Move that coffee cup out of reach! It will not take long until your baby grabs things within their sight. Like all aspects of early child development, learning to reach and grasp is a skill that emerges gradually as mini milestones are achieved. But you may wonder when babies start grabbing things.
Reaching and grabbing are essential skills because they allow babies to explore their world more closely, bringing objects to their eyes and into their mouths. In this article, a pediatric occupational therapist explains when babies typically begin grabbing things and how these early grasping skills develop.
When Do Babies Start Grabbing Things?
You may think, “My baby was grabbing and holding my finger the day she was born!” This is the grasping reflex, also known as the palmar grasp reflex. When newborns feel pressure in the palm of their hand, they automatically close their fingers around the object and grasp it. This is one of the newborn reflexes that helps babies survive, as it enables them to hold on and remain stationary and safe.1
As newborns, babies do not know they are grasping. They do not do it intentionally, and they cannot release their fingers intentionally. To let go, the reflex has to release, or another reflex must take over. Around 4 to 6 months, this reflex begins to integrate or disappear, and purposeful grasp and release can now occur. When babies have a purposeful release, they can pass a toy from one hand to the other or put one toy down to pick up another.
Purposeful Grasping Begins Around Four Months
Around 4 months old, you will notice your baby grasping with the pinkie side of their hand, as they have better control over those fingers. Around 5 months old, they have better control over grasping in the center of their hand. Around six months, babies begin to use their thumbs to help them hold onto objects, giving them even more control.2
At the same time, babies’ vision is becoming more acute. While vision continues to develop and refine until well after the child’s fifth birthday, the first year is a critical period for visual development. When babies are born, they can best see about eight to 12 inches from their face, so their world is very close to them. Anything beyond that is slightly out of focus.3
Babies can best see black, white, red, and shades of gray at birth. The rods and cones in their eyes are not yet fully formed, so they cannot see the full spectrum of colors that will become visible throughout the first six months. This is why babies prefer to look at their parents’ faces. They are usually in the perfect range while holding a baby, and babies can see the difference in colors of features and hairlines. Around 6 months old, babies begin to develop depth perception, so it is essential to provide them with numerous opportunities to experience viewing objects at varying depths. It is helpful to get outside or look out the window so babies can practice this skill.3
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I reassure parents that early grasp patterns vary widely and usually fall within a healthy developmental range.
Related: Baby Vision Development by Age: Newborn to Infant
Dexterity and Vision Improve Around Six Months
A magical thing happens around four to six months! Vision skills are refined, and babies can see all the interesting objects around them. Their dexterity skills also emerge, allowing them to bring these fascinating objects closer for further study. Babies at this age learn a great deal about their world by putting things into their mouths. In general, lips, tongues, and the mouth have a lot of nerve endings, and babies learn through their senses. Tasting objects and feeling the shape and texture of the tongue is a great way to learn about the world.5
Right around six months, babies begin to be able to pick up objects on their own, using a raking motion. It is great to encourage this, as it strengthens the muscles inside the hand.
Radial Digital Grasp Begins Around Eight Months
Around 8 months old, babies develop a radial digital grasp, which allows them to pick up objects between their thumb, index finger, and middle finger. This evolves into a pincer grasp, where babies can pick up smaller things with their thumb and index finger. Think Cheerios on the highchair tray. This is when we need to start being vigilant of choking hazards, as a penny or bead can go from the floor into a baby’s mouth in the blink of an eye!
How to Encourage Your Baby to Start Grabbing Things
Here are therapist-recommended ways to support your baby’s early reaching and grasping skills.4
- Start early and allow interesting toys within the babies’ view to encourage them to reach and grab.
- Avoid using mittens and folding sleeves over babies’ hands, as this can prevent them from exploring by blocking their hands from reaching their mouths and moving their fingers around.
- Allow tummy time. Babies can bring their hands into their line of vision and start to bear weight through their hands, building strength in their hands and arms.
- Before babies can pick up toys independently, place soft sensory toys in their hands and allow them to explore the textures.
- To encourage interest, provide exciting toys with a variety of colors, textures, and interactive components.
- Avoid electronic toys, as they do not encourage as much interaction with hands.
- Provide board books and cloth books, and teach your baby how to turn the pages.
Occupational therapists often use these same strategies during early intervention to strengthen fine motor skills and support sensory development.
This is just the beginning of your baby reaching and grabbing for things (mostly things they should not have!). Soon, they will be holding crayons, coloring, writing their name, and picking flowers for you.
Remember that every baby develops these skills at their own pace, so do not worry if they are not reaching and grabbing exactly on this schedule. If you ever have concerns about their fine motor progress, a pediatric occupational therapist or pediatrician can help guide you.
