Common Baby Grasps

Haptic perception is how we see with our hands, so it's not surprising that this important ability starts developing early on in life. As your baby develops their haptic perception, their hands will gain more dexterity from the ulna to the radius bone (or from pinky to thumb). See what grasps your baby can already do.

Crude Palmer Grasp

Age: 0-5 months

Description: Grasping with the ulnar side of the palm, but no involvement of the thumb. Strength of the grasp is in the ulnar side of the palm (pinkie and ring finger)

 

Palmer Grasp

Age: 5-6 months

Description: Grasping with the center of the palm, with minimal involvement of the thumb. Strength of the grasp is in the center of the palm

Radial Palmer Grasp

Age: 6-7 months

Description: Grasping with the whole hand/palm, with the thumb starting to oppose and actively push onto the grasped object. Strength of the grasp is in the radial side of the palm (thumb) 

Raking Grasp

Age: 7-8 months

Description: Grasping with the fingers only. Also used to bring objects into the hand. Strength of the grasp is in the radial fingers (thumb, index and middle finger)

Radial Digital Grasp

Age: 8-9 months

Description: Grasping with fully opposable thumb, index and middle fingers. Objects are grasped with the inside of the fingers. Flexion of the ulnar fingers are present for grasp stability

Inferior Pincer Grasp

Age: 8-9 months

Description: Grasping with fully opposable thumb and index fingers only. Objects are grasped with the inside or side of the fingers. Flexion of the ulnar fingers are still present for grasp stability

Pincer Grasp

Age: 10-12 months

Description: Grasping with the tip of the fully opposable thumb and index fingers. Objects are now neatly grasped with the tip of the thumb and index fingers. Flexion of the ulnar fingers are no longer present to grasp stability

Related Topic: Top 10 Baby Signs