Beyond your general instincts, there are some warning signs that your child is behind developmentally. The following is a list of warning signs that your child might be suffering from a developmental delay in the physical arena of development. Pay attention to it, and if you find that they are developing slowly, then consult your physician:

In the first few months baby is not able to do a whole lot, and so some people think that typical signs of developmental delay are just normal for baby. So, in the first 2-3 months, watch for the following:

• If after 2 months, your baby does not hold their head up when you pick them up from lying on their back.
• If after 2 months, your baby still feels stiff or is floppy.
• If after 2 months your baby acts as if they are pushing away from you when you hold them cradled in your arm. This is when they overextend their back and neck.
• If after 2 or 3 months your baby stiffens or crosses their legs when you pick them up by their trunk.

Between 3-6 months you baby should have a bit more of a grasp on movement, and thus spotting developmental delays will be easier, but it is still important to know what to look for.

• If by 3 or 4 months they are not grasping for, or reaching for toys.
• If by 3 or 4 months they can't yet support their head well.
• If by 4 months or so they are not wanting to put everything in their mouth. Baby should be bringing objects placed in their hand up to their mouth.
• If at 4 months baby does not push down with their legs when you put their feet on a firm surface such as a coffee table or the floor.
• If at 4 months they still are exhibiting Moro reflex. Moro reflex is when a baby is startled and they react by throwing their arms and legs, extending their neck, then quickly bring them back together and crying.
• If after 5 or 6 months they still demonstrate an asymmetrical tonic neck reflex. An asymmetrical tonic neck reflex is when his head turns to one side, his arm on that side will straighten, with the opposite arm bent up as if he's holding a fencing sword.
• If at 6 months they can not sit even with help.
• If after 6 months old they reach out with one hand and keep the other one in a fist.

Many parents do not notice developmental delays because something was normal at 5 months or so, and is no longer normal at 7-9 months. Because the actions are familiar, often they go unnoticed. Knowing what to look for will greatly help you in spotting developmental delays. Between 7 and 9 months watch for the following:

• If at 7 months they are exhibiting poor head control when you pull them up into a sitting position.
• If at 7 months they do not have the coordination to get objects into their mouth.
• If at 7 months they are not trying to get objects that are out of their reach, or reaching for objects you hold out to them.
• If at 8 months they can not sit on their own yet.

Babies grow a lot during the first year, so know what to expect and when. Between 9-12 months watch for the following warning signs of developmental delays:

• If at 10 months your baby is crawling lopsided, meaning one hand and leg drags.
• If at 12 months they are not yet crawling.
• If at 12 months they are not standing when supported (meaning holding on to a table, or to you).
• If at 12 months they are not grasping and holding on to toys.

Between 12 and 24 months your baby should start walking, and should be pulling themselves up to a standing position using furniture, etc. If they are not, talk to your physician. At 36 months watch for the following developmental delays:

• If your child falls a lot.


• If your child is unable to use stairs.


• If your child drools regularly.


• If your child can't manipulate small objects.

In addition to physical developmental delays there can be delays in communication and language development. Again, every child develops at a different rate, but if your child does not seem to be meeting the milestones, or seems behind, talk to your pediatrician. In addition to listening to your instincts, consider the following, so that you can spot delays and get your child treatment before the delays become a bigger problem. If not treated early, delays in this area can later affect their ability to learn and communicate, which could give them a handicap for life.

While your child may occasionally hit a road block in the communication development, generally there is a basic explanation, and it is not something to worry about. For example, many preschoolers seem to stutter because they will be telling you something, and will repeat a word over and over before finishing the sentence. Usually this is done in an attempt to keep your attention while they properly formulate the rest of their thought, and is not an actual stutter. Of course, if they are still doing this when they get into first or second grade, you would want to address it. The following are the communication and language developmental delay warning signs:

• If by 4 months your child does not imitate sounds you make.
• If at 6 months they are not laughing yet or squealing.
• If at 8 or 9 months they are not using cries, coos, gurgles and other sounds as a means of gaining your attention.
• If at 9 months they aren't babbling nonsense in an attempt to talk.
• If at 10 months they are not responding to their name being said.
• If at 10 months your baby isn't expressing when they are happy or upset
• If at 12 months they are not using gestures like waving goodbye or nodding agreement.
• If at 12 months they are not communicating with you non-verbally.
• If at 15 months they are not showing understanding of commonly used words like "no" or "bye".
• If at 15 months they are not using a minimum of 6 gestures. These include things like nodding, waving, pointing.
• If at 15 months they do not know at least 2-3 words.
• If at 18 months they are not trying to show you things that interest them, like flowers, birds, etc.
• If at 20 months they aren't making at least six consonant sounds.
• If at 21 months they are not responding to you when you give them simple directions like "sit".
• If at 21 months they are not pretending or playing.
• If by 2 years old they are not joining words together to form simple sentences (2 word min.)
• If by 2 they do not comprehend the basic use of items, like a phone is for calling, a remote is used for turning on the TV.
• If they are not imitating others words by 2.
• If by 30 months they can't be understood by those around them most.
• If at 3, they can't speak in short phrases.
• If they are not interested in interacting with other kids by age 3.
• If at 3 they show severe separation anxiety.
• If by 3 and a half they are not using consonants. Such as saying "ha" instead of "hat".
• If by 4 they still stutter a lot.
• If by 4 they are still hard to understand.