My Toddler Can't Twist or Unscrew Lids
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Unscrewing lids is an advanced fine motor skill that combines wrist rotation, grip strength, and bilateral hand coordination. Most children learn to unscrew loose lids between 2 and 3 years. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids, this is completely normal.
Key takeaways
- Unscrewing lids is an advanced fine motor skill that combines wrist rotation, grip strength, and bilateral hand coordination. Most children learn to unscrew loose lids between 2 and 3 years. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids, this is completely normal.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids.
- Call your doctor if: Your child has lost hand function or strength.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, unscrewing lids is an advanced fine motor skill that combines wrist rotation, grip strength, and bilateral hand coordination. Most children learn to unscrew loose lids between 2 and 3 years. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids, this is completely normal. At 12-18 months, toddlers at this age cannot unscrew lids and are not expected to. They are still developing the wrist rotation and grip strength needed. Offering containers with loose lids to practice can build these skills. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has lost hand function or strength.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
12-18 months
Toddlers at this age cannot unscrew lids and are not expected to. They are still developing the wrist rotation and grip strength needed. Offering containers with loose lids to practice can build these skills.
18-24 months
Some toddlers begin to unscrew very loose lids with assistance. The bilateral coordination of holding the container while turning the lid is challenging. Practice with play dough container lids and large bottle caps helps develop this skill.
2-3 years
Most children can unscrew loose lids by age 2-3. If your child cannot unscrew any lid by age 3, mention it to your pediatrician. They may benefit from occupational therapy to develop hand strength and coordination.
3-4 years
Unscrewing should be manageable for loose-to-moderate lids. Tight lids are still difficult and require adult strength. If your child cannot unscrew loose lids, evaluation of hand function is recommended.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 3 and cannot unscrew any lids.
- Mention if your child has generalized hand weakness.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids.
- Your toddler can unscrew with help or with loose lids.
- Your toddler is developing wrist rotation with other activities.
- Unscrewing ability is improving with practice.
- Your child is over 3 and cannot unscrew any lids.
- Your child has generalized hand weakness.
- Your child has difficulty with other twisting and turning tasks.
- Your child has lost hand function or strength.
- Your child has pain or swelling affecting hand use.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler is under 2 and cannot unscrew lids — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-18 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 child has lost hand function or strength.
Related Conditions
My Toddler Can't Turn a Doorknob
Turning a doorknob requires wrist rotation (supination/pronation) that typically develops between 2-3 years. Most toddlers under 2 cannot turn a doorknob, and this is completely normal. This is an advanced fine motor skill that requires hand strength and wrist mobility.
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
My Baby Has a Weak Grip
Grip strength develops gradually over the first year. Newborns have a reflexive grasp that fades around 3-4 months, and voluntary grasping then takes over. Dropping objects frequently is completely normal for young babies who are still developing hand control. If your baby shows no interest in grasping at all by 4-5 months or cannot hold objects briefly by 6 months, talk to your pediatrician.
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 my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids?
When is my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids normal?
What causes my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids?
Is my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids normal at 12-18 months?
Is my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids normal at 18-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids?
Does my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Can't Twist or Unscrew Lids.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 3 and cannot unscrew any lids.
- Mention if your child has generalized hand weakness.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 3 and cannot unscrew any lids.
- Your child has generalized hand weakness.
- Your child has difficulty with other twisting and turning tasks.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has lost hand function or strength.
- Your child has pain or swelling affecting hand use.
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 my toddler can't twist or unscrew lids are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has lost hand function or strength.
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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Related Physical Concerns
My Toddler Can't Turn a Doorknob
Turning a doorknob requires wrist rotation (supination/pronation) that typically develops between 2-3 years. Most toddlers under 2 cannot turn a doorknob, and this is completely normal. This is an advanced fine motor skill that requires hand strength and wrist mobility.
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
My Baby Has a Weak Grip
Grip strength develops gradually over the first year. Newborns have a reflexive grasp that fades around 3-4 months, and voluntary grasping then takes over. Dropping objects frequently is completely normal for young babies who are still developing hand control. If your baby shows no interest in grasping at all by 4-5 months or cannot hold objects briefly by 6 months, talk to your pediatrician.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.