Your Child is Going to be a Baseball Player!

Your Child is Going to be a Baseball Player!

By Teri Roberts, DPT

Owner and Pediatric Physical Therapist, AZOPT Kids Place

As a parent of a newborn, inevitably you have heard someone tell you “wow, your baby’s grip is so strong; I bet he will be a baseball player.”  While true, in all likelihood your baby’s grip is strong, it does not necessarily mean your child will grow up to be a baseball player.  The reason your baby has a strong grip when you place your finger in their hands is due to the Palmar Grasp Reflex. 

The Palmar Grasp Reflex occurs at birth until approximately 6 months of age.  You can elicit this response by placing your finger into a newborn’s hand from the pinky finger side.  Your child should immediately grasp their hand around your finger.  Even with a slight tug, your baby will most likely not release.  This reflex is important to teach children how to grab objects and use their hands in a functional purpose. 

At approximately 6 months of age, the grasping is no longer reflexive, but an automatic process of grasping objects and subsequently choosing to release these objects.  When this happens, the Palmar Grasp has been integrated.  Many babies develop the ability to grasp and release prior to six months.  These babies still require the use of the Palmar Grasp Reflex with activities like pulling to sit, standing, and bouncing on a parent’s legs with the support of a finger. 

Parents should watch for their baby’s ability to demonstrate open hand postures during awake or sleep times during the first few months.  Additionally, parents should look for their baby to release objects when grabbed after six months.  The inability to complete the above tasks can point to signs of neurological issues.  Please contact your physician or contact me at Kids Place if you are concerned with the overall development of your child.

So yes, your baby may grow up to be a Major League Baseball star, but it has nothing to do with newborn grip.