My Baby Isn't Transferring Objects Between Hands
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about isn't transferring objects between hands, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Transferring objects from one hand to the other typically develops between 5 and 7 months. This is an important fine motor milestone that shows your baby can coordinate both sides of their body and cross the midline. Like all milestones, it develops gradually - your baby may fumble and drop the object many times before the transfer becomes smooth.
Key takeaways
- Transferring objects from one hand to the other typically develops between 5 and 7 months. This is an important fine motor milestone that shows your baby can coordinate both sides of their body and cross the midline. Like all milestones, it develops gradually - your baby may fumble and drop the object many times before the transfer becomes smooth.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 6 months and holds objects but doesn't transfer them yet - this skill is still developing.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP guidelines, transferring objects from one hand to the other typically develops between 5 and 7 months. This is an important fine motor milestone that shows your baby can coordinate both sides of their body and cross the midline. Like all milestones, it develops gradually - your baby may fumble and drop the object many times before the transfer becomes smooth. At 3-5 months, most babies are holding objects placed in their hand but aren't transferring yet. You might see your baby hold a toy in one hand and look at their other hand, or bring both hands together on an object. These are precursor skills. Your baby is building the neural connections needed for hand-to-hand transfer. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 6 months and holds objects but doesn't transfer them yet - this skill is still developing. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
3-5 months
Most babies are holding objects placed in their hand but aren't transferring yet. You might see your baby hold a toy in one hand and look at their other hand, or bring both hands together on an object. These are precursor skills. Your baby is building the neural connections needed for hand-to-hand transfer.
5-7 months
This is when most babies start transferring objects between hands. It often begins accidentally - your baby reaches for a toy with both hands and ends up moving it from one to the other. Over time, it becomes more deliberate. Offering toys at the midline (center of their body) gives them natural opportunities to practice.
7-9 months
By 7-9 months, most babies transfer objects smoothly and intentionally. If your baby isn't doing this at all by 9 months, mention it to your pediatrician. They'll want to make sure there isn't a strength or coordination difference between the two sides of the body. Often, simple activities and play suggestions can encourage this skill.
10+ months
If your baby still isn't transferring objects between hands by 10 months, an evaluation is recommended. Your pediatrician may check for any asymmetry in muscle tone or movement between the two sides and may refer to an occupational therapist. These skills respond very well to targeted therapy activities.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't transferring objects between hands 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 uses only one hand while ignoring the other.
- Mention if your baby can't seem to open one hand to accept an object from the other hand.
- 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 holds objects but doesn't transfer them yet - this skill is still developing.
- Your baby sometimes transfers and sometimes drops the object during the attempt - coordination is still refining.
- Your baby brings both hands together on objects at midline even if they don't formally "transfer" yet.
- Your baby was premature - use adjusted age for fine motor milestones.
- Your baby is over 9 months and consistently uses only one hand while ignoring the other.
- Your baby can't seem to open one hand to accept an object from the other hand.
- You notice a clear difference in how well your baby moves or uses their right versus left hand.
- Your baby isn't bringing hands together at midline by 5-6 months.
- Your baby was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- One of your baby's hands is consistently fisted while the other moves freely, especially after 4 months.
- Your baby has no use of one arm or hand - this requires immediate medical evaluation.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't transferring objects between hands — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 6 months and holds objects but doesn't transfer them yet - this skill is still developing — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 3-5 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 was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt 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 isn't transferring objects between hands normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't transferring objects between hands?
When is isn't transferring objects between hands normal?
What causes isn't transferring objects between hands?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't transferring objects between hands?
Is isn't transferring objects between hands normal at 3-5 months?
Is isn't transferring objects between hands normal at 5-7 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't transferring objects between hands?
Does isn't transferring objects between hands go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Transferring Objects Between Hands.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't transferring objects between hands 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 uses only one hand while ignoring the other.
- Mention if your baby can't seem to open one hand to accept an object from the other hand.
- 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 uses only one hand while ignoring the other.
- Your baby can't seem to open one hand to accept an object from the other hand.
- You notice a clear difference in how well your baby moves or uses their right versus left hand.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- One of your baby's hands is consistently fisted while the other moves freely, especially after 4 months.
- Your baby has no use of one arm or hand - this requires immediate medical evaluation.
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 transferring objects between hands are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was transferring objects and has stopped - loss of fine motor skills needs prompt 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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