Observe whether the child: keeps hands clenched in tight fists
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Your baby sometimes holds their hands in tight fists, especially when alert, startled, or being handled, but the hands also relax open at other times.
What you might see
Your baby keeps hands clenched in tight fists often enough that you can clearly see this as their usual hand position during everyday observation.
What you might see
Your baby keeps the hands in tight fists across different moments, such as resting, being held, or moving the arms, without needing a specific prompt or situation.
What you might see
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
When your baby is quietly awake, notice whether their hands are clenched in tight fists.
During a diaper change, look at whether both hands stay tightly fisted or relax open.
When you pick your baby up, notice whether the hands naturally return to fists.
The dataset source and any supporting developmental research.
Stenhaug, B., Ram, N., & Frank, M. C. (2021). The Stanford SHQ: A measure of early developmental milestones.
This item comes directly from the SHQ observation prompt about whether the child keeps hands clenched in tight fists.
Prechtl, H. F. R. (1977). The Neurological Examination of the Full-Term Newborn Infant. Clinics in Developmental Medicine No. 63. London: Heinemann.
Newborn neurological examination includes observation of spontaneous posture, tone, and hand position in early infancy.