They notice their babies are slow in learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile or walk. These developmental delays may by early indicators of cerebral palsy. Abnormal muscle tone is another sign. Some babies with CP go through an early spell of hypotonia in the first two or three months of life, after which they seem to develop hypertonia. The child also might develop an unusual posture or seem to favor one side of the body.
All parents worry to a greater or lesser degree about their baby's development.
But parents who detect these signs, or any other seeming abnormalities in their infants should not hesitate to contact their physician. Doctors are best able to differentiate normal variations in infant development from developmental disorders. Typically, doctors diagnose cerebral palsy in infants by testing the baby's motor skills and thoroughly analyzing its medical history. Back to Top Healthy babies typically display a variety of automatic reflex movements in response to certain stimuli. A newborn baby held on its back and tilted so its legs are above its head, for example, will automatically respond with the so-called Moro reflex, extending its arms in a gesture that looks resembles an embrace.