What is an early sign of developmental delays in infants that a nurse should monitor?

Lack of vocalization by age 3 months is a significant early sign of developmental delays in infants. Typically, by this age, infants should be cooing and making varied sounds, which reflect their ability to engage in early communication. This vocalization is essential for language development and social interaction, serving as a precursor to more complex speech patterns.

Monitoring vocalization is crucial because it can indicate the infant's auditory processing and social engagement. If an infant is not making these vocal sounds, it may suggest potential issues in communication development or hearing. Thus, this lack of vocalization serves as a critical early indicator that professionals, like nurses, should closely observe to determine if further evaluation or intervention is needed.

Developmental milestones such as rolling over, smiling at familiar faces, and reaching for objects are all important, but they tend to reflect physical and social development rather than communication skills, which are foundational in an infant's early developmental stages.