Raising Kids Toddlers & Preschoolers Development Milestones Milestones: Red Flags to Watch For Children grow and develop at their own pace. That's a fact. What's normal for one baby or toddler may be abnormal for another. And while young children can reach milestones at different ages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says you should talk to your doctor and consider an early-intervention evaluation if your child displays any of these signs or has a dramatic loss of skills. By Kimberly Zapata Updated on May 11, 2022 Medically reviewed by David L. Hill, M.D., FAAP Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 06 Birth to 4 months jelly/Pixabay Babies change and grow a lot during their first few months of life. The average newborn gains 5 to 7 ounces a week. They also grow 1/2 inch to 1 inch each month. In short, your baby is getting bigger before your eyes. They are also developing new skills. But if your little one has trouble with any of the following, it could be a sign that something is wrong: While babies may cross their eyes often in the first month or two, flag with your pediatrician if your baby has trouble moving their eyes or is crossing them most of the time Doesn't respond to loud noises Doesn't notice own hands (by 2 months) Doesn't follow moving objects with eyes (by 3 months) Doesn't grasp objects (by 3 months) Doesn't smile at people (by 3 months) Can't support head (by 3 months) Doesn't babble or try to imitate sounds (by 4 months) Doesn't bring objects to mouth (by 4 months) Doesn't push down with legs when feet are on firm surface (by 4 months) RELATED: 12 Kids' Symptoms You Should Never Ignore 02 of 06 By 7 Months As your baby continues to grow, so too will their skills. Many 5-, 6-, and 7-month-olds roll, smile, and laugh. They grab toys frequently—and put objects in their mouth—and they babble and squeal. Their world expands each and every day. And while your baby may not have hit all of these milestones, at least not yet, the following could be a sign something is amiss: Seems very stiff, with tight musclesSeems very floppy, like a rag dollHead still flops back when body is pulled to a sitting positionReaches with only one handRefuses to cuddleShows no affection for the person who cares for himPersistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to lightDifficulty getting objects to mouthDoesn't roll over in either direction (by 5 months)Can't sit with help (by 6 months)Doesn't laugh or make squealing sounds (by 6 months) RELATED: 5 Ways to Boost Your Baby's Brainpower 03 of 06 By 1 Year CATHARINE DELAHAYE/GETTY By your child's first birthday, they've probably changed a lot—physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Developmental milestones are things most (75 percent) of children can do by a certain age. But if you have any concerns and/or if your child is exhibiting any of the following behaviors, you may want to speak to their pediatrician: Doesn't crawl or scoot, or drags one side of body while crawling Can't stand when supported Doesn't search for objects that they see being hidden Doesn't say mama or dada—or any other single words Doesn't use gestures, such as shaking head "no" Doesn't point to objects or pictures Can't walk (by 18 months) Doesn't walk heel-toe within a few months of walking RELATED: Baby Talking Timeline: A Month-By-Month Guide to Speech Development 04 of 06 By 2 Years Kasman/pixabay Ah, toddlerhood. There's nothing quite like it. Most 2-year-olds crawl, walk, and talk. They are also balls of energy—running, jumping, and simply going 100 miles a minute. But if your child is struggling physically, socially, or emotionally, you may want to speak to an early intervention expert. These are some signs that something could be wrong: Doesn't speak at least 15 wordsDoesn't use two-word sentencesDoesn't imitate actions or wordsDoesn't follow simple instructionsCan't push a wheeled toy RELATED: The CDC Updated Their Developmental Milestones for Kids—Here's What Parents Need to Know 05 of 06 By 3 Years Getty Images. Can you believe your baby is 3? Thirty-six months have passed since your wee one was born. But if your toddler is having difficulty with any of these things, you may want to speak with their doctor and/or pediatrician: Frequently falls or has difficulty with stairsDrools persistently or speaks unclearlyCan't build a tower of more than four blocksHas trouble manipulating small objectsCan't copy a circleCan't communicate in short phrasesDoesn't engage in pretend playDoesn't understand simple instructionsShows no interest in other childrenMakes poor eye contactHas little interest in toys RELATED: Go-To Learning Toys That Aid in Toddler Development 06 of 06 Concerned About Your Child's Development? You know your child best. If something seems off or "wrong," don't wait, speak up, and get help. "If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early," the CDC explains. "Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening." RELATED: Social Emotional Learning is Essential for Child Development—Here's How to Teach It at Home Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit