Should I be worried?

[Anothermumm]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can put my mind at rest as I'm starting to worry about my 5mo DD. She has been showing dominace with her left hand since around 3mo. At first I thought it was likely the right hand would closely follow but now it has got to the point where she will cry if I try to encourage her to use her right hand for anything.
With her left she can grab and release confidently, hold things for extended periods of time, bring them to her mouth, push up when on her tummy etc. With her right she struggles to even grasp toys which are easier to hold such as some of her teethers. She will try but it's like her fingers won't work properly to unclench, she seems to only have control over her forefinger and middle and then she gets upset because she can't hold the toy properly. She can hold onto something for a few seconds if I place it in her right hand for her and she using it to support the left hand on lot like when holding a ball. Mostly she keeps the whole right arm straight and sort of swipes or bats at things.
I've read online (bad idea I know) and it always comes up with worst case scenarios so I was hoping someone had been through this with their baby and could reassure me it is maybe just a normal part of development.
I have spoken to the GP previously and they told me to wait until she is 6mo as she might start using it more before then but I'm worrying more and more everyday now 😩.
TIA

I would call your health visitor and chat it through with them. Otherwise wait a couple of weeks and get back in touch with your GP.

How are her legs?

What sort of birth did you have? Can she roll either way yet?

It could be something as simple as she has tightness in one side and with a bit of physio it will come right. So try not to worry!

This was me as a baby apparently. When I was sitting up, I would reach right over with my preferred hand. I also didn't walk until 19m. Nothing was wrong, and something I grew out of at some point.

Hi @NuffSaidSam
Thanks for your reply. I spoke to my HV before the GP last time and she said to just go to the GP. I will try the GP again in a few weeks like you say. I'm just feeling a bit panicked now as it isn't any better after 2 months. I would have thought it it was just a development order her right hand would be closer to being able to do the same as the left.
Her legs seem fine as far as I can tell. She is quite strong on them in general but she will only use her left leg to help her roll from front to back meaning she can only roll that way. She can't do back to front either way yet.

Hi @addler
I was induced and had a normal delivery but she was born with the cord wrapped quite tightly around her neck twice which does play on my mind a bit.
I will look into some physio thank you

@BendingSpoons that's reassuring to know, thanks for replying

My son was the same, he never really used his left side, and despite helping him his head started to flatten qt one side. He went for an mri scan and physio but nothing showed up. He's 14 now and fine, the physio helped I think.

You can often self refer for physio if you go on the gp website. My dd saw a child physio as a baby for torticollis and it helped a lot, the physio really knew their stuff with baby development and the appointments are a lot longer so they can make a good assessment.

How is she with tummy time and turning her head on back or belly? Could be tightness in the neck muscles (torticollis) if she struggles with those things.

Our son had that and we went to physio which we were referred to by hv. Never noticed anything with his hand though but wouldn't rule it out.

@Hotpinkangel19 @RainyDayWellySocks thanks, I will definitely look into physio for her. Glad that people have experienced this and all was fine!

Hi @Amichelle84 thanks for your reply. She hates tummy time but she has terrible reflux so I think that's why. She is fine turning her head to both sides when on her back and there doesn't seem to be any restriction of movement when she is sitting up with me. She will turn her head to a noise or if someone calls her name without any problems .

My son didn't use his right leg when he was very small. Started crawling at 10 months and just dragged the right leg behind him. I was so worried for a couple of months. Then he started climbing and pulling to stand/cruise at 1 year and suddenly everything was normal - walked at 14 months. I have no idea what it was, but he's nearly 8 now and it's never been a problem. Maybe he just needed to build the muscles? Hope it's something similar with your daughter.

It might be something or might not but the great thing about catching it now is that you can put in some physio now and neuroplasticity may allow her to work through it. Might just be a tight muscle thing rather than a muscle tone issue. I know how scary it is though!!

Would it be possible for you to pay to see a private paediatrician? I only say this as they can usually speed up the process to get scans or see a physio etc. there are a number of things that could be causing this, but I would suggest the sooner you get this investigated properly the better. In the mean time try to get your baby to use the hand as much as possible. Find a toy that requires both hands and keep going with the tummy time.

@LaTomatina that's so strange! I'm so pleased he is all good now! I hope it is something my DD will sort of grow out of.

@Foreverbaffled it is really worrying, especially as she gets so upset when I try to encourage her to use it. It makes me think it is maybe uncomfortable for her to use in some way. Physio I think is definitely the way to go.

@itshappened we could possibly use savings if necessary but I would rather avoid it if possible. We are already paying for a private chiropractor to help with digestional issues.
I try to encourage her as much as I can to use her right hand. She uses it to support her left quite well but it is always clenched or partly clenched (as in she just uses her forefinger and thumb). Today she grasped a teether today with her right hand without me prompting buy only used the three fingers needed for pincer grip rather than her whole hand which means she drops things quickly.

You could also try a chiropractor that works with babies. They are so scrunched up for so long they can help loosen up and identify anything physically that could alter with physio

I totally understand the cost implications, and so I would definitely speak to the gp asap to get you on the nhs waiting list to be seen by a paediatrician and physio. I have a relative who has been through something similar with their child. Their situation is ultimately different to yours, but early intervention with a physio to help develop the muscles has been important for them and I think could only be a good thing to help your little one too. I am sure your baby will be fine so try not to worry. but now is the time to invest in encouraging them to use their hand with professional guidance to help speed up the process.

Thanks @YoBeaches, we are already seeing a Chiropractor for different issues but she had only had one appointment for assessment thus far and I didn't think to mention her hand to be honest as I was so focused on getting her reflux manageable! 🙈 I will definitely mention it to them at her next appointment

Thanks @itshappened, it's worth knowing that I'm perhaps not just being an overly worried FTM and getting the relevant professionals involved might help her in the long run.