Baby Not Using Gestures
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about baby not using gestures, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Gestures - like pointing, waving, reaching, clapping, and shaking their head - are among the most important early communication milestones. Most babies start using gestures between 9 and 12 months. Gestures actually predict later language development better than early words do, so if your baby is gesturing, their language is likely developing well even if words are slow to come.
Key takeaways
- Gestures - like pointing, waving, reaching, clapping, and shaking their head - are among the most important early communication milestones. Most babies start using gestures between 9 and 12 months. Gestures actually predict later language development better than early words do, so if your baby is gesturing, their language is likely developing well even if words are slow to come.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 9 months and is reaching for objects and people, even if specific gestures like pointing or waving haven't appeared yet.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, NIH guidelines, gestures - like pointing, waving, reaching, clapping, and shaking their head - are among the most important early communication milestones. Most babies start using gestures between 9 and 12 months. Gestures actually predict later language development better than early words do, so if your baby is gesturing, their language is likely developing well even if words are slow to come. At 6-9 months, early gestures like reaching with arms to be picked up typically appear during this period. Your baby may also start to show objects by holding them up. These are pre-intentional gestures - your baby is communicating needs through movement before they can do it with sounds. Not all babies gesture this early, and that's fine. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 9 months and is reaching for objects and people, even if specific gestures like pointing or waving haven't appeared yet. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-9 months
Early gestures like reaching with arms to be picked up typically appear during this period. Your baby may also start to show objects by holding them up. These are pre-intentional gestures - your baby is communicating needs through movement before they can do it with sounds. Not all babies gesture this early, and that's fine.
9-12 months
This is the key window for gesture development. By 12 months, most babies are pointing to things they want or find interesting, waving bye-bye, clapping, and reaching with arms up to be held. Pointing is especially important - it shows your baby understands that they can direct your attention to something, which is a foundational communication skill.
12-15 months
Gestures should be well established by now. Your baby should be pointing to show you things (not just to request them), shaking their head for "no," and using several communicative gestures. If your baby is not using any gestures by 12 months, this is worth discussing with your pediatrician - absence of gestures by this age is a more reliable red flag than absence of words.
15-18 months
By this age, gestures and words should begin working together - your toddler might point at a dog and say "duh!" or wave and say "bye." If your child is 15 months or older and not pointing, not waving, and not using other gestures, a developmental evaluation is recommended. Limited gestures at this age are associated with later language and social communication difficulties.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not using gestures 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 12 months old and doesn't point at anything - not to request things and not to show you things.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and doesn't use any communicative gestures - no waving, no reaching to be held, no head shaking.
- 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 9 months and is reaching for objects and people, even if specific gestures like pointing or waving haven't appeared yet.
- Your baby uses some gestures but not all of them - for example, they point but don't wave, or they reach but don't clap. Different gestures emerge at different times.
- Your baby waves or claps during play but not always on cue when you ask them to - spontaneous gestures matter more than performing on demand.
- Your baby is 9-10 months and just starting to use gestures inconsistently - they're in the learning phase.
- Your baby is 12 months old and doesn't point at anything - not to request things and not to show you things.
- Your baby is over 12 months and doesn't use any communicative gestures - no waving, no reaching to be held, no head shaking.
- Your baby doesn't follow your point - when you point at something, they don't look where you're pointing.
- Your toddler is 15 months or older and relies entirely on crying or fussing to communicate needs, without pointing or gesturing.
- Your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
- Your baby was using gestures and has stopped - loss of previously acquired gestures is a form of regression that should be evaluated right away.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not using gestures — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 9 months and is reaching for objects and people, even if specific gestures like pointing or waving haven't appeared yet — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-9 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental 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 baby not using gestures normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not using gestures?
When is baby not using gestures normal?
What causes baby not using gestures?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not using gestures?
Is baby not using gestures normal at 6-9 months?
Is baby not using gestures normal at 9-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not using gestures?
Does baby not using gestures go away on its own?
References
- [1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important Milestones: Your Baby By Twelve Months. CDC
- [2]American Academy of Pediatrics. Communication and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [3]National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Speech and Language Developmental Milestones. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Using Gestures.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not using gestures 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 12 months old and doesn't point at anything - not to request things and not to show you things.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and doesn't use any communicative gestures - no waving, no reaching to be held, no head shaking.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is 12 months old and doesn't point at anything - not to request things and not to show you things.
- Your baby is over 12 months and doesn't use any communicative gestures - no waving, no reaching to be held, no head shaking.
- Your baby doesn't follow your point - when you point at something, they don't look where you're pointing.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
- Your baby was using gestures and has stopped - loss of previously acquired gestures is a form of regression that should be evaluated right away.
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 using gestures are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is over 12 months with no gestures, no pointing, limited eye contact, and doesn't respond to their name - this combination warrants a prompt developmental 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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