How to Tell What Hand Your Baby Uses

As babies grow and develop their motor skills, they practice using both their hands. For some babies, it can become apparent before the age of 2, which hand is their dominant one. For others, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child,” your child may not have a dominant hand until he is much older, or he may truly be ambidextrous, able to use both hands with equal control and strength. Even though you may have to wait until kindergarten to learn if your child is left- or right-handed, it can still be fun to test your baby for clues to her eventual preference.

Step 1

Set your baby in her highchair and place several plastic baby spoons on her tray. Make sure the spoons are all the same color, size and shape. Spread them out equally over her tray. Watch to see if she picks up the spoons more often with her left or right hand.

Step 2

Have your baby walk up steps if he is able to do this. Observe which foot he uses first to climb the steps. Usually people who have a dominant hand also have the same dominant foot. If he always climbs up with his right foot first, he may be right-handed as well.