My Baby Isn't Waving
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about isn't waving, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Waving typically develops between 9 and 12 months as a social imitation skill. It's a sweet milestone, and while its absence alone isn't usually a major concern, waving is a sign your baby is learning to communicate through gestures. If your baby is engaging socially in other ways, the wave will likely come.
Key takeaways
- Waving typically develops between 9 and 12 months as a social imitation skill. It's a sweet milestone, and while its absence alone isn't usually a major concern, waving is a sign your baby is learning to communicate through gestures. If your baby is engaging socially in other ways, the wave will likely come.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 12 months and uses other social gestures like smiling, reaching, or clapping, even if they haven't figured out waving yet.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines, waving typically develops between 9 and 12 months as a social imitation skill. It's a sweet milestone, and while its absence alone isn't usually a major concern, waving is a sign your baby is learning to communicate through gestures. If your baby is engaging socially in other ways, the wave will likely come. At 6-8 months, waving isn't expected yet. Your baby is still learning about social interactions - smiling at people, laughing, and starting to imitate facial expressions. These are the foundations that waving builds on. You can start modeling a wave during hellos and goodbyes, but don't expect it to click just yet. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 12 months and uses other social gestures like smiling, reaching, or clapping, even if they haven't figured out waving yet. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-8 months
Waving isn't expected yet. Your baby is still learning about social interactions - smiling at people, laughing, and starting to imitate facial expressions. These are the foundations that waving builds on. You can start modeling a wave during hellos and goodbyes, but don't expect it to click just yet.
9-11 months
This is when many babies learn to wave, usually by imitating you. Some babies wave enthusiastically right away, while others need to see it dozens of times before they try it themselves. You might see a partial wave - a hand opening and closing - before it becomes a full wave. All of that counts.
12-14 months
Most babies are waving by now, but if yours isn't, look at the bigger picture. Is your baby imitating other things you do (clapping, making sounds, banging toys)? Are they engaging socially - making eye contact, smiling at people, showing you things? If so, the wave itself is less important than the social skills behind it.
15-18 months
If your toddler still isn't waving and also isn't using other gestures (pointing, reaching up to be picked up, shaking head no), it's worth mentioning to your pediatrician. It's not that waving alone is a concern, but the absence of gestures as a group can indicate that social communication development needs a closer look.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't waving 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 doesn't wave, clap, or use any imitative gestures at all.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to imitate any of your actions or expressions - imitation is a fundamental social learning skill.
- 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 uses other social gestures like smiling, reaching, or clapping, even if they haven't figured out waving yet.
- Your baby waves inconsistently - they do it sometimes but not every time you prompt them. This is completely typical for a new skill.
- Your baby waves at objects, their reflection, or the wrong direction - they're learning the concept, and accuracy comes later.
- Your baby imitates other actions (clapping, peek-a-boo, making sounds) but hasn't picked up waving specifically.
- Your baby was premature - adjusted age applies to social milestones too.
- Your baby is over 12 months and doesn't wave, clap, or use any imitative gestures at all.
- Your baby doesn't seem to imitate any of your actions or expressions - imitation is a fundamental social learning skill.
- Your baby isn't waving and also doesn't seem interested in social games like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake.
- Your baby was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Your baby is over 15 months with no gestures of any kind (no waving, pointing, reaching up, head shaking) combined with limited eye contact and no words.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't waving — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 12 months and uses other social gestures like smiling, reaching, or clapping, even if they haven't figured out waving yet — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-8 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 was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt 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 waving normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't waving?
When is isn't waving normal?
What causes isn't waving?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't waving?
Is isn't waving normal at 6-8 months?
Is isn't waving normal at 9-11 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't waving?
Does isn't waving go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Waving.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't waving 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 doesn't wave, clap, or use any imitative gestures at all.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to imitate any of your actions or expressions - imitation is a fundamental social learning skill.
- 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 doesn't wave, clap, or use any imitative gestures at all.
- Your baby doesn't seem to imitate any of your actions or expressions - imitation is a fundamental social learning skill.
- Your baby isn't waving and also doesn't seem interested in social games like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Your baby is over 15 months with no gestures of any kind (no waving, pointing, reaching up, head shaking) combined with limited eye contact and no words.
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 waving are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was waving and other gestures and has stopped - any loss of previously acquired social skills needs prompt 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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