5 1/2 Month Old, Does Not Look You Straight in Eye, Is That Normal?

Most babies have a tendency to look at the area just around your head rather than right at your eyes. My sister thinks they can see your aura. I don't know about that, but I know that all my children have done this. My youngest is now 9 months and he looks at my eyes, but for the first 6-7 months he did the same thing. If you are really concerned, you can have him tested by his pediatrician.

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I would take him to his pediatrician!

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Veronia, let me start out by telling you what a great grandmother you are. It sounds like your daughter is very lucky to have your support and your wisdom behind her. Your grandson probably should be visually tracking by now and, although he is still young, it doesn't hurt to discuss this matter with his pediatrician. It may be something to do with his vision, like lazy eye as you had suggested, or something else that may be easily treatable if caught right away. And continue to pay attention to his developmental milestones and your hunches. It is possible to diagnose significant developmental delays as early as 12 to 18 months, and if diagnosed early and with the right therapy, it can become a non-issue for him later on.

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I don't know, but this could be a sign of Autism as well. If you are concerned, then talk to the parents, and if they become concerned, then have them talk to the pediatrition. He may be too young to diagnose anything, but if it is brought to the ped.'s attention, he will help keep an eye on it, and when he gets a little older, will help test him for any thing. Keep an eye on it and talk to the dr. it can be normal, but you never know!

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My oldest son did the same thing. This may sound strange but place a flashlight (like the small ones that you can attach to a key chain) in your mouth a couple times a day. He will start focusing more on your facial features over time.

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V.,

It is not normal for a baby not to look you in the eye. If he does this to everyone..please contact his pediatrician. He
may have a form of autism. At least get it ruled out.

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I know you've received a lot of responses, but I just thought I'd give you my take. My son did the same thing. I brought it up to my son's doctor who checked his eyes and didn't find anything and just commented that some babies aren't that into making eye contact. we s witched insurance and doctors and by 12 months noticed a lazy eye developing. His new pediatrician refered us to a pediatric opthamologist that found that he's extremelly near sited and has a lazy eye. He will be having surgery next month to try to correct the lazy eye (which is due to an eye muscle that is attached in the wrong place). All this to say, most pediatricians are not equiped to fing eye problems. It is best if they can refer your grandchild to a pediatric opthamologist who can do a much more extensive screening. I'm so thankful that I followed my instinct, but wish I would have pushed for it sooner. I hope it's nothing, but it really doesn't hurt to have it checked out.

Blessings,

D.

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I know you've gotten a lot of responses, but wanted to add that in case it is a lazy eye, my husband has one. He wore glasses when he was a baby till he was in 4th grade, 10 yrs old. He had about 3 surgeries and his first surgery was at about age 3 or so. He really doesn't remember. The last surgery was at age 10 and is the one that finally worked. He has perfect vision, with the exception that he can only see from one eye at a time. Doesn't seem to bother him. You can tell when he is tired because his right eye looks away. He focus's it when you tell him. He can also make it look a way on its own. Quite funny sometimes. This was back in the 80's so I'm assuming that medical technology is better now than it was back then regarding lazy eyes. Good luck. Definitely check with the doctor.

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It would be best to take him to the optometrist or bring it up to his ped. He's never too young for concerns like yours

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Your grandchild may be dealing with autism. Please check out www.lymeinducedautism.com for information. You may also call the number on the site because Tami is heavily involved in research about the causes, etc. of autism. It may not be related at all but early detection is very useful.

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I would recommend a pediatrician or pediatric opthalmologist consultation. If this affects other activities like crawling, Easter Seals or H-KISS in Hawaii may be other resources.

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Hi V. I would absolutly check in with his pediatrician. Just to rule out anything that can be helped while he is young. Never know, and better to check with developmental issues that often have better success when treated early.

Good luck!
G.

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Don't worry... yet. Babies tend to study specific facial features that interest them (like ears). Also at this age eye contact is very stimilating, and looking away or not making eye contact can simply be a sign that he is overstimulated. Seldom are there warning signs at this age that something is wrong (I'm guessing you're thinking autism). These usually don't show until 18+ months. But I know how you feel. It was a fear to me, too, secondary only to SIDS. The best thing to do is not worry about it, though.

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V.: I'm a grandmother too (isn't it fine?) so I understand your atttention & concern. For what it's worth, I have a very dear friend who just a couple of weeks ago, at the age of 66, had surgery so that she could look people "straight in the eye" without cocking her head & necks. She had eye surgery as a youngster for a condition similar to lazy eye that was not completely successful. Growing up she realized that when she looked people "in the eye" they thought she was looking elsewhere and responded uncomfortably. She adjusted by cocking her head so that she SEEMED to be looking them in the eye, although she actually wasn't. Anyway, I'd continue to pay attention to your grandson's gaze and if it doesn't adjust over time have him checked out by an eye specialist.

Of course if he shows other signs of not "engaging" with those around him then he should be evaluated for other possible conditions.

Bless you both.

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My son did that too! It freaked me out at first, too. Now that I know more what mistakes I made in the beginning regarding his sleep, I think he was just tired/overstimulated as another mother mentioned. He's perfectly fine now (almost 14 mo's) and more than happy to look you in the eye... assuming he's not too busy doing his own thing. :)

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