Your Brilliant Baby in Week 3: A Discerning Sense of Touch

Providing opportunities for your newborn to hold different toys and everyday objects is a great way to let her safely explore the world around her. When the palmar grasp is working, it's up to you to place various objects in your baby's palm. You can actually try the experiment above for yourself: See if your baby explores an object longer with her tiny fingers when it's new and different rather than when it's familiar.

Once the palmar reflex disappears, your child will—all on her own—pick up and hold objects she can reach, then stick them in her mouth. This, of course, is the time when parents need to be vigilant about looking for objects that are small enough to swallow and choke on, keeping them safely out of baby's reach. While you'll likely be relieved when this touching-and-tasting phase passes (it peaks at about seven months, FYI), this period is crucial for your child's initial learning about how various objects feel and taste.

Your Week 3 Toolbox

Related skills and topics this week include …What Is the Grasping Reflex?

• What's happening in Baby's first month?
• Use our Development Tracker to check off your child's 0-3 month milestones.
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.