Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Babies That Parents Should Watch Out

Cerebral palsy often announces itself quietly, through a baby who feels unusually stiff in your arms, a child who isn't rolling over when other babies the same age are, or a toddler whose crawl looks noticeably lopsided. 

The CDC identifies cerebral palsy as the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in 323 children in the United States.

Recognizing the early signs does not change whether a child has CP, but it does determine how soon they get access to therapies that can make a meaningful difference.

What Do Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy Look Like Before 6 Months?

The first six months of a baby's life offer some of the earliest visible clues that something may be affecting motor development. Parents are often the first to notice because they handle their baby constantly and develop an intuitive sense of how the baby feels and moves.

According to the NICHD, signs that may appear before six months include:

• Inability to hold up the head when picked up from lying on the back
• Feeling unusually floppy (low muscle tone) or unusually stiff (high muscle tone) when held
• Legs that stiffen or cross into a scissor-like position when picked up
• Arching of the back and neck when held, as if the baby is pushing away from the caregiver
• Difficulty relaxing into being held, with limbs remaining rigid

Low muscle tone, called hypotonia, makes a baby feel like they are "slipping through" your hands. The Mayo Clinic describes this as a baby who struggles to hold up their head and whose body offers very little resistance when you support them. High muscle tone is the opposite: the baby feels tense, resistant to being cradled, and may hold their arms or legs in fixed positions.

These early signs can be subtle enough that they are attributed to normal newborn variation. That is part of what makes cerebral palsy difficult to diagnose in the very first months, and why pediatricians rely on repeated observation over time rather than a single snapshot.

What Signs Show Up Between 6 and 10 Months?

As a baby approaches and passes the six-month mark, motor development becomes easier to observe and compare against established milestones. 

This is the period when many parents begin to notice that something feels different, often because they can see that other babies the same age are doing things their child is not.

The NICHD identifies the following as signs of possible CP in babies older than six months:

• Not rolling over in either direction
• Difficulty bringing hands together or bringing hands to the mouth
• Reaching consistently with one hand while keeping the other in a fist
• Clearly favoring one side of the body when reaching, grasping, or rolling
• Delayed ability to sit independently

The asymmetric pattern, where a baby reliably uses one side of the body but not the other, is particularly significant. 

It can indicate hemiplegia, the form of CP that affects one side of the body.

What Signs Appear Between 10 Months and 2 Years?

By the time a baby reaches ten months, the motor expectations become clearer and gaps in development become more visible. 

This is also the period when the way a child moves, not just whether they move, starts to reveal important information.

According to the NICHD, signs in this age range include:

• Crawling in a lopsided way, pushing with one hand and leg while dragging the other side
• Scooting on the buttocks or hopping on the knees rather than crawling on all fours
• Not standing while holding onto furniture or other support by around 10 to 12 months
• Not walking independently by 12 to 18 months
• Not using simple words by 12 to 18 months, or simple two-word phrases by 24 months

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that motor symptoms from the type of brain disturbance that causes CP should begin before age 2, and that previously acquired motor milestones should not be lost by age 5. T

What Movement Problems Might Parents Notice at Home?

Beyond whether a baby is hitting milestones, the quality and character of a baby's movement can raise concerns. Parents are not expected to identify clinical movement disorders, but certain patterns are recognizable enough that they consistently prompt parents to mention them to a doctor.

Different subtypes of CP produce different movement characteristics. The NHS and Cleveland Clinic describe these in terms parents can recognize:

Spasticity (stiff or tight muscles)

• Limbs that feel rigid or resist being moved
• Jerky or abrupt movements rather than fluid ones
• A tendency to walk on tiptoes once a child begins walking
• Arms or legs that stay in fixed positions

Low muscle tone (hypotonia)

• A baby who feels floppy or boneless when held
• Difficulty holding up the head
• Sliding through a caregiver's grip rather than holding themselves up

Abnormal reflexes and posture

• Primitive reflexes that persist past the age at which they normally disappear
• Posture that looks asymmetric or twisted at rest
• Limbs that naturally fall into scissored or awkward positions

Involuntary or uncontrolled movements

• Slow, writhing movements of the arms or legs
• Sudden jerky movements the child does not appear to initiate intentionally
• Facial grimacing not tied to an obvious cause

These movement differences are usually consistent rather than episodic. They show up repeatedly under similar conditions and do not resolve with soothing or repositioning.

