Early Developmental Red Flags in Babies & Toddlers: A Pune Parent’s Guide

Every child grows at their own pace, but some early signs can help you understand when your child may benefit from additional support.

Early identification = early intervention = better outcomes.

This guide breaks down red flags by age, across motor, sensory, communication, and social-emotional development.

Each section also includes When to Seek Help, to make it easier for parents.

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0–6 Months: Early Red Flags

Motor

•Not lifting head during tummy time

•Very stiff or very floppy body tone

•Limited movement of arms or legs

•Not rolling by 6 months

Sensory

•Overreacts to touch or sound

•Very little reaction to sensory input

•Difficulty calming, fussy or inconsolable

•Prefers staring at lights or fans

Communication

•Not making cooing sounds

•Not responding to familiar voices

•No attempt to vocalize or engage

Social–Emotional

•Limited or absent eye contact

•Not smiling socially

•Little interest in people

When to Seek Help?

If your baby’s movements feel “different,” if they have poor head/neck control, limited eye contact, or difficulty calming, an early developmental check by a pediatric physiotherapist or psychologist can help ensure healthy progress.

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6–12 Months: Red Flags to Watch For

Motor

•Not sitting without support by 8 months

•Not attempting to crawl or shift weight

•Difficulty transitioning between positions

•Poor trunk control or balance

Sensory

•Overreacts to certain sounds or textures

•Avoids tummy time or movement

•Craves constant pressure or bouncing

Communication

•Not babbling (ma-ma, ba-ba)

•Not responding to their name

•Reduced vocal play or imitation

Social–Emotional

•No back-and-forth interactions

•Limited expressions or smiles

•Prefers objects over people

When to Seek Help?

A child who is not sitting, crawling, babbling, or engaging socially by this stage may benefit from an evaluation at a multidisciplinary child development centre to check motor, sensory, emotional and communication milestones.

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12–18 Months: Important Red Flags

Motor

•Not standing or taking steps by 15 months

•Frequent falls or poor balance

•Persistent toe-walking

•Difficulty climbing or navigating surfaces

Sensory

•Strong reactions to different textures

•Fear of swings or uneven surfaces

•Constant movement-seeking

Communication

•No clear words by 15–18 months

•Rarely imitates sounds, gestures or actions

•Does not point to show or request

Social–Emotional

•Difficulty engaging in simple play

•Limited eye contact

•Prefers solitary play most of the time

When to Seek Help?

If your toddler isn’t using words, pointing, imitating or showing interest in interaction, or shows strong sensory sensitivities, it’s time to consult a speech therapist, psychologist or pediatric physiotherapist trained in early intervention.

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18–24 Months: Key Red Flags

Motor

•Difficulty walking, running or climbing confidently

•Poor coordination or frequent tripping

•In-toeing / out-toeing / visible gait issues

Sensory

•Meltdowns triggered by noise, touch or change

•Avoids messy play (water, sand, paint)

•Seeks excessive movement (spinning, jumping)

Communication

•No 2-word combinations (“mama come”)

•Limited vocabulary

•Difficulty following simple instructions

•Speech not understandable at all

Social–Emotional

•Does not show or share interest

•Limited pretend play

•Rigid routines or repetitive behaviours

•Difficulty calming after upset

When to Seek Help?

If your child isn’t combining words, avoids interaction, struggles with regulation or movement, or shows strong sensory differences, seek a multidisciplinary assessment (physio + speech + psychology) for clarity.

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2–4 Years: Preschool Red Flags

Motor

•Difficulty with running, jumping or hopping

•Poor balance or coordination

•Struggles with fine motor tasks (colouring, holding crayons)

Sensory

•Extreme reactions to noises or textures

•Difficulty sitting for meals or classroom tasks

•Seeks intense movement (crashing, jumping, pushing)

Communication

•Limited sentence formation

•Unclear speech

•Difficulty answering questions or expressing needs

Social–Emotional

•Frequent tantrums or emotional overwhelm

•Difficulty playing with peers

•Limited pretend play or imagination

•Challenges with transitions or new routines

When to Seek Help?

If daily routines (dressing, meals, school tasks, social play) become difficult due to behaviour, sensory issues, or delayed communication, it’s time to visit a child development centre for an early intervention plan.

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Where to Seek Help in Pune?

At BabySteps Pediatric Development Centre (Model Colony, Pune), we assess and support children through:

•Pediatric Physiotherapy (NDT & Sensory Integration)

•Child Psychology & Behavioural Assessments

•Speech & Language Therapy

•Play Therapy

•Orthotics & Prosthetics Support

Early checks are gentle, child-led and extremely reassuring for parents.

Early identification empowers early action, and that gives children the best start.