If your baby is lying on their stomach or sitting up, plant their hands in front of them and encourage them to place weight on them. You may also try something that is warm or cool - just not too hot or cold.Īpply pressure. You can use carpet, soft toys, and objects with different textures. By showing them how things feel on their hand, you can “wake up” their nerves and muscles. Once your baby’s hand is open, introduce them to new sensations of touch. By slowly moving outward, you can encourage them to open their fingers by themselves without force. Apply pressure to your baby’s palm using your thumb and gently massage in circles from the center outward. If this happens, there are some ways you can help teach your baby to loosen their grasp and relax: Some children may clench their fists longer than others.
CLOSED HANDS REFERENCE HOW TO
How to Encourage Your Baby to Relax Their Hands In this condition, a part of the brain that controls motor function is damaged, affecting a child’s ability to move their body, including muscle control, posture, coordination, reflexes, and balance. If your baby keeps their fists clenched tightly all the time, it may be a sign of cerebral palsy. But if you pay attention, you'll notice your baby's fists will become tighter as they near the state of being hungry.Īs your baby nurses or takes a bottle, their hands will slowly release that tight grip and become more relaxed until they're full. Of course, you may be more familiar with the loud, frantic cries that come when they're ready for a meal. Clenched fists are one way your baby tells you they're hungry. Why Do They Clench Their Hands?īefore your baby learns to talk, they communicate with you using their body language. Eventually, your baby will begin to stay awake for longer stretches during the day.
Because of this, they will sleep a lot in the early weeks as their body regulates its systems and begins to work independently. Your baby's body is also functioning independently for the first time after relying on you in the womb. Soon, though, you'll notice these behaviors less and less as more controlled responses become prominent. Being startled: If your baby is surprised by something, they may instantly tense up, throw out their arms and legs, and tilt their head back.Īt first, your baby can't control these reflexes and will react instinctively.Grasping: If you touch the palm of your baby’s hand, they will automatically hold on to your finger.Sucking: This innate reflex helps your baby to instinctively know how to nurse or take a bottle after birth.As they adjust to life on the outside, their posture will slowly start to relax, but you may still see some newborn behaviors that hang around a little longer, like:
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It’s a big, scary world for your baby, full of new sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. Beyond it being a natural reflex, those little fists could also be an indication of something else. This typically isn't anything to worry about - it's the natural fetal position they've been used to in the womb.īut you may start to wonder why your baby clenches their hands so much. Their fists are clenched, with arms bent and legs held close to their body. In the first few weeks of your baby’s life, you may notice that they seem tense.
Getting to know your newborn means adjusting to the way they begin to take in the world.
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