In a 7-month-old boy, what is a developmental "red flag"?

In assessing developmental milestones in a 7-month-old boy, a lack of warm, joyful expressions serves as a significant developmental "red flag." At this age, infants are typically developing social engagement and emotional expression. They should be able to demonstrate responsive behaviors such as smiling and showing pleasure and interest in interactions with caregivers. Warm, joyful expressions are crucial indicators of social and emotional development, and their absence may suggest possible developmental delays or concerns, such as attachment issues or other developmental disorders.

While "baby talk" may be present, its absence is not as concerning at this age, as speech development is still emerging. Not being able to sit in a chair is also not an appropriate expectation for a child who is only 7 months old, as they generally may not have the necessary motor skills to do so. Additionally, expressing stranger anxiety is a normal developmental milestone around this age, showing that the child is beginning to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people, which is a positive indication of social development.