No grasp reflex?

[CoalCraft]

DD was born at 33 weeks gestation and was in hospital for three weeks. She's now been home for a little under a month and is approaching her due date (07/01), so developmentally she's about equivalent to a newborn.

I've never been able to get a reliable gran reflex from her - I stroke her palm and nothing happens, or she very slowly curls her fingers round after a few seconds. It's the same on both hands. She can grasp, as while she's active her little hands are always clenching and relaxing, and so sometimes she latches on to my hair or something, but I'm not convinced that's not just where she's happened to close her hands while something was there, if you see what I mean.

While we were in hospital I mentioned it to the doctors and they just shrugged. I don't think they took me seriously. I plan on mentioning it to hv at next visit, whenever that is, and at her "six week check" (which will be closer to nine weeks) 🙄, but in the meantime I wonder if anyone has experienced similar? She has all the other reflexes - Moro, rooting, etc.

There’s a specific board for premature babies, you might grt more/more informed responses there?

If she is able to grasp, it doesn’t sound like a problem. You say the doctors weren’t worried, and she has all her other reflexes. Are you unde anyone’s care before the checkup? When my twins were discharged from SCBU, we were under the care of the outreach team, and we weren’t discharged from that until after their due date when the nurse was happy that they were progressing well. Do you have something like that?

Thanks for replying!

The prem board seems quiet and I figured since she's almost at her due date and very much "term" developmentally now, here should be relevant. I figure she'd be like this anyway even if she was born now? Though maybe I'm wrong about that.

She did have an outreach nurse, but she was discharged a couple of weeks ago. We only saw that nurse once and I didn't think to mention it at the time :/ We just have the HV now.

You're probably right that of the doctors weren't worried, I probably shouldn't be. Guess I can't help always fretting about something

I read that babies lose their grasp reflex but I cant remember when this might happen, perhaps it's that? Perhaps health visitor can provide some guidance

Hi @CoalCraft,

Did you get any further on this? I have exactly the same concerns about my 3 week old x

@stillsleeptraining

Not really I'm afraid. I mentioned it to every health professional I saw and they all just sort of shrugged and brushed it off. All I can tell you is that she's now corrected-age nearly two months and appears to be developing normally - smiles, focuses on faces/objects, holds up her head, etc. Still doesn't automatically grasp though!

Let me know if you ever find out anything?

@CoalCraft That’s really reassuring that her development is all normal. Fingers crossed they’re both just lazy!

I have a GP appointment today about it, so I’ll let you know x

Hi @CoalCraft,

I spoke to the GP and the HV this morning (she called by chance) and they both told me to take DD to A&E to get her checked out by a paediatrician. GP said that GP’s aren’t qualified to perform the tests. HV spoke to colleagues and said the same. She said she could refer me to a paediatrician, but it would take a couple of months and that we should just hear to A&E for a check up.

She was checked by two paediatricians, who said that the test had to be done a certain way (eg stroke hand up not down) and gave her the all clear. The first was an emergency paediatrician and actually seemed a bit worried as she thought her reactions were a bit weak, but the consultant paediatrician understood the tests a bit more, so it seems they’re not as simple to administer as they look! Very reassuring but process was quite worrying! x

@stillsleeptraining

Huh, amazing that we got such different responses; everyone I spoke too was completely indifferent! Very glad that your DD got the all clear. Am not particularly worried about my dd now since everything else seems normal and on track but will raise it again at her next check up just to be safe.

Thanks for getting back to me x

Hi, just wondering how your baby got on? I have the same issues with mine x

Hi, just wondering how your baby got on? I have the same worries with mine! X

Hi, just wondering how your baby got on? I am having the same worries! X

@CoalCraft @stillsleeptraining
Hi, sorry I forgot to tag you both! Just wondering what the outcomes were for your little 1s? My 6 week old baby doesn't have the reflex at all, I am worried, I have read all kinds if things it can mean like cerebral palsy. He is waiting to see the paediatrician so fingers crossed! (sorry for the multiple posts Im new here! xx

@Laurajj87121 All good here. I was doing it wrong. I’d remembered how my eldest had done it and it was all age-inappropriate what I was trying to do, or at least not quite right. She’s been ahead of all her milestones, but she doesn’t grab at everything and hold on for dear life like DS did. It’s just her nature to be more considered and cautious.

I hope everything works out for you too x

@stillsleeptraining
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me! I'm so glad things turned out well for you! :) how old is she now? I did read prem baby's can have weaker reflexes! However my baby was full term but I did have a traumatic birth and he was very big! Thank you. Hopefully it is nothing to worry about! X

She’s 9 months now. Overdue when I had her!

@Laurajj87121 @stillsleeptraining @crazychemist

Hi first time posting. Just wandering how all your littles are doing.

My son is 14 weeks and was born without that tight grip also (like the one you have to pry their fingers off) He's laughing smiling full of curiosity and good trunk control. Though won't hold toys atall and barely puts any pressure on my finger. Google is the worst.

Hi! She's absolutely fine. Not as strong as her brother, but is ahead of milestones physically and cognitively.

Good luck x

Thankyou for the quick reply.

That is amazing news, what a worry . You must be so proud.

google has alot to answer for. Me and hubby were convinced he had Cerebral plausy.

Had an appointment with physio this morning, she was totally happy with him and discharged him. He's just concentrating on other developments right now. What a relief.

Hi hope your kido will be perfect
I have concern about my baby she has a weak palmar reflex and one month old
is that ok
i am worried
is your baby is alright with this plz let me know

Hey hope your baby will be perfect
having same issue with my bub
is that ok please let me know

Hy
hope your baby will be fine
please Let me know about this
my baby is having weak reflex and sometimes no grasp
first time mom and worried

@Mumof3NorseBoys @Laurajj87121 @10187Mummyof2 @stillsleeptraining
hi everyone
hope your lil ones are perfectly fine
I have a same concern for baby of weak or absence of palmar reflex with rarely grasping and she is almost 6 weeks now
is everything is ok with you guys
I am really worried about
google is giving worst answers
pl do let me know about your conditions
Thankyou

@Bano21

Hi so our baby is nearly 11 months now and is doing everything he should.

I worried myself sick during his first few months even after the physio HV and GP said he was fine. No palmer grasp reflex just didn't sit right with me, I was convinced he had CP. Little back story my older two have Hunter syndrome and this baby was conceived via IVF PGD so we were desperate for a healthy baby.

Hes sat & crawled age appropriately. He's cruising on his walker and has just started babbling these last two weeks, up untill then all he did was squeele and blow Raspberries. He is aware and knows the difference between say a duck and a lion a car or a ball etc.. and says duuuh for duck appropriately

Aslong as your baby is doing everything else age appropriately, I would completely forget about the grasp reflex from my experience. It made me and my partner ill and depressed thinking it meant something serious. I wasted so many of those precious new days/months worrying. I'm kicking myself now.

Though I no how worrying it is and it can consume you. Google has a lot to answer. I was seeing problems that wernt even there.

Happy to answer any more questions.

Gosh I'd completely forgotten about this thread! My girl is nearly three now and completely fine. I've since had a second baby who also had a weak grasp reflex, a d at just turned one she's completely fine too.

Thanks for getting back to me
and making it peace of mind for me and for giving such a detailed answer
other than this she is doing everything okay
yeah one thing I also noticed is that she is using right arm more during her time otherwise while lying on back she is using both arms and equally ..
thanks