My Baby Has Difficulty Using Both Hands Together
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about has difficulty using both hands together, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Bilateral coordination (using both hands together) develops gradually. Babies begin bringing hands to midline around 3-4 months and use both hands together for tasks like holding a bottle or banging objects by 7-9 months. If your baby consistently avoids using both hands together by 9-10 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- Bilateral coordination (using both hands together) develops gradually. Babies begin bringing hands to midline around 3-4 months and use both hands together for tasks like holding a bottle or banging objects by 7-9 months. If your baby consistently avoids using both hands together by 9-10 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 6 months and just beginning to use both hands.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has lost use of one hand.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, bilateral coordination (using both hands together) develops gradually. Babies begin bringing hands to midline around 3-4 months and use both hands together for tasks like holding a bottle or banging objects by 7-9 months. If your baby consistently avoids using both hands together by 9-10 months, mention it to your pediatrician. At 0-3 months, hands are often fisted and movements are not yet coordinated. Bringing hands to midline begins around 3 months. One-handed reaching is normal at this age. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 6 months and just beginning to use both hands. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has lost use of one hand.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Hands are often fisted and movements are not yet coordinated. Bringing hands to midline begins around 3 months. One-handed reaching is normal at this age.
3-6 months
Your baby should start bringing hands together at midline, grasping with both hands, and transferring objects from one hand to the other. If your baby does not bring hands to midline by 5 months, mention it to your doctor.
6-9 months
Bilateral hand use should be emerging clearly - holding a toy in one hand while reaching with the other, banging objects together, and clapping. If your baby only uses one hand and ignores the other, evaluation is recommended.
9-12 months
Complex bilateral hand tasks like pulling apart toys, holding a container while putting objects in, and feeding with one hand while stabilizing with the other should be developing. Persistent one-handed play warrants evaluation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has difficulty using both hands together and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 9 months and consistently ignores one hand.
- Mention if your baby cannot bring hands to midline by 5 months.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 6 months and just beginning to use both hands.
- Your baby uses both hands but prefers one for certain tasks.
- Your baby is developing bilateral skills progressively.
- Your baby can bring hands to midline and clasp them together.
- Your baby is over 9 months and consistently ignores one hand.
- Your baby cannot bring hands to midline by 5 months.
- Your baby never uses both hands together for play.
- Your baby has lost use of one hand.
- Your baby's hand function is declining on one or both sides.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has difficulty using both hands together — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 6 months and just beginning to use both hands — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby has lost use of one hand.
Related Conditions
Baby Not Bringing Hands to Midline
Bringing hands to midline - the center of the body - is an important early motor milestone that typically develops between 3 and 4 months. Before this, babies tend to keep their hands to their sides or near their face. Once midline play develops, you will see your baby clasping their hands together, reaching for toys with both hands, and bringing objects to their mouth. This skill lays the foundation for many later abilities like transferring objects between hands and self-feeding.
Baby Not Using One Arm or Hand
If your baby consistently avoids using one arm or hand, it deserves evaluation. Before 18 months, babies should use both hands roughly equally - strong hand preference before this age can indicate a concern with the less-used side. Possible causes include brachial plexus injury (Erb's palsy) from birth, nursemaid's elbow, fracture, or neurological differences. Early identification leads to better outcomes with therapy.
My Baby Doesn't Cross Their Body Midline
Crossing the midline means reaching across the center of the body with one hand to the opposite side. This skill typically develops around 8-12 months and becomes more consistent by 18 months. If your baby always uses the closest hand rather than reaching across, it may indicate developmental delays in bilateral integration.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is has difficulty using both hands together normal?
When should I call the doctor about has difficulty using both hands together?
When is has difficulty using both hands together normal?
What causes has difficulty using both hands together?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has difficulty using both hands together?
Is has difficulty using both hands together normal at 0-3 months?
Is has difficulty using both hands together normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for has difficulty using both hands together?
Does has difficulty using both hands together go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has Difficulty Using Both Hands Together.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has difficulty using both hands together and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 9 months and consistently ignores one hand.
- Mention if your baby cannot bring hands to midline by 5 months.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 9 months and consistently ignores one hand.
- Your baby cannot bring hands to midline by 5 months.
- Your baby never uses both hands together for play.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has lost use of one hand.
- Your baby's hand function is declining on one or both sides.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has difficulty using both hands together are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has lost use of one hand.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
Baby Not Bringing Hands to Midline
Bringing hands to midline - the center of the body - is an important early motor milestone that typically develops between 3 and 4 months. Before this, babies tend to keep their hands to their sides or near their face. Once midline play develops, you will see your baby clasping their hands together, reaching for toys with both hands, and bringing objects to their mouth. This skill lays the foundation for many later abilities like transferring objects between hands and self-feeding.
Baby Not Using One Arm or Hand
If your baby consistently avoids using one arm or hand, it deserves evaluation. Before 18 months, babies should use both hands roughly equally - strong hand preference before this age can indicate a concern with the less-used side. Possible causes include brachial plexus injury (Erb's palsy) from birth, nursemaid's elbow, fracture, or neurological differences. Early identification leads to better outcomes with therapy.
My Baby Doesn't Cross Their Body Midline
Crossing the midline means reaching across the center of the body with one hand to the opposite side. This skill typically develops around 8-12 months and becomes more consistent by 18 months. If your baby always uses the closest hand rather than reaching across, it may indicate developmental delays in bilateral integration.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.