Are There Signs of CP Beyond Just Movement Problems?

Cerebral palsy is primarily a motor disorder, but the brain injury that causes it often affects more than just movement. Many children with CP have co-occurring conditions that can appear in infancy and early toddlerhood. 

Feeding and swallowing difficulties

• Difficulty latching or sucking effectively in early infancy
• Prolonged feeding times that exhaust both baby and caregiver
• Frequent choking or coughing during feeds
• Excessive drooling beyond what is typical for the age

Speech and communication delays

• Delayed or absent babbling
• Difficulty forming sounds due to poor motor control of the mouth and tongue
• Limited use of words by 12 to 18 months

Seizures or epilepsy The MSD Manuals note that seizures can accompany CP and may present as staring spells, sudden stiffening, or rhythmic jerking. They are not caused by CP itself but by the same underlying brain injury. To understand how seizures alongside a CP diagnosis can factor into a legal case, you can read about a recovery secured for a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy and seizures due to medical malpractice.

Vision and hearing problems Strabismus (crossed or wandering eyes), difficulty tracking moving objects, and hearing loss can all occur alongside CP. According to CDC prevalence data, vision and hearing impairments are among the more common associated conditions.

Learning and cognitive differences CDC surveillance data indicates that a significant portion of children with CP have some level of learning difficulty, though many others have entirely typical intelligence. Importantly, children with dyskinetic CP in particular are often cognitively typical but may appear otherwise due to the degree of motor impairment affecting speech and expression.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Cerebral Palsy

CP is generally diagnosed during the first or second year of life, though the CDC notes that mild cases can be difficult to confirm until a child is older. 

Diagnosis is not a single test. It is a process that unfolds across multiple appointments and, in most cases, involves imaging of the brain.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening at the 9-month, 18-month, and 24- or 30-month well-child visits. 

These screenings exist precisely because many movement concerns become visible within this window. 

At each visit, the pediatrician observes how the child moves, asks about what parents have noticed at home, and reviews whether the child is meeting age-appropriate milestones.

If those screenings raise concerns, the next step is a full developmental and medical evaluation. According to the CDC, this evaluation includes:

• Assessment of motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes, and posture
• A detailed medical history including pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• Referral to specialists such as a developmental pediatrician, child neurologist, or pediatric physiatrist
• Brain imaging, typically an MRI, to identify the location and nature of any brain injury
• In some cases, EEG testing, genetic screening, or metabolic testing to rule out other causes

What Should Parents in New York Do If They Notice These Signs

If something feels off, it is worth acting on that instinct rather than waiting to see if the child catches up. 

The starting point is always the pediatrician, but in New York, there are also formal pathways to early evaluation and services that do not require a diagnosis first.

New York State Early Intervention Program

New York's Early Intervention Program (EIP), administered by the New York State Department of Health under New York Public Health Law Article 25, serves children from birth through age 3 who have a confirmed disability or an established developmental delay. 

Eligible children can receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, vision services, assistive technology, and family support services. A diagnosis is not required to request an evaluation.

New York City Early Intervention

For families in New York City specifically, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene runs a local Early Intervention Program for children from birth to age 3. Evaluations are free, and services are provided at no cost to families regardless of income. 

Parents can make a referral by calling 311 and asking for Early Intervention, or through the city's online referral portal. Children who are evaluated but do not qualify for services may still be enrolled in a free developmental monitoring program.

What Rights and Supports Are Available for Children with Cerebral Palsy in New York

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its federal regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 300, New York's State Education Department requires that eligible children receive special education and related services. 

This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy when necessary for a child to access their education. CP consistently qualifies under IDEA as either an orthopedic impairment or other health impairment depending on the child's presentation.

New York implements IDEA through Parts 200 and 201 of the Commissioner's Regulations, which govern evaluation, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and placement decisions. The ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provide additional protections against discrimination in school, employment, and public accommodations.

For supports beyond the school system, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) administers services including service coordination, community habilitation, residential options, and family supports for eligible individuals. 

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, including the OPWDD waiver and the Care at Home program, fund services like personal care, respite, and therapies that allow people with CP to live in community settings.

