Delayed Pincer Grasp Development
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about delayed pincer grasp development, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: 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.
- Call your doctor if: 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.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, 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. At 5-7 months, 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. It is generally considered normal when 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. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if 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.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
5-7 months
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.
7-9 months
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.
9-12 months
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.
12-18 months
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed delayed pincer grasp development 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 12 months old and still cannot pick up any small objects using their thumb and finger.
- Mention if your baby avoids fine motor activities altogether and shows no interest in picking up small items or finger foods.
- 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 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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice delayed pincer grasp development — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that 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 — 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 previously had a pincer grasp and has lost the ability to pick up small objects, as any regression in motor skills requires urgent evaluation.
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 delayed pincer grasp development normal?
When should I call the doctor about delayed pincer grasp development?
When is delayed pincer grasp development normal?
What causes delayed pincer grasp development?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about delayed pincer grasp development?
Is delayed pincer grasp development normal at 5-7 months?
Is delayed pincer grasp development normal at 7-9 months?
Should I go to the ER for delayed pincer grasp development?
Does delayed pincer grasp development go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Delayed Pincer Grasp Development.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed delayed pincer grasp development 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 12 months old and still cannot pick up any small objects using their thumb and finger.
- Mention if your baby avoids fine motor activities altogether and shows no interest in picking up small items or finger foods.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- 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.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- 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.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of delayed pincer grasp development are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if 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.
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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