Baby Not Showing Things to Parents
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, Zero to Three guidelines
Last reviewed:
Behavioral development varies greatly from child to child. If you have noticed baby not showing things to parents, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Showing objects to share interest, such as holding up a toy for you to see, typically develops between 10 and 14 months. This is a key joint attention skill that demonstrates your baby wants to share experiences with you. If your child is not showing objects to share by 15 months, mention it to your pediatrician, as it is an important social communication milestone.
Key takeaways
- Showing objects to share interest, such as holding up a toy for you to see, typically develops between 10 and 14 months. This is a key joint attention skill that demonstrates your baby wants to share experiences with you. If your child is not showing objects to share by 15 months, mention it to your pediatrician, as it is an important social communication milestone.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 12 months and is not yet holding up objects to show
- Call your doctor if: Your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, Zero to Three guidelines, showing objects to share interest, such as holding up a toy for you to see, typically develops between 10 and 14 months. This is a key joint attention skill that demonstrates your baby wants to share experiences with you. If your child is not showing objects to share by 15 months, mention it to your pediatrician, as it is an important social communication milestone. At 6-9 months, babies are beginning to develop joint attention. They may follow your gaze and look at things you point to. Showing objects has not yet developed. They focus primarily on exploring objects themselves. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 12 months and is not yet holding up objects to show. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-9 months
Babies are beginning to develop joint attention. They may follow your gaze and look at things you point to. Showing objects has not yet developed. They focus primarily on exploring objects themselves.
9-12 months
Some babies begin holding up objects to show them to caregivers. This is different from reaching to ask for help. When showing, the baby holds the object up and looks at your face to share the experience.
12-15 months
Showing objects is typically well-established. Your baby may bring you a book, hold up a toy, or display a found object with clear excitement about sharing. This skill is closely related to joint attention and pointing.
15-18 months
If your child has never shown you objects to share by 15 months, especially alongside limited pointing and reduced eye contact, a developmental screening is recommended. These joint attention skills are important early social communication milestones.
18-24 months
Showing objects continues alongside other sharing behaviors. Children bring things to show and tell about. Absence of these sharing behaviors at this age warrants evaluation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not showing things to parents and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 15 months and has never held up objects to share interest.
- Mention if your baby explores objects alone without any desire to share the experience with you.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 12 months and is not yet holding up objects to show
- Your baby shows objects to familiar people but not strangers
- Your baby shows objects sometimes but not consistently
- Your baby is beginning to point and show around 12 months
- Your baby is over 15 months and has never held up objects to share interest
- Your baby explores objects alone without any desire to share the experience with you
- Absent showing is combined with limited pointing, reduced eye contact, and not responding to name
- Your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing
- Your baby had been showing objects and has stopped alongside other skill regression
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not showing things to parents — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 12 months and is not yet holding up objects to show — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-9 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Respond consistently and calmly to your baby's behavior. Maintain predictable daily routines.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing.
Related Conditions
Baby Not Sharing Attention (No Joint Attention)
Joint attention - the ability to share focus on something with another person - is one of the most important social-communication skills that develops between 9 and 14 months. It includes following someone's point or gaze, pointing to show you something interesting, and looking back and forth between you and an object. This skill is the foundation for language learning and social development.
My Baby Isn't Pointing
Pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too.
Baby Not Handing Objects to Others
Giving objects to others, either when asked or spontaneously, typically develops between 10 and 14 months. This skill reflects both social communication and the ability to release a grasped object intentionally. If your child does not give objects by 15 to 16 months, mention it at your next well-child visit.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby not showing things to parents normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not showing things to parents?
When is baby not showing things to parents normal?
What causes baby not showing things to parents?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not showing things to parents?
Is baby not showing things to parents normal at 6-9 months?
Is baby not showing things to parents normal at 9-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not showing things to parents?
Does baby not showing things to parents go away on its own?
References
- [1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important Milestones: Your Child By One Year. CDC
- [2]American Academy of Pediatrics. Social Development: 8 to 12 Months. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [3]Zero to Three. Joint Attention Development. Zero to Three
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Showing Things to Parents.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not showing things to parents and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 15 months and has never held up objects to share interest.
- Mention if your baby explores objects alone without any desire to share the experience with you.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 15 months and has never held up objects to share interest
- Your baby explores objects alone without any desire to share the experience with you
- Absent showing is combined with limited pointing, reduced eye contact, and not responding to name
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing
- Your baby had been showing objects and has stopped alongside other skill regression
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby not showing things to parents are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby shows no joint attention behaviors of any kind by 15 months, including no showing, pointing, or gaze sharing.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Behavior Concerns
Baby Not Sharing Attention (No Joint Attention)
Joint attention - the ability to share focus on something with another person - is one of the most important social-communication skills that develops between 9 and 14 months. It includes following someone's point or gaze, pointing to show you something interesting, and looking back and forth between you and an object. This skill is the foundation for language learning and social development.
My Baby Isn't Pointing
Pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too.
Baby Not Handing Objects to Others
Giving objects to others, either when asked or spontaneously, typically develops between 10 and 14 months. This skill reflects both social communication and the ability to release a grasped object intentionally. If your child does not give objects by 15 to 16 months, mention it at your next well-child visit.
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