Delayed Pincer Grasp Development
The short answer
The pincer grasp - using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects - typically develops between 8 and 12 months. Before this, babies use a raking motion or whole-hand grasp, which is perfectly normal. Every baby develops this skill at their own pace, and some take until closer to 12 months to master it.
By Age
What to expect by age
At this age, babies typically use a palmar or raking grasp to pick up objects, sweeping items toward themselves with their whole hand. They cannot yet isolate their thumb and index finger, and this is completely expected. You might notice your baby trying to grab small objects but struggling because their whole hand closes around everything. This is a necessary stage before the pincer grasp develops.
Many babies begin to develop an inferior pincer grasp during this period, using the pads of their thumb and index finger rather than the tips. You may see your baby picking up small foods like puffs using a somewhat clumsy pinching motion. Some babies are still using a raking grasp at 9 months, and this is within the range of normal. Offering small, safe finger foods gives your baby lots of practice.
This is the typical window for the neat pincer grasp to fully develop, where babies use the tips of their thumb and index finger to neatly pick up small items. By 12 months, most babies can pick up small foods, bits of string, or tiny toys with precision. If your baby is still primarily raking at 12 months and cannot isolate their thumb and finger at all, mention this to your pediatrician.
By this age, the pincer grasp should be well established and your toddler should be using it to self-feed, pick up small objects, and explore textures. If your toddler still cannot pick up small items using their thumb and index finger, or consistently avoids using their fingers for fine motor tasks, a fine motor evaluation may be helpful. Occupational therapy can work wonders for building these skills.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 9 months and using a raking or whole-hand grasp instead of a pincer grasp, as this skill is still developing.
- Your baby can pick up larger objects easily but struggles with very small items like individual cereal pieces.
- Your baby uses an immature pincer grasp with the pads of their fingers rather than the fingertips, which is an early stage of this skill.
- Your baby picks up small items with one hand more skillfully than the other, as slight differences between hands are normal.
- Your baby is 12 months old and still cannot pick up any small objects using their thumb and finger.
- Your baby avoids fine motor activities altogether and shows no interest in picking up small items or finger foods.
- Your baby seems to have difficulty isolating individual finger movements and keeps their hand in a fist when trying to grasp small things.
- Your baby previously had a pincer grasp and has lost the ability to pick up small objects, as any regression in motor skills requires urgent evaluation.
- Your baby has no grasp at all by 12 months and also shows delays in other areas of development.
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Curls Their Toes
Toe curling is very common in babies and is usually caused by the plantar grasp reflex, which is a normal newborn reflex that causes toes to curl when the sole of the foot is touched. This reflex typically fades by 9-12 months. Occasional toe curling during standing or walking is also normal as babies figure out their balance. Persistent, tight toe curling past 12 months may warrant a mention to your pediatrician.
My Baby Favors One Leg
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
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Baby Not Bearing Weight on Arms
Bearing weight on the arms is a gradual skill that develops during the first 6 months. Babies first prop up on their forearms around 2 to 4 months, then progress to pushing up on extended arms by 5 to 6 months. Regular tummy time is the best way to build this strength, even if your baby protests at first.