My Baby Can't Pick Up Small Objects
The short answer
The pincer grasp, using the thumb and forefinger to pick up small objects, typically develops between 8 and 12 months. Before that, babies use a raking or whole-hand scooping motion, which is perfectly normal. If your baby is not showing any pincer grasp by 12 months, it is worth mentioning to your pediatrician, but many babies are simply on the later end of the normal range.
By Age
What to expect by age
At this age, babies are just learning to grasp objects using their whole hand (palmar grasp). They will rake at objects on a surface, scooping them toward themselves with all their fingers. Picking up small objects with fingers is not expected yet. Giving your baby age-appropriate toys of different sizes and textures helps develop their grasping skills.
The transition from a raking or whole-hand grasp to a more refined grasp is underway. Many babies develop an "inferior pincer grasp" first, using the pads of their thumb and forefinger rather than the tips. Your baby may be able to pick up larger pieces of food or toys but still struggle with very small items like individual cereal pieces. This is a skill that develops with practice. Offering safe finger foods during meals is a great way to encourage this development.
Most babies develop a true pincer grasp during this period, allowing them to pick up small items between the tips of their thumb and forefinger. If your baby is still only raking at small objects by 12 months and cannot isolate their thumb and finger to pick things up, mention it at your 12-month well visit. Your pediatrician may recommend an occupational therapy evaluation to help with fine motor development.
By 12-15 months, the pincer grasp should be well-established, and your toddler should be able to pick up small foods, turn pages of a board book, and place objects in containers. If your child cannot pick up small objects at all by 15 months, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify whether there is a fine motor delay and provide targeted activities to build these skills. Early intervention for fine motor skills is very effective.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby under 8 months uses a raking or whole-hand grasp, as the pincer grasp has not developed yet.
- Your 8-10 month old is using an inferior pincer grasp (pads of thumb and finger) and is still refining the skill.
- Your baby picks up larger objects easily but struggles with very small items, as precision develops gradually.
- Your baby sometimes uses a pincer grasp and sometimes rakes, as they are still learning and both approaches are normal during the transition.
- Your baby is 12 months or older and shows no pincer grasp at all, only raking at small objects.
- Your baby avoids picking up small items and seems to have difficulty isolating their fingers for grasping.
- Your baby has difficulty with other fine motor tasks alongside the delayed pincer grasp, such as self-feeding or banging toys together.
- Your baby was previously picking up small objects and has lost this ability, as regression in fine motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
- Your baby cannot grasp objects of any size by 6 months and shows no reaching or grasping behavior.
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.