Sleepy newborn babies are mostly focused on nursing and napping. But as soon as a baby realizes his hands and feet exist ("Hello, down there!"), he'll quickly begin to use them to explore, play and learn. Yup, welcome to baby grabbing. In fact, once he starts grabbing at everything in sight, he probably won't want to stop!
Here’s when a baby typically begins to grab objects, plus some easy ways to help teach him how to do it.
When should my baby be grabbing things?
Your baby goes through a few different stages as he learns how to interact with toys and other objects around him. Here's what to expect from month to month:
- By month 4: Your baby will learn to reach for an object with one hand. By this age, he'll also be able to hold and shake a toy, as well as swing at dangling objects.
- By month 6: Most babies at this age can try to get an item that is out of reach and pass objects from one hand to another.
- By month 9: Your 9-month-old is likely a pro at moving toys and other objects smoothly from one hand to another, and he's also probably picking items up with his new pincer grasp.
- By 12 months: As he approaches his first birthday, your almost-toddler is able to bang two toys together. He can also maneuver his toys in new ways, such as by placing them in a container (and taking them out again), as well as letting go of objects easily.
How to help teach babies to grab things
Want to encourage your baby to reach out and grab? Here are some fun ways to show him how:
- Demo his toys. Until your baby begins reaching and grabbing objects, consider yourself a "toy curator," showing — and describing — all the amazing features of his playthings: "Look, it's a cow! A cow goes moo." This is an especially fun activity to do during tummy time.
- Encourage his reach. During playtime, arrange an assortment of toys, such as colorful cups and soft balls, just beyond his arm’s reach and then coax him to extend his hand out for them.
- Add some texture. Let your little one touch objects of different textures and shapes, from fuzzy blankets and rubbery blocks to squeaky animal toys and baby-safe board books.
- Don’t forget those toes! Babies love the sensation of exploring with their feet as well as their fingers, so let his toes join the fun. Place your baby under an activity gym with toys overhead so he can explore what his feet and hands can do. Babies learn object recognition and cause and effect from playtime, so every plaything you introduce teaches him a little bit more.
- Combine grabbing and snacktime. Your baby’s pincer grasp will develop around 9 months, but before that he’ll love grabbing at soft yummy foods on his high chair tray. If you're following a baby-led weaning approach, you might serve up strips of ripe avocado, steamed broccoli or quartered hard-boiled eggs.
What not to worry about
Every child develops on his own unique timeline, so as long as you offer yours plenty of opportunities to play, it's not a cause for concern if he seems to be taking a little longer than you expected to start grabbing objects around him.
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Babies are surprisingly good at letting you know when they've had enough playtime for the day, too. So, watch your little one's visual cues: When it's time to take a break, he'll suddenly appear distracted and bored rather than engaged and will turn his head away or fuss.
And after he masters grabbing, your baby will begin developing fine motor skills that, over the next months, will allow him to eat finger foods and eventually use a cup. Get ready for these improved eating skills by spreading a splat mat below his high chair!
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