Favoring a "side"

[unclejesse]

I have heard that babies don't usually show if they are right handed or left handed until age 2, but does your kid generally favor a side?

When Andrew crawls, he uses his left leg as his "pusher", as his right leg kind of drags a bit. He also will only pick things up to eat with his left hand. And as I type this, he's making a liar out of me and putting a toy in his mouth with his right hand.

[Regina Philange]

The only thing i have noticed is he uses his left thumb prodominatly for his thumb sucking.

[Deleted]

MOSTLY right. He usually picks up food with his right. Most toys are picked up with right, but then go back and forth often.

[EmmieB1025]

DS has been predominately left handed for some time. He picks up everything with his left hand. If he picks up anything in his right hand, he immediately puts it in his left.

[TrudyCampbell]

It's not "normal" to have a favored side at this age. Violet does, for sure, and it's something we work on in PT. Andrew seems to be doing great so I wouldn't worry too much!

[raynes]

Owen ofter favours his left hand, which would just be awesome, right? A ginger AND a leftie?

[silverjm]

I've noticed he'll usually reach with his left hand for something right in front of him.

[christidee]

J favors his left side when he picks up puffs, grabs toys, and crawls.

[TrudyCampbell]

It seems like from the other responses that perhaps this is more normal than I was told! Our PT and OT always work on it and comment on it which is where I got my info from.

[bebeetmoi]

DD doesn't seem to have a favorite when it comes to her hands. She grabs things and waves with both. I have noticed since she's been supported walking, she always leads with her right foot.

[mikehoncho]

Jan 7, 2013 9:58:14 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like from the other responses that perhaps this is more normal than I was told! Our PT and OT always work on it and comment on it which is where I got my info from.

Yeah, Liam always reaches for things with his left and I thought that might be abnormal (not in a bad way, just that he might be a leftie) but reading these responses I definitely think otherwise!

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 9:58:14 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like from the other responses that perhaps this is more normal than I was told! Our PT and OT always work on it and comment on it which is where I got my info from.

The baby book I have only says if they favor a side when crawling or walking that it could be a bigger deal. It doesn't mention if they have a favorite hand with reaching, or playing with as an issue. I'm not sure which Violet has, but I don't think having a favorite hand is a big deal, unless of course they never use the other hand.

[Deleted]

R is generally feeding herself with the left but switches so much it's hard to tell if she's "favoring".

[Dorothy Zbornak]

H used both, but mostly left, for the longest time. I would say a real predominance has only showed up over the last year. She's right handed.

Sent from the future.

[laurack]

Matilda seems to favor her left hand. Had no idea this could be an issue? I only noticed when she's reaching for toys or food.

[AndyCohen]

Jan 7, 2013 9:58:14 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like from the other responses that perhaps this is more normal than I was told! Our PT and OT always work on it and comment on it which is where I got my info from.

Same here Trudy! I was told A's weak side was because of her Torticollis. She's so much better with her right side now though. Before therapy she always learned with her left and wouldn't get it with the right hand until a few weeks later. Now she learned her pincer with right and is much stronger with it right.

[kandrze1]

I honestly don't notice her favoring one side. I thought for a long time she grabbed mostly with her right hand, but when I really started watching her I noticed she uses both hands pretty equally.

[rxbeth]

Madison will pick up food with her left and then transfer it to her right a lot. She does reach for most toys and things with her left. Sucks her right thumb exclusively.

[monkeybabe]

Zoe seems to favor her right for sure. She drags her left leg when crawling, as well.

[Dorothy Zbornak]

Jan 7, 2013 12:06:20 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

Well, if it makes any difference at all, when Dylan was a baby he favored his left so much we were convinced he would be left handed....but he isn't, he is right handed.

We were sure H would be left handed (my husband is), but she turned out to be a righty.

Sent from the future.