Which reflex causes a newborn to grasp tightly any object that touches the palm or fingers?

• A. Grasping Reflex
• B. Rooting Reflex
• C. Sucking Reflex
• D. Babinski Reflex

Answer: (A)

Newborns show automatic reactions to touch as the nervous system develops. The grasping reflex is elicited when something touches the palm or fingers, and the infant’s fingers curl tightly around the object, producing a firm grip. This palmar grasp reflex is present at birth and helps the baby grasp objects or a caregiver, but it fades as voluntary hand control emerges, typically by about 5–6 months. Other reflexes include rooting (turning toward touch on the cheek and searching for a nipple), sucking (sucking when the lips or mouth are touched), and the Babinski reflex (toes fan and the big toe lifts when the sole is stroked), which are distinct from the palm-triggered grasp reflex.