There are a variety of characteristics that can hinder an infant’s progress with fine motor skills, including:

• Floppy, poor, and/or limp muscle tone
• Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity
• Lack of motor control and dexterity

Fine motor skills are defined as the coordination of small muscle movements, such as in the fingers, hands, and toes. When infants have weak fine motor skills, they may be unable to perform daily “occupational” skills that are age-appropriate, such as holding a bottle while drinking, grasping objects, and bringing their hands to their mouth.

Fine motor skills can be delayed for a number of reasons, including traumatic birth injuries that lead to neurological disorders, genetic factors, and pregnancy complications.

An infant occupational therapist helps babies with delays in fine motor skills by:

 

• Helping them bring their hands together via physical development exercises
• Helping with grasping small objects via small muscle strength training
• Stimulating toys and positioning equipment

 

Once babies start to develop fine motor skills, occupational therapists help them apply their skills to self-care, such as bottle feeding alone, holding spoons and food, and more.