When Do Babies Start Grabbing Objects?

4 min read

Written by Sindhuja Prabhu

Sindhuja Prabhu

M.Sc (Psychology),PGDBM

Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.

When Do Babies Start Grabbing Objects

Did you know many newborn babies grip their mother’s finger, the IV line or just about anything that touches their hand? It is a reflex they are born with. As they grow, their grip gets stronger. When you carry them, they can go straight for a big chunk of hair too. So, when do babies start grabbing objects intentionally or out of their own will?

To intentionally grab something they want, they need to develop hand and eye coordination first. Only then can they reach for it and get a good hold of it. Have you noticed how even small babies as young as 4 months start reaching for things, showing us exactly what they want? Read the article to know more about when and how babies start grabbing objects.

In This Article

At What Age Do Babies Start Grabbing Objects?
List of Fun Ways to Help Your Babies to Grab Things
Baby Not Grabbing – When to Start Worrying?
FAQ’s

At What Age Do Babies Start Grabbing Objects?

Each baby reaches its milestones in its own time. Here is what you can expect.

By 4 Months

Your baby’s brain can send signals to various parts of the body. They start developing their hand-eye coordination at this stage. Try giving them something and they will reach for it. Once they grab it, some babies can hold it for a few seconds until they drop it.

Over time, your baby will be able to hold the object and even put it into their mouth. However, since they don’t have full control, they may hit themselves with it. So, keep a close watch and give soft items to avoid any accidents.

By 6 Months

The coordination and grip get better. If you hold something within their reach, they will try to reach for it with focus and many babies will succeed. If you leave toys scattered around, they will roll over and try to grab the items.

Some babies will start passing the item from one hand to another. This can be a great time to start giving and taking things from them. They will improve their coordination and grip this way.

By 9 Months

Your baby can grab a piece of food and put it into their mouth. The hand-eye coordination is much better. However, they can start mouthing everything at this stage, so you need to watch them at all times. Baby mouthing can be a source of infections and illnesses and parents and caregivers must be extra careful during this period.

Babies start taking and dropping things at this stage. They enjoy the way things clatter to the ground. Some babies even start developing their pincer grip (gripping with the index finger and the thumb).

By 12 Months

The hand-eye coordination is almost fully developed. They can consciously take food to their mouths, give you items, take things from your hand and place them where you point. You can start playing this way to improve their understanding and coordination skills.

[Read : Development Of Hand-eye Coordination In Babies]

List of Fun Ways to Help Your Babies to Grab Things

baby grabbing toy from play gym

Do you want to help your baby improve their hand-eye coordination and grip?

Here are a few fun ways to help them get a better hold:

Give them your finger. This is the easiest and simply their favorite. You can move it, wiggle it out of their grip, and even let them do anything with it. You can do this while feeding, at playtime or during those endless cuddle sessions.
Roll a ball towards them during tummy time. They will try to reach for it and it will strengthen their upper body too.
Give them a toy they can hold well and try to take it from them. The more you pull, the more they will tighten their grip.
Move things in front of their eyes, within their reach. Use safe, soft-edged items that won’t hurt your baby.
Hang something above their heads. As they get better at reaching for it, you can add more items or increase the height.
Spread out their favorite toys around them. Ensure they are just out of reach, if it is too far, babies lose interest.

[Read : 8 Ways Toys Can Help Your Baby Learn]

Baby Not Grabbing – When to Start Worrying?

worried mom with doctor

All babies are different, and some just need a little more time than others. So, when should you start worrying?

If your baby is not able to grab things or hold anything you give them, by month 6, you should let your pediatrician know during your next visit. It does not necessarily mean your baby is having a developmental delay. The doctor will observe and check. If they suspect a development delay, they will advise on a treatment plan.

Babies are learning and developing new skills daily. While some babies are on track with the expected milestones, some take their time. Just be patient and give your baby the time and help they need.

FAQ’s

1. When Will My Baby Develop the Pincer Grip?

Babies will develop their pincer grip any time after the 9 or 10th-month mark. Some babies might develop it only after they turn a year old.

2. Should My 6-Month Old Grab Toys?

Ideally yes. Babies start reaching for and grabbing toys around month 6. However, some babies take time, so don’t panic unnecessarily.

3. Why is My 5-Month Old Not Grabbing Anything?

Different babies reach milestones at different times. It could be a few weeks early or a few weeks late. If you feel your baby is very late, check with your doctor instead of panicking.