Cerebral palsy symptoms at different ages

The symptoms of cerebral palsy change as babies grow older. Possible symptoms from birth to age 2 are listed below.

A baby younger than 6 months might:

Have trouble holding up their head when picked up

Have a stiff or floppy body

Stretch their back and neck away when being held (they might seem to be pushing away from you)

Cross or stiffen their legs when picked up

A baby older than 6 months might:

Have trouble controlling their neck

Reach with only 1 hand, and keep the other hand in a fist

A baby older than 10 months might:

Crawl by pushing off with 1 hand and leg while dragging the other hand and leg

Not sit by themselves

A child older than 1 year might:

Not crawl

Not be able to stand up when holding onto something

A child older than 2 years might:

Not be able to walk

Not be able to push a toy with wheels

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