Helping Baby Learn To Grab
“How can I help my baby learn to grab something? He’s just hitting things now & getting frustrated (2 months old).”
ANSWER- Bringing hands to midline & beginning to swat at toys above them really starts to emerge between 3-4 months & then becomes more intentional reach/ grasp/ release/ manipulation from there.
Two things I love to set them up for success with this exploration & skill is to provide some support when they’re on their back, like a cocoon of a towel roll around them. This helps bring hands closer to midline & reduces the effort they need to exert against gravity. And then using something like an o-ball, which almost “catches” their fingers if they swat at it is AWESOME because it increases success of hitting it, which equals more cause & effect & motivation to keep trying!
BUT again, please know that at 2 months, many of these are likely on the horizon, but not quite happening yet - and that’s usually absolutely okay!
Want more?
For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.
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KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of three! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.
