My Baby Isn't Banging Toys 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 isn't banging toys together, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Banging two objects together at midline is a milestone that typically develops around 7-10 months. It shows that your baby can use both hands together and coordinate movements at the midline of their body. If your baby is not banging objects together by 10-11 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- Banging two objects together at midline is a milestone that typically develops around 7-10 months. It shows that your baby can use both hands together and coordinate movements at the midline of their body. If your baby is not banging objects together by 10-11 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 9 months and holds objects in both hands.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, banging two objects together at midline is a milestone that typically develops around 7-10 months. It shows that your baby can use both hands together and coordinate movements at the midline of their body. If your baby is not banging objects together by 10-11 months, mention it to your pediatrician. At 5-7 months, your baby may be holding objects in both hands but has not yet figured out how to bring them together purposefully. They may accidentally hit toys together. This is the beginning of bilateral hand coordination and is completely age-appropriate. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 9 months and holds objects in both hands. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
5-7 months
Your baby may be holding objects in both hands but has not yet figured out how to bring them together purposefully. They may accidentally hit toys together. This is the beginning of bilateral hand coordination and is completely age-appropriate.
7-9 months
Most babies begin intentionally banging objects together during this period. They love the noise and the cause-and-effect relationship. If your baby is not doing this yet but is holding objects in both hands, the skill will likely emerge soon.
9-11 months
Banging objects together should be well established by now. If your baby is not doing this, observe whether they bring their hands to midline and use both hands together during other activities. If bilateral hand use seems limited overall, discuss with your pediatrician.
11-14 months
If your baby still does not bang toys together, evaluation of fine motor and bilateral coordination skills may be helpful. An occupational therapist can assess hand function and coordination.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't banging toys 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 10 months and never bangs objects together.
- Mention if your baby does not bring hands to midline.
- 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 9 months and holds objects in both hands.
- Your baby bangs objects on surfaces but not together yet.
- Your baby occasionally brings objects together at midline.
- Your baby is developing other hand skills on track.
- Your baby is over 10 months and never bangs objects together.
- Your baby does not bring hands to midline.
- Your baby seems to avoid using both hands together.
- Your baby has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Your baby cannot bring hands to midline at all after 5 months.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't banging toys together — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 9 months and holds objects in both hands — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 5-7 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 the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
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.
My Baby Has Difficulty Using Both Hands Together
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.
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
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 isn't banging toys together normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't banging toys together?
When is isn't banging toys together normal?
What causes isn't banging toys together?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't banging toys together?
Is isn't banging toys together normal at 5-7 months?
Is isn't banging toys together normal at 7-9 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't banging toys together?
Does isn't banging toys together go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Banging Toys Together.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't banging toys 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 10 months and never bangs objects together.
- Mention if your baby does not bring hands to midline.
- 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 10 months and never bangs objects together.
- Your baby does not bring hands to midline.
- Your baby seems to avoid using both hands together.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Your baby cannot bring hands to midline at all after 5 months.
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 isn't banging toys together are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
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.
My Baby Has Difficulty Using Both Hands Together
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.
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
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.