3-Month-Old Baby – Left-Handed or Right-Handed?

[Rozzzeto]

Our son is 3 months and 22 days old, and we’ve noticed that he is significantly more active with his left hand—he prefers to suck on it and tends to stretch it upwards more often. He does the same with his right hand, but to a much lesser extent. Currently, when placed on his back, he is trying to roll over again to his left side. We found out that his great-grandmother was left-handed. Both of us, his parents, are right-handed, as are all his grandparents—except for his great-grandmother.

We took him to a neurologist, who told us that it’s too early to determine whether he is left-handed, and that this can only be confirmed after the age of two. The doctor did not find any other physiological concerns.

We would like to hear your thoughts: have you observed similar patterns in other children, and what is the likelihood that our child might be left-handed?

Like the last thread was worried about autism in a 2 month old? Thats just putting fresh anxiety in there somewhere.

Bit young to worry I think. Why exactly is it problem? We don't try and beat left handedness out of children any more

If there are 'handed' issues at two to three years you might need advice.

My daughter is a leftie and it was very apparent as a young baby. Not sure at 3 months, but certainly around 6 to 8.

Hey OP,

We have also noticed that our baby turns more to her left/uses her left hand more. I think this is because DH and I are both right handed - when we show her things we use our right hands and therefore the object is almost always to her left. Trying to correct this now 😬🤞 - at least she's not an outie!

This! My DD is almost 4 and has been fairly ambidextrous albeit preferred her left hand and it’s now clear she’s left handed but we certainly wouldn’t have known this at 3 months (or even 2 years and 3 months!)

Wow, some of you must have been the 'mean girls' at school, now developed into mean women.

My GP flagged an issue with my baby at her 6 week check and sent them to a neurologist because of her arm. I had assumed it was normal that she used one more than the other and one was stiffer. They were worried about cerebral palsy. My daughter was born on the floor 40 mins after the first twinge. The speed of the birth damaged the sheath protecting her nerves and caused Erb's Palsy. It was all rectified after a few months of healing and physio.

Maybe the OP is seeking reassurance that left handedness is all it is rather than being upset by it. Whatever the reason, ridiculing someone and ganging up with snide posts is pretty shitty.

I am left-handed, the only one of my 4 siblings and either parent. My maternal grandfather was left-handed.

My DH has 2 sisters, 1 is left-handed. Neither my husband or the other sister, is. Neither of their parents is left-handed.

Our son (8 yo) is a rightie. Sometimes he'll do stuff with his left but it's rare. I analysed everything in the hopes he would be a leftie like me (which foot he steps off with for example). For a while he seemed maybe left, (and i was thrilled!) but ultimately he's a rightie. It didn't become for sure until he learned to write and was consistent (sometimes he would still switch). So maybe 4 or 5?

So while I'd like to tell you that it appears your child has joined the leftie club, it's just too early sorry!

I'm very surprised a neurologist would see a tiny baby for anything?! Unless it was suffering from seizures.

And what's wrong with being left handed? It's not a disability. But kids can't be anything handed when they haven't the dexterity to use their hands yet.

Dm, me and ds4 are all south paws, it's good to be different.🙂

I am left-handed due to neurological injuries which caused hemiparesis as a young child. At 3 months old, PRIOR to the injury, I was apparently favouring my right hand (something that obviously stopped after the injury occured). My mother noted the early favouring of the right hand and wasn't remotely worried by this, thinking it may be an indication I was going to be right handed.

If you are saying you think your son may have a right hemiparesis, you probably should have said so in your OP and not phrased it so that you took your 3 month old child to a neurologist because you've noticed he favours his left side more. The mere favouring of a particular side at at 3 months btw does not in itself indicate hemiparesis. I did not use my hemi side AT ALL post-injury. You say your son DOES use his right side but simply favours his left. There is also a family history of left-handedness (as there probably is in most families).

The specialist has given you some advice though. I'd start off by adapting the way you carry him to see if that helps loosen up the stiff arm (you didn't say this was the right one but I assume so).

It’s because you’re right handed. He’s mirroring you because you predominantly use your right hand to interact with him. All babies do this.

The OP was 100% correct to seek medical help over such a young baby showing signs of hand preference, as it can be a sign of cerebral palsy. So please stop having a go at her.

Is it that you are from a culture that has a slight but tangible prejudice against Left Handed people? I think some Arab countries used to pressure children to be right handed in schools. Does this still happen?

I don't understand your concern.

A right handed child will have a weaker left hand because they use their right hand more often.

I'm left handed, my mother was left handed, my grandfather (born 1900) was also left handed, but the school tied his left hand behind his back to force him to use his right hand. Us lefties tend to be more creative & intuitive. I revel in being a leftie. Not just left handed but in my politics. Celebrate your child's differences. 😘

Sorry…but why the hell does it matter if your child is a lefty or a righty??

WTF??

have you been told by someone that left handed people are less intelligent, more likely to be serial killers or that they’re just not as worthy as right handed people ???

are you going to be one of these parents who force a left handed child to use their right hand even if they favour their left hand ???

This is seriously neurotic !!

That's more or less what I just said. But I think the OP was badly phrased, hence the replies she's getting. It would probably be better if she edited the OP to clarify.

Dear me....The mind boggles.

Any chance of mild Erbs Palsy?

🙄

My left handed son showed distinct left hand preference from a very early age. As soon as he started reaching for things it was always his left hand that he grasped with or would transfer from right to left. I’m also left handed so if the hand you offer with when facing them directly has an influence he would have been right handed.

I have two daughters. First born left side was more dominant in the early stages we assumed she probably be left handed & thought nothing more about it. At nursery would scribble using either hand, reception she eventually ended up right handed!

Second daughter couldn’t even tell you want side was more dominant (great parenting eek) and realised at school she was left handed completely.

I’ve learnt you just don’t know until the around 4/5 years old. The only left handed person in my family is my uncle and nephew (sister son) none known on my husband side.

If this is real, you need to look into getting help for your health anxiety.

I'm assuming you’re not in the UK or if you are then you went private? Can’t see any GP in the UK referring you to a neurologist for this!
I know some cultures frown on left handedness but it really isn’t a disability!!

What a load of nonsense.

As a UK paediatrician I would absolutely accept this as a referral from the GP, as such early signs of handedness are not infrequently the first signs of cerebral palsy.