Babies typically start clapping between 8 and 12 months, often first by banging objects or their hands together, evolving into purposeful clapping for excitement or imitation around 9-12 months, with mastery sometimes taking until 15 months, but every baby develops at their own pace, so early or slightly later is normal.
When to expect it: It could be as early as 6 months, when baby sits up on their own, but clapping is more likely to start closer to 8 or 9 months, Altmann says—and it may take a few more months for baby to master it. According to the CDC, it may take as long as 15 months for a child to master clapping.
Children can start showing signs and symptoms of this disorder at a very young age. A few of the symptoms that appear in children from the video listed below include: Hand clapping. Frequently walking on tiptoes.
my 8 months baby clapping hands while playing is this normal
Baby will begin understanding that blowing kisses means “love” around 15 months, the same time they'll initiate other physical signs of affection, including cuddling and hugging.
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage.
6-12 Months: Increased Affection and Mobility
They might reach out for cuddles, snuggle into you when held, and show joy through laughter and hugs. This period sees an increase in affectionate behavior as babies start to associate cuddling with comfort and love.
When do babies wave? Little ones may start to wave at the tail end of the 6 - 9 month age range. They may wiggle their hand [3] to wave closer to 11 months and then meaningfully wave "bye-bye" around their first birthday [2].
Red flags for a 7-month-old include not rolling over, not sitting unsupported, poor eye contact, lack of babbling or responding to sounds, extreme stiffness or floppiness, not bringing objects to mouth or swapping hands, and showing no reaction to caregivers' emotions, which warrants a call to the pediatrician for developmental concerns.
This might include your baby stiffening their arms or extending their fingers at an angle. What if they're pointing and gesturing much less than their neuro-typical friends? It might mean your baby is developing differently, or it could be an early indicator that your child is on the autism spectrum.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Signs of autism in children
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Top Signs Your Baby May Be Gifted
Most babies can bang two objects together by 9 months—and that includes their hands! By 12 to 13 months this will evolve into recognizable clapping. (This is about the same time your tyke will be able to play pat-a-cake.) And by 15 months your baby should be clapping in excitement, according to the CDC.
By this age, most babies can roll over in both directions even in their sleep. Most babies also can sit on their own, while others need a little support. You might notice your baby beginning to scoot, rock back and forth, or even crawl across the room. Some babies this age can pull themselves to a standing position.
Your baby is babbling. They might repeat the same sounds loudly, and their babble might even have up-and-down tones of speech. If your baby is an early talker, you might hear them say 1-2 words like 'mama' or 'dada', but they won't know what these words mean.
Pointing is a significant developmental milestone that babies often achieve around 8 to 12 months. At first, pointing may be an action used through imitation or to explore an object, but by 12 to 24 months of age, it may be used to communicate their interests or desires and to engage with others.
Babies will often point to things with one finger between 9 and 12 months; before that, they may pat items they're interested in, she says. “It takes coordination to isolate that one finger to have a traditional finger-point,” adds Wiley. The gesture involves communication and fine motor skills, Fisher says.
While stimming behaviors are often harmless and natural, it's essential to pay attention if they start to interfere with daily life or are connected to other developmental concerns.
Separation anxiety, on the other hand, can cause much longer phases of clinginess. According to the AAP, many children begin having some feelings of separation anxiety around the time they're 8 months old, with the phase peaking between 10 and 18 months and mostly resolving by the time a child turns 2.
The "4 8 12 hug rule," popularized by family therapist Virginia Satir, suggests humans need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth, emphasizing the physiological and psychological benefits of touch, like stress reduction and oxytocin release, though studies suggest hug length (around 20 seconds) matters more than just the number.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.