grasp reflex, which causes a newborn to tightly close the fingers when pressure is applied to the inside of the infant's hand by a finger or other object.sucking reflex, which triggers an infant to forcibly suck on any object put in the mouth.Infants are born with a number of instinctual responses to stimuli, such as light or touch, known as primitive reflexes, which gradually disappear as the baby matures. Infants who are born prematurely may display several differences in their posture, appearance, activity, and behavior compared with full-term newborns. This position is similar to the fetal position during the last months of pregnancy. Postureĭuring the first several weeks, you'll notice that much of the time your baby will tend to keep his or her fists clenched, elbows bent, hips and knees flexed, and arms and legs held close to the front of his or her body. And it's OK if circumstances prevent you from meeting your infant right away - you'll have plenty of quality time together soon. It's a great time for you and your newborn to get acquainted and begin the bonding process. In most cases, infants seem to be in a state of quiet alertness during the first hour or so after delivery. Following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you should be able to hold your baby within minutes. When you'll get to first see and touch your newborn may depend on the type of delivery, your condition, and the condition of your baby. Then in most deliveries, they're pushed through a narrow, bone-walled birth canal. After all, babies develop while immersed in fluid, folded up in an increasingly cramped space inside the uterus.
The features that may make a normal newborn look strange are temporary. Instead of the picture-perfect cherub, babies often look bluish, are covered with blood and cream-cheesy glop, and look like they've just been in a fist-fight. When their little one comes into the world, new parents might be surprised by their baby's appearance.