6 Month Old Hands In Fists

Guest

I have a six month old who seems to be doing fine with the exception that her hands are fisted half of the time and sometimes her thumbs are in her palm. When her hands aren't fisted, she uses them equally with no problem. Although I've noticed when she's picking up something, she never wraps her thumb around the object she's holding, her thumb has the same posture as when it's tucked into her fist.

In addition to her hands, my infant always likes to stand with her legs lock with no bending at the knees for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I also catch my baby only kicking one leg while the other leg is straight out stiff.

A little background.

My wife had an uncomplicated pregnancy, although she did go in three times because she had stopped feeling the baby. Everything checked out fine each time she went to the doctor.

The delivery was normal, as it was a planned c-section. My baby was born 2.5 weeks early before the due date due to my wife having consistent and very painful contractions. Baby was fine, other than being jaundice.

My baby has always felt really strong, but not necessarily stiff. One of first things to notes is that our baby rolled over from stomach to back at 6 weeks which is really early and can be an indication of being overly stiff. In addition, my baby always preferred to be standing.

In addition, my baby saw a developmental specialist at 2.5 months due to her not being able to lift her head at all while on her stomach, although she had no head lag when being lifted off of a flat surface. The doctor gave her a long physical examination of the entire body and said that our baby probably doesn't like being on her stomach, and that was probably true as our baby was able to lift her head for hours on end at 4 months.

I'm concerned about her hands being in fists alot of the time, because it's looks really odd like and doesn't look normal. She's meeting all other milestones: has two words, has been eating solids for a month, uses both hands equally, is able to sit up on her own for 15 minutes at a time, seems like she is trying to crawl. Weight, height and head measurements are all normal as well.

Does this sound like CP, or a problem specific to the hands?

Thank you, worried dad.

thedad36

I have a six month old who seems to be doing fine with the exception that her hands are fisted half of the time and sometimes her thumbs are in her palm. When her hands aren't fisted, she uses them equally with no problem. Although I've noticed when she's picking up something, she never wraps her thumb around the object she's holding, her thumb has the same posture as when it's tucked into her fist.

In addition to her hands, my infant always likes to stand with her legs lock with no bending at the knees for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I also catch my baby only kicking one leg while the other leg is straight out stiff.

A little background.

My wife had an uncomplicated pregnancy, although she did go in three times because she had stopped feeling the baby. Everything checked out fine each time she went to the doctor.

The delivery was normal, as it was a planned c-section. My baby was born 2.5 weeks early before the due date due to my wife having consistent and very painful contractions. Baby was fine, other than being jaundice.

My baby has always felt really strong, but not necessarily stiff. One of first things to notes is that our baby rolled over from stomach to back at 6 weeks which is really early and can be an indication of being overly stiff. In addition, my baby always preferred to be standing.

In addition, my baby saw a developmental specialist at 2.5 months due to her not being able to lift her head at all while on her stomach, although she had no head lag when being lifted off of a flat surface. The doctor gave her a long physical examination of the entire body and said that our baby probably doesn't like being on her stomach, and that was probably true as our baby was able to lift her head for hours on end at 4 months.

I'm concerned about her hands being in fists alot of the time, because it's looks really odd like and doesn't look normal. She's meeting all other milestones: has two words, has been eating solids for a month, uses both hands equally, is able to sit up on her own for 15 minutes at a time, seems like she is trying to crawl. Weight, height and head measurements are all normal as well.

Does this sound like CP, or a problem specific to the hands?

Thank you, worried dad.

debbiem

I echo what the others said really, best to approach your gp if you are worried - does your little one open her hands readily if you stroke the back of them when she has them fisted? We went through many months of physio to enable Anya to unbend her fingers etc and she still uses the inside edge of her hand rather than her thumb. It's always worrying when something seems to be slightly different, but it may not be anything at all, and as long as she is now meeting her milestones then the gp will probably not be concerned - most prefer to play 'wait and see' which is a game no-one likes but is often essential!! If she is nearly crawling then this will give you a good indicator by looking at her hand placement... My lo didn't crawl until about 15 months but at that point one hand was still very tight and would not splay. The crawling really helped with the physio!! Hopefully your gp will put your mind at rest.
Good luck xx

Guest

If you are worried you need to take her to the GP, and perhaps talk about the possiblity of being referred back to the consultant that saw her before.

Best Wishes
Forum Moderator

charlieboy2

hi worried dad our little boy charlie has cerebral palsy he didnt meet any of his milestones so we had a good idea there was something wrong the only people who can really reassure you are the professionals so if i was you i would take her to your gp or your health visitor she sounds like a clever little thing so hopefully its nothing to worry about but obviously you know your baby best good luck
karen and lee

kirstie

Hi there worried Dad!!
I cannot advise you as i am not a Dr. but i would echo the idea of seeing your GP. It could well be that your lovely baby is displaying signs of CP but it could be something entirely different.
Congratulations on your daughter, she sounds as though she is coming on very well despite your concerns over her fists etc. I am impressed at the two words wow!!
And don't be put off by a GP if they say wait and see....if you want her referred INSIST! or equally ask to which Dr your GP is referring her to and what they specialise in. I made that mistake and agonised for months and we took the long way round because of it...still have no real answers as yet, so beware these appointments do take a while if she is referred on. (But you can always be cheeky like me and phone up and try to get an earlier appointment or cancellation!!) Very best of luck, and do keep posting. Let us know how you are getting on.
Kirstie.

jacob1

Hello....

My little boy has mild CP due to premature birth...originally diagnosed as moderate to severe...he too holds his hands in a fist much of the time...this is because of his CP and increased muscle tone in his upper arms....at the child development centre where he is treated they have given us splints which are to be worn as much as posible to help train his hands open so that he will have use of his hands fully ...especially his thumb and fore finger. i think its essential you get this looked at ASAP so as your little one can have the same support which has proved succesful so far with my jacob...xxxx

liamsmum

[Hello i also echo what the others have said. my son has cp and to help his hands from fisting the pros suggested him to wear a tubie grip with alittle opening for his thumb you can buy them from any chemists also when his hand was fisted i gave it a gentle stoke to get him to open.
Hope everything works out and keep on to them.