As a newborn, your baby’s tiny fists were often curled up in the most adorable way. But it won’t be long before your little one discovers that those hands and arms can do more than just stay put—they’re perfect for grabbing things. Soon enough, your baby will learn that reach out can bring her closer to what she wants.
Here’s what you need to know about when babies start reaching for people and objects, and how you can encourage this exciting milestone.
When Do Babies Start Reaching for Things?
By the time your baby is 4 months old, she should start reaching for familiar objects. Some infants may even begin reaching as early as 3 months, eagerly extending their hands toward toys, pets, and of course, their caregivers.
Once your baby gets the hang of reaching, the next step is grabbing. As her finger coordination improves, she’ll learn to grasp objects that are within her reach. By around 6 months, most babies can not only grab items but also transfer them from one hand to the other with ease.
How to Encourage Reaching?
Newborns spend much of their time sleeping, but as your baby becomes more alert, her quickly-developing senses will help her unlock new skills.
Before your baby starts reaching, she’ll make two important discoveries: First, she’ll realize there’s a fascinating world of toys, people, and objects just beyond her crib and playmat. Second, she’ll figure out that her arms and hands are the keys to exploring that world. It’s a big moment!
You can support your baby’s reaching skills by placing interesting toys within her reach during tummy time. Hold objects close enough for her to see, and cheer her on when she tries to reach out. At first, she might not have the coordination to grab everything she reaches for, but every bit of interaction helps her improve.
What Not to Worry About
Remember, every child develops at their own pace. If your baby isn’t reaching for objects by 4 months, it’s usually nothing to worry about, but you should mention it to your pediatrician during her next well-visit.
Your baby might just be naturally hesitant to reach out—some babies, like adults, are a bit shy—or perhaps she hasn’t found something she’s truly interested in reaching for yet.
Plenty of playtime with a variety of objects will help develop your baby’s spatial awareness and motor skills. And when the day comes that she reaches out for you from her crib, it’ll be a heart-melting moment you’ll cherish forever.
