Getting to know your newborn means adjusting to the way they begin to take in the world. In the first few weeks of your baby’s life, you may notice that they seem tense. Their fists are clenched, with arms bent and legs held close to their body. This typically isn't anything to worry about — it's the natural fetal position they've been used to in the womb.
But you may start to wonder why your baby clenches their hands so much. Beyond it being a natural reflex, those little fists could also be an indication of something else.
Understanding Your Newborn
It’s a big, scary world for your baby, full of new sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. 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:
- Sucking: This innate reflex helps your baby to instinctively know how to nurse or take a bottle after birth.
- Grasping: If you touch the palm of your baby’s hand, they will automatically hold on to your finger.
- 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.
At first, your baby can't control these reflexes and will react instinctively. Soon, though, you'll notice these behaviors less and less as more controlled responses become prominent.
Your baby's body is also functioning independently for the first time after relying on you in the womb. Because of this, they will sleep a lot in the early weeks as their body regulates its systems and begins to work independently. Eventually, your baby will begin to stay awake for longer stretches during the day.
Why Do They Clench Their Hands?
Before your baby learns to talk, they communicate with you using their body language. Clenched fists are one way your baby tells you they're hungry. Of course, you may be more familiar with the loud, frantic cries that come when they're ready for a meal. But if you pay attention, you'll notice your baby's fists will become tighter as they near the state of being hungry.
As your baby nurses or takes a bottle, their hands will slowly release that tight grip and become more relaxed until they're full.
Other Reasons for Clenched Fists
If your baby keeps their fists clenched tightly all the time, it may be a sign of cerebral palsy. 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.
Other signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Weakness
- Poor muscle control
- Slow reflexes
- Stiff legs and arms
How to Encourage Your Baby to Relax Their Hands
Some children may clench their fists longer than others. If this happens, there are some ways you can help teach your baby to loosen their grasp and relax:
Massage their hands. Apply pressure to your baby’s palm using your thumb and gently massage in circles from the center outward. By slowly moving outward, you can encourage them to open their fingers by themselves without force.
Use touch. Once your baby’s hand is open, introduce them to new sensations of touch. By showing them how things feel on their hand, you can “wake up” their nerves and muscles. You can use carpet, soft toys, and objects with different textures. You may also try something that is warm or cool — just not too hot or cold.
Apply pressure. 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 can also put them on their hands and knees to see if they can balance in that position.
Teach grasping. If you offer enticing toys to your baby, they may open their hand to take the toy. Try to choose toys of varying sizes so that your baby learns to adjust their grasp to hold each one. This activity helps stretch and strengthen the muscles in their hands.
Play give and take. Once you practice handing toys to your baby, add another step. Ask them to hand that toy back to you. If they won’t let go, gently move their wrists back to encourage them to open their hand. Don't force it, though. Use a simple command like, “Give me your ______,” and soon your baby will understand the game.
