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Ask Doctor Mommy

Milestones: When to Ask Your Doctor

Advice· Toys and Development

7/20
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As parents we are always asking ourselves if our children are growing and developing properly. But instead of telling you all the fun milestones they will be doing, I want to give you a resource for when to speak with your pediatrician.

Speak to your doctor if your child:

2 months milestones: 

  • Doesn’t respond to loud sounds.
  • Doesn’t watch things as they move.
  • Doesn’t bring hands to their mouths. 
  • Can’t hold their head up when pushing up on their tummy.

4 months milestones:

  • Doesn’t smile at people
  • Can’t hold head steady.
  • Doesn’t coo or make sounds.
  • Doesn’t push down when feet are placed on a hard surface.
  • Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions.

6 months milestones:

  • Doesn’t reach for objects that are in reach.
  • Shows no affection for caregivers.
  • Doesn’t respond to sounds around him.
  • Doesn’t roll in either direction.
  • Doesn’t laugh or squeal.
  • Seems stiff with tight muscles.
  • Seems floppy like a rag doll.
  • Doesn’t make vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”)

9 months milestones:

  • Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support.
  • Doesn’t sit with help
  • Doesn’t babble (“mama”, “baba”, “dada”).
  • Doesn’t respond to own name.
  • Doesn’t recognize familiar people.
  • Doesn’t look where you point.
  • Doesn’t transfer toys between hands. 

12 months milestones:

  • Doesn’t crawl.
  • Can’t stand when supported.
  • Doesn’t search for things you hide.
  • Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada”.
  • Doesn’t use gestures like waving or shaking head.
  • Doesn’t point to things.
  • Loses skills he once had. 

18 months milestones:

  • Doesn’t point to show things to others.
  • Can’t walk.
  • Doesn’t copy others.
  • Doesn’t gain new words.
  • Doesn’t have at least 6 words.
  • Doesn’t notice when a caregiver leaves or returns.
  • Loses skills he once had. 

2 years milestones:

  • Doesn’t use 2-word phrases.
  • Doesn’t know what common things are for, like a brush, phone, fork, spoon.
  • Doesn’t copy actions and words. 
  • Doesn’t follow simple instructions. 
  • Doesn’t walk steady. 
  • Loses skills they once had. 

3 years milestones:

  • Falls down a lot or has trouble with stairs.
  • Drools or has very unclear speech. 
  • Can’t work simple toys (peg boards, simple puzzles, turning handle).
  • Doesn’t speak sentences.
  • Doesn’t understand simple instructions.
  • Doesn’t play pretend or make believe.
  • Doesn’t want to play with other children or with toys.
  • Doesn’t make eye contact.
  • Loses skills they once had. 

4 years milestones:

  • Can’t jump in place
  • Has trouble scribbling.
  • Shows no interest in interactive games or make- believe.
  • Ignores other children or doesn’t respond to people outside the family.
  • Resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet.
  • Can’t retell a favorite story.
  • Doesn’t understand “same” and “different”.
  • Doesn’t use “me” and “you” correctly.
  • Speaks unclearly.
  • Loses skills they once had.

5 years milestones:

  • Doesn’t show wide range of emotions.
  • Shows extreme behaviors (unusually fearful, aggressive, shy, or sad).
  • Unusually withdrawn.
  • Is easily distracted, cannot focus on one activity for more than 5 minutes.
  • Doesn’t respond to people.
  • Can’t tell the difference between what’s real and make-believe.
  • Can’t give first and last name.
  • Doesn’t draw pictures.
  • Can’t brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help.
  • Loses skills they once had. 

These are simply guidelines on when to talk to your doctor. Even if your child is doing some of them it is not necessarily a sign of a problem.

CDC Developmental Milestones Link

Thanks for stopping by!

Your Name
Patricia Bast DO

Dr. Patricia Bast was born and raised in Southern California. She earned a bachelors degree in science at UC Irvine, then went on to graduate medical school from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Northern California. After several years working as a pediatrician Dr. Bast choose to expand her training to include lactation consultant. Dr. Bast is now raising her children and taking care of patients in beautiful Georgia.

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Comments

  1. Erica Smith says

    July 21, 2020 at 4:39 am

    This is so helpful! Thank you for the breakdown! I’ll be referring back to this often ♥

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This year has brought big changes! New house, new This year has brought big changes! New house, new puppy, chickens, and lots of space to play. The best part has been watching these three get closer and have the space to run and ride together 💕

Check out our new little photo wall from @myphototracks the kids love seeing pictures of all their favorite people and the photos are extremely easy to switch out. 

#homestead #photowall #siblings #galleywall #chickens #family #motherhood
Instagram post 17887142012981002 Instagram post 17887142012981002
Noah is truly our miracle baby! He was born with t Noah is truly our miracle baby! He was born with the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around his neck resulting in a lack of oxygen. As a result he developed Childhood Apraxia and struggled to speak. Soon after his diagnosis he also began having seizures.  Now at 5yrs old, he is thriving! He is joy and love, compassion and strength! Happy 5th Birthday Noah! Praise God💕
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