Financial supports available to New York families include:

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for qualifying children based on disability severity and family income, administered through the Social Security Administration
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) for qualifying adults with CP based on work history
• NY ABLE, a state-sponsored tax-advantaged savings program for individuals whose disability began before age 26, which allows saving for disability-related expenses without affecting SSI eligibility up to specified limits

Some Cerebral Palsy Cases May Be Linked to Birth Injury

Delayed response to fetal distress, oxygen deprivation or mistakes during labor and delivery can contribute to cerebral palsy in some children. Speak with a legal team about reviewing hospital and doctor care.

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Summing It Up

Cerebral palsy does not always announce itself loudly. For many families, the early signs are subtle enough to be dismissed at first and only become unmistakable in retrospect. 

A baby who feels too stiff or too floppy, a child who crawls with a lopsided drag, a toddler who is not walking at 18 months while their peers are running: these are the moments that send parents looking for answers.

The most important thing to understand is that noticing these signs and acting on them is the right call. It does not mean catastrophizing. It means getting a child evaluated at an age when early intervention can make a meaningful difference.

For New York families, the pathway to that evaluation is accessible. A call to the pediatrician, a referral to Early Intervention, or a call to 311 in New York City are all concrete starting points. A

nd for families with questions about whether a birth injury contributed to their child's diagnosis, those questions are worth asking with proper legal and medical guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions 

At what age do signs of cerebral palsy first appear?

Signs of cerebral palsy can appear as early as the first few months of life, particularly in the form of abnormal muscle tone, difficulty holding up the head, or unusual posture. The NICHD identifies specific red flags for babies under 6 months, 6 to 10 months, and beyond. Mild cases may not be clearly apparent until 18 months or later, which is part of why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening at 9, 18, and 24 to 30 months regardless of whether parents have noticed concerns.

What does it look like when a baby has abnormal muscle tone?

Abnormal muscle tone presents in two directions. High tone, called spasticity, makes a baby feel stiff and rigid, with limbs that resist movement and may lock into fixed positions. Low tone, called hypotonia, makes a baby feel floppy, with difficulty holding up the head and a tendency to slide through a caregiver's hands. 

Is it normal for a baby to favor one hand before age 1?

A strong hand preference before 12 months is generally considered a red flag rather than normal development. Most children do not show a clear preference for one hand until 18 months to 2 years. A baby who consistently reaches with one hand while keeping the other in a fist, or who rolls and crawls using one side of the body much more than the other, may be showing early signs of hemiplegia, the form of CP that affects one side of the body. This is worth raising with a pediatrician promptly.

Can cerebral palsy get better or worse over time?

Cerebral palsy is non-progressive, meaning the underlying brain injury does not worsen. The damage is permanent but stable. However, the physical effects of CP, such as muscle stiffness, contractures, and posture problems, can become more significant without proper management. Early and consistent therapy does not cure CP but can substantially improve function, mobility, and quality of life. This is why early diagnosis and access to services like New York's Early Intervention Program matters as much as it does.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed and what tests are used?

Diagnosis involves developmental screening at well-child visits, followed by a full medical evaluation if concerns arise. The CDC outlines this as a multi-step process involving assessment of motor skills, reflexes, muscle tone, and developmental history, plus referral to specialists such as a child neurologist or developmental pediatrician. Brain MRI is the most commonly used imaging tool and can often identify the location and nature of any brain injury. Some children also undergo EEG testing or genetic screening to rule out other conditions.

What New York services are available for a baby who may have cerebral palsy?

New York's Early Intervention Program, established under New York Public Health Law Article 25, provides evaluation and services for children from birth through age 3 who have a developmental disability or delay. A formal CP diagnosis is not required to access an evaluation. Services available through the program include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, assistive technology, and family support. In New York City, families can initiate the process by calling 311 and asking for Early Intervention. 

Could something that happened during birth have caused my child's cerebral palsy?

Some cases of CP are associated with preventable events during labor and delivery, including delayed response to fetal distress, failure to perform a timely emergency C-section, or mismanagement of a complicated labor.  ACOG criteria identify spastic quadriplegic and dyskinetic CP as the types most closely linked to oxygen deprivation during birth.