No interest in grabbing...should I be concerned?

LSquared3960

I know babies all develop at different rates, but I'm starting to get discouraged by the fact that AJ has absolutely no interest in using his hands to grab anything. If I put a toy in his hand he'll hold it for a few seconds, but doesn't seem to notice it at all. If a toy (or really anything) gets near his mouth he'll try to chew on it, but he won't use his hands. Most of the time he has his hands clasped together and he'll try to stick both of those in his mouth. Should I be concerned? I thought by 4 months he would at least start showing some interest in using his hands. His 4 month appointment is next Wednesday so I'll ask the dr then, but just thought I'd see if any of you had similar experiences.

88eve88

I don't think you need to be concerned.  Like you said, every baby develops at a different pace.  Perhaps your LO is content with just staring/looking/watching ... one day, he'll surprise you by reaching out for something to get a better look!

mintea

You know what, I am sure he is doing fine. Some babies are just calmer like that!

But, I still think it's worth discussion with your pediatrician. CDC's inventory of 4 month-old's developmental milestones (they're for things most babies can do by the end of 4 months) lists some milestones related to hands:

• Reaches for toy with one hand
• Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it
• Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys
• Brings hands to mouth

 https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4mo.html

LSquared3960

mintea:

You know what, I am sure he is doing fine. Some babies are just calmer like that!

But, I still think it's worth discussion with your pediatrician. CDC's inventory of 4 month-old's developmental milestones (they're for things most babies can do by the end of 4 months) lists some milestones related to hands:

• Reaches for toy with one hand
• Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it
• Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys
• Brings hands to mouth

 https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4mo.html

Thank you! This makes me feel better. Hopefully a lot will change over this month!

Sept07b2b

We have the same issue and brought it up with our ped last week.  He was not even slightly concerned.  He said every baby develops at a different pace and that if by 6 months my LO isn't reaching or grasping for things, then we can start being concerned.  I left feeling very relieved and haven't been concerned since.  I think my LO has just started to try to hold things and bring them to her mouth (over the last couple of days), so I think that's the beginning of her starting to really reach for things.  Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone!