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When to babies start holding things?

Melissa - posted on 12/07/2009 ( 2 moms have responded )

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My two month old daughter always holds her hands in a fist with her thumbs between her pointer fingers and middle fingers. She's been doing this since she was born. Her hands are rarely spread open. She opens them when she is asleep. Does anyone know if that is a common thing for babies to do or is it something to be concerned about? When do babies start to hold items in their hands? I've been trying to put a rattle or a small teddy bear in her hands to help her learn to hold something, but her fists with her thumbs between her fingers get in the way.

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Kristin - posted on 12/07/2009

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my 4 1/2month always has her hands in a fist. So tight her little hands turn purple. in her sonograms she had them in fists as well. Within the last month she started opening them more...and recently discovered her thumb. Also she started grabbing long hair. I think they learn if they want something they need to open their hands.

Alycia - posted on 12/07/2009

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This is perfectly normal. My son is 3 and a half months old and always had his fists clenched. He started reaching for toys & objects a few weeks ago and now can coordinate both hands to play with 2 different toys. I noticed that it is much easier for babies to start off by reaching for and grabbing hanging toys. Once they get the hang of that they will be able to start picking them up. Babies at 2 months don't realize that they have control over their hands yet. Giver her a couple more weeks and she should start bringing her hands to her mouth and after that she will get the toy thing down. Once she starts reaching for toys and actually grabs them and holds on you should gently pull the toy away to teach her to hold on to it. This will help her alot. Any more questions feel free to ask!

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