Dr. Piyush Jain
Dr. Piyush Jain provides pediatric clinical guidance for developmental and neurodevelopmental concerns where appropriate.
Genesis Neurogen Blog
Baby Still Can’t Pass a Toy From One Hand to the Other at 8-10 Months
संक्षेप में: ज़्यादातर बच्चे लगभग 6 से 9 महीने के बीच किसी खिलौने को एक हाथ से दूसरे हाथ में देना सीख जाते हैं। अगर आपका बच्चा 9-10 महीने तक भी यह नहीं कर पा रहा, तो यह अकेले घबराने की बात नहीं है, लेकिन अगर इसके साथ एक ही हाथ का ज़्यादा इस्तेमाल, बाहों में कड़ापन या अन्य मोटर विकास में देरी भी दिखे, तो डॉक्टर से इसकी चर्चा करना उचित है।
Short answer: Most babies learn to pass a toy from one hand to the other somewhere between about 6 and 9 months, as hand control and coordination between both sides of the body develop together. A baby who isn't doing this by around 9-10 months isn't automatically a cause for alarm, but it is one of several fine motor milestones worth mentioning to your paediatrician, particularly if it appears alongside other motor differences like a strong preference for one hand or stiffness in the arms.
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Why hand-to-hand transfer matters as a milestone
Passing an object from one hand to the other sounds simple, but it requires a baby to grasp with one hand, release with control rather than just dropping, and coordinate the other hand to receive it — all while both sides of the body work together. This is one of several milestones doctors look at together when assessing early motor and coordination development, rather than a single decisive sign on its own.
What's typical, and what's worth watching
Many babies begin transferring objects somewhere between 6 and 9 months, though there is a normal range either side of this. A baby who hasn't started doing this by around 9-10 months, especially alongside a strong, persistent preference to only use one hand this early, stiffness or tightness noticed in the arms, or general motor delay in other areas like sitting or rolling, is worth discussing with a paediatrician. Parents from Krishna Nagar and Mayur Vihar who raised this at a routine check-up have told us it was reassuring just to have the specific milestone looked at directly rather than guessing from online checklists. You can read more about how early motor signs like this are evaluated on our cerebral palsy rehabilitation service page.
What a developmental check looks at
A paediatric or developmental assessment at this stage typically looks at the full pattern of hand use, tone (how stiff or floppy the muscles feel), symmetry between both sides of the body, and other age-appropriate motor milestones together, rather than treating a single missed milestone as diagnostic on its own. Early evaluation, where needed, allows early support rather than a "wait and see" approach stretching on for months.
Book a paediatric motor assessment for your baby with our cerebral palsy rehabilitation team. Call 7481909090 or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is not transferring a toy by 9 months definitely a sign of a problem?
No — on its own, it falls within a range of normal variation for many babies. It becomes more worth checking when it appears alongside other motor signs, such as strong early hand preference or noticeable stiffness.
What's the normal age range for this milestone?
Many babies begin around 6 to 9 months, with some variation on either side being typical. Your paediatrician can advise based on your baby's overall development, not this milestone alone.
Does early hand preference always mean something is wrong?
Not always — hand preference naturally develops over time. It is worth a closer look mainly when it appears very strongly and consistently well before the age most babies show a preference, especially alongside other motor signs.
What should I bring up at my baby's next check-up?
It helps to describe specifically what you've observed — for example, which hand is used, whether the baby tries and struggles versus doesn't attempt it at all, and any other motor concerns — rather than just saying 'I'm worried.'
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Meet the doctors
Useful context about the Genesis Neurogen doctors, so you can understand the wider clinical practice while reading this article.
Dr. Radha Jain
Dr. Radha Jain is the Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Obstetrician within the wider Genesis Neurogen clinical practice. Her women’s-health services are detailed on the main Genesis Neurogen Delhi website.
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