The first year of a baby’s life is full of milestones, personality changes, and constant growth. But for some families, certain behaviors or delays may be early signs of a birth injury. These issues sometimes go unnoticed because they develop slowly or resemble common childhood quirks. Many birth injuries do not become obvious in the delivery room. Instead, they reveal themselves gradually as a child misses developmental milestones, struggles physically, or displays symptoms that parents can’t quite explain.
Because early intervention can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes, it is crucial for parents to understand which symptoms may signal an underlying birth injury. Below are some of the most commonly overlooked signs during a baby’s first year.
1. Developmental Delays That Don’t Match Typical Milestones
Every child grows at their own pace, but consistent delays can be a red flag. Parents should pay attention to whether their child is meeting or significantly missing these milestones:
- Holding their head up by 3–4 months
- Rolling over by 4–6 months
- Sitting without support by 6–8 months
- Crawling by 9–11 months
- Attempting to stand by 12 months
A pattern of missed milestones may indicate conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), nerve damage, or motor-coordination disorders linked to oxygen deprivation during labor or improper delivery method.
Similar Post: What Are the Early Signs of a Hypoxic Birth Injury?
2. Abnormal Muscle Tone (Too Stiff or Too Floppy)
Babies with birth injuries may have muscle tone irregularities that stand out during diaper changes, feedings, or playtime:
- Hypertonia (stiffness): Arms or legs that resist bending, clenched fists that rarely relax, rigid posture
- Hypotonia (floppiness): “Rag doll” limpness, difficulty controlling the head, trouble bringing hands to the mouth
These issues often indicate damage to the brain or central nervous system during birth.
3. Feeding Difficulties and Trouble Gaining Weight
Many parents and even pediatricians initially dismiss feeding problems as normal newborn issues, but persistent symptoms may suggest neurological or muscular problems caused by a birth injury.
Watch for:
- Poor latching
- Difficulty coordinating sucking and swallowing
- Frequent choking or gagging
- Arching of the back during feeds
- Very slow weight gain
Feeding challenges are common in children with HIE, brain bleeds, or facial nerve injuries.
4. Persistent Favoring of One Side of the Body
If a baby consistently uses one side of their body more than the other, this may signal:
- A brachial plexus injury (often from shoulder dystocia or improper pulling during delivery)
- Nerve damage
- Mild forms of cerebral palsy
Signs include:
- Preference for grabbing toys with one hand
- Limited movement on one side
- One arm seeming weaker or limp
- Asymmetrical crawling or rolling
These subtle symptoms often go undetected for months.
5. Unusual Breathing Patterns or Frequent Respiratory Problems
Breathing issues can show up early but may not be immediately tied to birth trauma. Concerning patterns include:
- Rapid breathing
- Long pauses in breathing (apnea)
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Noisy breathing or wheezing
Birth complications involving oxygen deprivation can affect lung and brain function, leading to chronic breathing concerns.
6. Poor Visual Tracking or Reduced Eye Contact
While newborn vision is limited, babies usually begin to track faces and objects by 2–3 months. Signs of visual or neurological issues include:
- Eyes that do not follow objects
- Minimal or no eye contact
- One or both eyes drifting inward or outward
- Delayed reaction to bright lights
These symptoms can result from optic nerve injury, brain damage, or HIE.
7. Excessive Irritability or Inconsolable Crying
Some babies cry more than others, but certain patterns point to neurological distress:
- Crying that is high-pitched or piercing
- Crying that continues despite feeding, changing, and soothing
- Baby appears uncomfortable when being held
- Sleep disturbances paired with irritability
These behaviors may relate to nerve damage, pain from untreated injuries, or brain irritation caused by trauma.
8. Seizure-Like Movements or Odd Jerking Motions
Seizures in infants can be extremely subtle. Parents often mistake them for startle reflexes or sleep twitches.
Possible signs include:
- Repetitive jerking of arms or legs
- Stiffening spells
- Sudden eye roll or fixed stare
- Lip smacking or tongue thrusting
- Rhythmic bicycling of the legs
Seizures are one of the strongest indicators of oxygen deprivation at birth and should be evaluated immediately.
9. Limited Facial Movement
Facial asymmetry, especially when crying, may indicate a facial nerve injury caused by:
- Forceps misuse
- Excessive pressure during delivery
- A vacuum extraction error
Signs parents may notice include:
- One side of the face not moving
- Uneven mouth movement
- Difficulty closing one eye
While some nerve injuries heal, others lead to long-term functional and cosmetic problems.
10. Delayed Speech or Limited Babbling
Even before a baby speaks words, their vocal development reveals a lot about neurological health. Watch for:
- Little babbling by 6–9 months
- Flat affect with few expressive sounds
- Weak cry or changes in vocal tone
These can be early signs of hearing problems or neurological injury linked to birth complications.
When Should Parents Suspect a Birth Injury?
Any combination of:
- missed developmental milestones
- motor delays
- feeding problems
- abnormal muscle tone
- seizures
- asymmetric movement
- ongoing irritability
should prompt an evaluation by a pediatric neurologist or a second opinion if your concerns are dismissed. Early intervention makes a dramatic difference in a child’s progress, but identifying the cause is equally important when medical negligence may have played a role.
Can These Signs Indicate Medical Negligence?
Yes. Many birth injuries are linked to preventable errors such as:
- Delayed C-section
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Misuse of delivery tools
- Delayed response to umbilical cord issues
- Improper handling during delivery
- Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections
- Oxygen deprivation during birth
If your child is showing symptoms and you suspect a birth injury, legal guidance can help determine whether improper medical care contributed to your baby’s condition.
Similar Post: Can Preventable Birth Injury Deaths Be Avoided With Better Protocols?
Concerned About Your Child’s First-Year Symptoms? The Birth Injury Lawyers at Anapol Weiss Are Here to Help
If your baby is showing signs of a birth injury, you deserve answers. The experienced birth injury lawyers at Anapol Weiss help families across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Media, and Drexel Hill, as well as throughout the U.S. understand what happened, evaluate medical records, and determine whether negligence played a role.
We fight for the resources children need for medical care, therapy, and long-term support. Call us today at 866-944-0553 or fill out our online contact form to speak with our team. Your child’s future matters. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.