My Baby Isn't Clapping
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about isn't clapping, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Clapping typically develops between 9 and 12 months and is both a fine motor skill and a social milestone - your baby needs the coordination to bring their hands together at midline AND the social motivation to imitate you. Many babies clap closer to their first birthday, and that is perfectly normal.
Key takeaways
- Clapping typically develops between 9 and 12 months and is both a fine motor skill and a social milestone - your baby needs the coordination to bring their hands together at midline AND the social motivation to imitate you. Many babies clap closer to their first birthday, and that is perfectly normal.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 10 months - clapping is still developing and many babies don't start until closer to 12 months.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP guidelines, clapping typically develops between 9 and 12 months and is both a fine motor skill and a social milestone - your baby needs the coordination to bring their hands together at midline AND the social motivation to imitate you. Many babies clap closer to their first birthday, and that is perfectly normal. At 6-8 months, most babies are not clapping at this age, so there is nothing to worry about. Your baby may be banging toys on surfaces or bringing objects to midline, which are precursor skills. These movements show they're developing the coordination they'll eventually use for clapping. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 10 months - clapping is still developing and many babies don't start until closer to 12 months. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-8 months
Most babies are not clapping at this age, so there is nothing to worry about. Your baby may be banging toys on surfaces or bringing objects to midline, which are precursor skills. These movements show they're developing the coordination they'll eventually use for clapping.
9-10 months
This is when many babies start clapping, often in response to a parent clapping first or during a favorite song. If your baby isn't clapping yet, watch for other imitation behaviors - do they wave, bang two toys together, or mimic facial expressions? These show the social and motor building blocks are developing.
11-12 months
Most babies are clapping by 12 months. If yours isn't, consider whether they're imitating other gestures like waving or reaching up to be held. Clapping is one of many social-motor skills, and some babies express themselves differently. If your baby isn't imitating any gestures by 12 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
13-15 months
If your toddler still isn't clapping or imitating other gestures by this age, it is worth discussing with your pediatrician. The concern at this point is less about the clapping itself and more about whether your child is imitating actions and engaging socially, which are important developmental signals.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't clapping 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 12 months and isn't clapping or imitating any gestures at all.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice or respond when you model clapping, waving, or other social gestures.
- 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 10 months - clapping is still developing and many babies don't start until closer to 12 months.
- Your baby bangs toys together or on surfaces - this shows they can bring hands to midline and use them together, which is the motor prerequisite for clapping.
- Your baby imitates other gestures like waving, blowing kisses, or raising arms - they're socially engaged even without clapping.
- Your baby claps inconsistently or only during certain songs or games - the skill is emerging.
- Your baby is over 12 months and isn't clapping or imitating any gestures at all.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice or respond when you model clapping, waving, or other social gestures.
- Your baby isn't bringing their hands together at midline for any activity by 9-10 months.
- Your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
- Your baby shows no interest in social interaction, doesn't make eye contact, and isn't imitating any behaviors by 12 months - discuss with your pediatrician promptly.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't clapping — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 10 months - clapping is still developing and many babies don't start until closer to 12 months — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-8 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
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 isn't clapping normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't clapping?
When is isn't clapping normal?
What causes isn't clapping?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't clapping?
Is isn't clapping normal at 6-8 months?
Is isn't clapping normal at 9-10 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't clapping?
Does isn't clapping go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Clapping.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't clapping 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 12 months and isn't clapping or imitating any gestures at all.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice or respond when you model clapping, waving, or other social gestures.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 12 months and isn't clapping or imitating any gestures at all.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice or respond when you model clapping, waving, or other social gestures.
- Your baby isn't bringing their hands together at midline for any activity by 9-10 months.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
- Your baby shows no interest in social interaction, doesn't make eye contact, and isn't imitating any behaviors by 12 months - discuss with your pediatrician promptly.
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 isn't clapping are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was clapping and has stopped, along with loss of other social or motor skills - regression always warrants evaluation.
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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