Warning Signs Of Developmental Delays In Babies

by michaela

May 19, 2023

parents

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Everybody knows that every infant is unique. They grow and develop at different paces so there is no point in forcing them to reach a specific milestone in a specific time frame. However, parents do need to be aware that the failure of reaching these milestones and the lack of interest or engagement shown by your baby may indicate that they have developmental delays or issues. The delay in physical development can lead to issues in social and emotional development, lack of communication skills, and learning disabilities arising later on in the future. So, as important as it is to give your little one space and time to figure out things on their own, it’s also important to keep track of where they are in terms of their development. So that, if your child does have a delay, you are able to recognise it quickly and get a diagnosis to start treatment. Here are a few warning signs of developmental delays in babies and kids.

Signs Of Developmental Delays

1. 2 To 4 Months

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If your 2 month old baby does not respond to loud noises, follow moving objects with their eyes, and can’t hold their head up while on their tummy, they may have developmental delays. This can also be true if they don’t smile at people or don’t bring their hands to their mouth. If your fourth month old still has trouble smiling at people or watching moving objects and can’t hold their head steady, they have developmental delays. The same goes if they can’t coo or make sounds, don’t bring objects to their mouth, if they don’t push down with their legs when their feet are placed on a hard surface or if they look like they have trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions.

2. 6 To 9 Months

Your six month old may have developmental delays if they don’t grasp things, show no affection towards their caregivers, don’t respond to sounds around them or don’t make vowel sounds. This can also be true if they don’t roll over in either direction, don’t laugh or squeal, have tight muscles and seem stiff or seem very floppy. By nine months, if your baby doesn’t bear weight on their legs when supported, doesn’t sit up with help or doesn’t babble, they may have a developmental delay. This can also be the case if they don’t play games that involve back and forth play, don’t recognise their own name or the faces of familiar people, don’t look where you point and can’t transfer a toy from one hand to another.

3. 12 To 18 Months

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If your 12 month old can’t crawl or stand with support, doesn’t even attempt to say words like ‘dada’ and ‘mama,’ doesn’t make any gestures like waving or shaking their head, they might have a developmental issue. They should also be able to find things that you hide and point at things at this stage. If your baby seems to be losing skills they once had, they may have developmental issues. By 18 months old, if your little one can’t walk, doesn’t copy others, hasn’t gained new words in their vocabulary and doesn’t know at least 6 words, this may be a developmental problem. This is also true if they notice a caregiver leaving or returning and doesn’t care.

What Does Developmental Delay Mean?

This is a term used by doctors when an infant or child doesn’t reach developmental milestones within the broad range of what’s considered normal. This delay can be in one or more areas. They may be gross motor skills such as sitting up and fine motor skills like grasping at objects. This may be communication and language skills such as the inability to understand a language or speak anything, self-help skills like the inability to dress oneself or toilet train. Or it could be social skills such as holding eye contact or playing with others.

What Causes Developmental Delay?

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Sometimes delayed development is caused by medical reasons. Maybe it’s complications of premature birth, or a genetic condition such as Down Syndrome. It can also be the result of a serious accident or illness. Usually, speech and language delays are caused due to hearing impairments or a problem with the child’s larynx, throat, oral or nasal cavity. Difficulties in communication may also be related to the central nervous system. However, in most cases, no specific medical cause can be pinpointed to explain a developmental delay.

If your child does have a developmental delay, there is no need to panic. Your pediatrician is probably checking for developmental delays every time you go for a visit and may notice the delay before you do. However, if it does skip their notice, you can always go back to the doctor when your little one isn’t responding as they should be or isn’t on track to reach their milestones. Then they can get a proper diagnosis and work on overcoming these delays.