My Toddler Is Losing Motor Abilities
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler is losing motor abilities, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Loss of motor skills (regression) is always a red flag that requires prompt medical evaluation. Unlike a temporary setback during illness, true regression means your child can no longer do things they previously did consistently. This can indicate neurological conditions, metabolic disorders, or other treatable conditions. Early evaluation is critical.
Key takeaways
- Loss of motor skills (regression) is always a red flag that requires prompt medical evaluation. Unlike a temporary setback during illness, true regression means your child can no longer do things they previously did consistently. This can indicate neurological conditions, metabolic disorders, or other treatable conditions. Early evaluation is critical.
- Usually normal when: Temporary setback during illness that resolves.
- Call your doctor if: Clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, loss of motor skills (regression) is always a red flag that requires prompt medical evaluation. Unlike a temporary setback during illness, true regression means your child can no longer do things they previously did consistently. This can indicate neurological conditions, metabolic disorders, or other treatable conditions. Early evaluation is critical. At 6-12 months, loss of motor skills at this age, such as losing the ability to sit, reach, or roll, requires urgent evaluation. Conditions like infantile spasms or neurodegenerative disorders can present with regression at this age. Do not delay seeking evaluation. It is generally considered normal when temporary setback during illness that resolves. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-12 months
Loss of motor skills at this age, such as losing the ability to sit, reach, or roll, requires urgent evaluation. Conditions like infantile spasms or neurodegenerative disorders can present with regression at this age. Do not delay seeking evaluation.
12-18 months
If your child was walking and stops, or loses hand function they previously had, seek immediate evaluation. Rett syndrome, metabolic disorders, and other conditions can present with regression during this period.
18-24 months
True regression in motor skills is always concerning. Note: temporary setbacks during illness, teething, or emotional stress are different from true regression. True regression means the skill does not come back when the illness or stress resolves.
2-4 years
Motor regression at any age is a medical emergency that warrants same-day evaluation. The earlier the cause is identified, the better the potential outcomes for treatment.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler is losing motor abilities and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child seems less capable than they were a few weeks ago.
- Mention if skills that were mastered have not returned.
- 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
- Temporary setback during illness that resolves.
- Your child practices new skills and seems to forget old ones briefly.
- Skill returns within a few days.
- Your child seems less capable than they were a few weeks ago.
- Skills that were mastered have not returned.
- Your child is becoming clumsier or less coordinated.
- Clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
- Progressive weakness or loss of abilities.
- Regression accompanied by seizures, altered consciousness, or other new symptoms.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler is losing motor abilities — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that temporary setback during illness that resolves — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-12 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 clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
Related Conditions
My Toddler's Coordination Is Getting Worse
While occasional clumsiness is normal in toddlers who are mastering new skills, coordination that is genuinely worsening over time is a red flag that needs medical evaluation. True deterioration in coordination can indicate neurological conditions, inner ear problems, or other treatable causes. If your child was previously coordinated and is becoming progressively less so, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Signs of Muscle Loss in My Baby
Muscle wasting (atrophy) in babies is always a concern that requires prompt evaluation. It can indicate neuromuscular conditions, disuse from pain or immobilization, or nutritional deficiency. If you notice your baby's muscles are getting smaller or their limbs are becoming thinner, contact your pediatrician for 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 my toddler is losing motor abilities normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler is losing motor abilities?
When is my toddler is losing motor abilities normal?
What causes my toddler is losing motor abilities?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler is losing motor abilities?
Is my toddler is losing motor abilities normal at 6-12 months?
Is my toddler is losing motor abilities normal at 12-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler is losing motor abilities?
Does my toddler is losing motor abilities go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Is Losing Motor Abilities.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler is losing motor abilities and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child seems less capable than they were a few weeks ago.
- Mention if skills that were mastered have not returned.
- 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 child seems less capable than they were a few weeks ago.
- Skills that were mastered have not returned.
- Your child is becoming clumsier or less coordinated.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
- Progressive weakness or loss of abilities.
- Regression accompanied by seizures, altered consciousness, or other new symptoms.
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 my toddler is losing motor abilities are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if clear loss of motor skills that does not recover.
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 Physical Concerns
My Toddler's Coordination Is Getting Worse
While occasional clumsiness is normal in toddlers who are mastering new skills, coordination that is genuinely worsening over time is a red flag that needs medical evaluation. True deterioration in coordination can indicate neurological conditions, inner ear problems, or other treatable causes. If your child was previously coordinated and is becoming progressively less so, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Signs of Muscle Loss in My Baby
Muscle wasting (atrophy) in babies is always a concern that requires prompt evaluation. It can indicate neuromuscular conditions, disuse from pain or immobilization, or nutritional deficiency. If you notice your baby's muscles are getting smaller or their limbs are becoming thinner, contact your pediatrician for evaluation.
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