Question
Doctor, my baby is seven months old and was born without any abnormalities, with height and weight within the normal range. She can now follow sounds, notice moving objects, and can be amused, making sounds like ‘babamamadada’. She can also roll over flexibly, sit alone, and has good balance. However, I’ve noticed that she doesn’t grip things very tightly; sometimes she lets go after a while when playing with toys. I’m worried that her fine motor skills development might be a bit behind. Should I be concerned?
Answer
Based on your description, your baby’s current physical and cognitive development seems to be normal. The process of baby development typically progresses from gross motor skills to fine motor skills, so the ability to finely grasp small objects with fingers usually takes longer to develop. Generally, babies can master the skill of picking up small objects with their fingers around 18 months of age. For your baby’s situation, there seems to be no need to worry too much. However, if you still have concerns about your baby’s fine motor skills development, you can consult a pediatrician or a physical therapist to obtain professional evaluation and advice. Usually, some simple home activities and games can help improve a baby’s fine motor skills.