12mo has been a high needs baby since birth. Awful colic, horrendous sleeper (still is), velcro baby.
Since he was younger he’s been really sensitive to sudden loud noises. Some noises like sirens he’s become more tolerant of but he still hates other babies screeching/crying, the blender etc. When outside of the house, he never smiles. I constantly get the “Awh he’s so serious” comment. At playgroups, he always takes a while to “warm up” and he’ll be really reserved, whereas at home he’s like a bull in china shop. He tends to stay on the outskirts of groups. He does make eye contact and he smiles, chats and giggles with DH and I at home but no smiles or chatting with others. He can wave and clap but can’t point yet, nor does he seem to grasp the idea of pointing. But he does lunge towards things he wants or stares at them until you get them for him. He says “mama”, “dada” “baba” but he doesn’t say them in context or with meaning and he attempts to imitate some animal noises. He enjoys playing games like peekaboo and he often instigates them himself. I’m not sure if he understands his name, sometimes he looks and other times he doesn’t - he’s either looking coincidentally or he’s just selectively choosing to listen. He seems fine with textures of food etc but he’s never been great with solids generally.
It’s mainly the sensitivity to sounds thing and avoidance of social interaction with others that concerns me. But I don’t know if perhaps he’s just got a sensitive personality? I may be worrying too much but am a first time mum so not sure what’s “normal” - if there is such a thing. Thanks