Mom Not Prepared for the Tears After Noticing Smallest of Changes in Son

Mothers often lament the speed at which their children grow—and one woman is saying we should pay even closer attention.

In a video posted to TikTok, creator Katya Hosler (@katyahosler) revealed a small but heart-wrenching sign that a child is growing up: the loss of their "hand dimples". Since it was posted, it has received big attention online, with commenters—especially fellow mothers—sharing their own small losses of child development.

"Something they don't prepare you for: when the hand dimples disappear," Hosler captioned the video, which has been viewed nearly 700,000 times. "Sitting here sobbing at my own video...why do they grow up so fast?"

Hosler revealed that she has a baby who is five months old, and an older son who is six years old. These are the two hands she is presumed to compare in the video: one with dimples where the knuckles are, and one without.

Viewers rushed to comment, saying they "can't even fathom" the loss of the knuckle dimples, and sharing their own miniature losses of child development.

"There goes something new on my list. I have a 10-week-old baby and I am already mourning the end of the newborn scrunch," @sandzy92 said, referring to the ways newborn babies roll to their side and "scrunch" up into the fetal position.

"The hardest one for me is their little feet," @brittanybomb said. "When the toes flatten down. It's the saddest thing."

"I wasn't prepared for when my little [one] could actually hold my own hand instead of just my finger," @simplify.lauren wrote.

Some people said that not every child loses the dimples in their knuckles, and that the difference may be hereditary.

"OK, but I'm 32 and I still have them," @93percentstardust_ wrote.

"My daughter has my hands," @citron101 said. "[Knuckle dimples] never disappeared. I myself still have them."

Newsweek asked Katya Hosler for comment via TikTok.

Babies' Development: Changes in the First 4-6 Months

The changes observable in small babies seem, and are, rapid. After moving past newborn days, changes in motor skills, vision and speech are notable.

Mayo Clinic says that when babies hit the 4–6-month mark, their movements become more intentional. Rolling over, being able to hold their weight better and even sitting upright are common milestones, along with more grasping and raking movements in the hands. Imperceptibly, colors become more distinct for babies at this age, and shapes are more compelling.

There are things that caregivers can do to support this development: talking often to babies, playing them music and encouraging them with new toys can stimulate them and promote development. Personality traits may begin to emerge, which is important to note as the child starts displaying a more distinct temperament.

All things considered, though, the clinic emphasizes that every child develops on their own timeline—and that parents should expect fluctuations in these expected outcomes. The clinic advises, though, that a parent's instinct is a critical resource: If something seems off, it's best to get a child checked out by a health professional.