, the doctor will prescribe an examination.