My Baby Isn't Transferring Objects Between Hands
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.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
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 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.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
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 Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.