My Baby Prefers One Hand Too Early
The short answer
True hand preference should not develop until at least 18 months to 2 years of age. If your baby consistently uses only one hand and ignores or avoids using the other before 18 months, it may indicate that the less-used hand or arm has reduced strength or coordination. This is different from a slight preference and is worth discussing with your pediatrician.
By Age
What to expect by age
At this age, babies should use both hands fairly equally, though movements are still developing and may look uncoordinated. Watch for whether your baby opens both hands from a fisted position, bats at objects with both hands, and brings both hands to their mouth. If one hand remains tightly fisted while the other opens freely, or if your baby only reaches and bats with one arm, this is a significant observation to share with your pediatrician.
Babies should be actively reaching, grasping, and transferring objects between both hands. It is normal for a baby to sometimes prefer one hand for a particular task, but they should be capable and willing to use both. If your baby consistently avoids using one hand, always reaches across their body to use the preferred hand, or one hand seems much weaker or clumsier, evaluation is recommended.
Babies are refining their fine motor skills, developing the pincer grasp, and using their hands for self-feeding and play. A slight hand preference may emerge and is normal, but the key question is whether your baby can effectively use both hands. If one hand is clearly weaker, if your baby avoids using it even when objects are placed on that side, or if one hand moves differently than the other, discuss this with your pediatrician.
A mild hand preference is becoming more acceptable at this age, as true handedness can begin to emerge after 18 months. However, one hand should not be dramatically dominant over the other. Your child should still use both hands for activities like stacking blocks, holding food, and clapping. If one hand is clearly the "strong" hand and the other seems to just assist or is avoided, an occupational therapy evaluation may be beneficial.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby uses one hand slightly more often but can and does use both hands effectively for grasping and play.
- Your toddler over 18 months is developing a natural hand preference but can still use both hands well.
- Your baby alternates which hand they prefer depending on which side the object is on.
- Your baby uses both hands together for activities like clapping, holding a bottle, and banging toys.
- Your baby under 12 months strongly favors one hand and rarely uses the other for reaching or grasping.
- One hand seems weaker or less coordinated, dropping objects more or having difficulty grasping.
- Your baby avoids using one hand even when you deliberately place toys on that side.
- Your baby previously used both hands equally and has stopped using one hand, as loss of function requires urgent evaluation.
- One hand is consistently fisted and cannot open to grasp while the other hand works normally, particularly after 4 months of age.
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
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
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.