My 6 month old doesn't seem to put much weight on her legs. If I hold her up and put her legs on my lap, she doesn't push off. We have started putting her in the excersaucer to she if that helps. She has been using that for a week and I haven't seen improvment yet. She kicks and moves her legs when she is laying on the floor, it's just when she feels the floor, my lap, etc with her feet, she just goes limp and bends her legs up to sit. We are currently seeing chiropractor for stiffness in her neck--she had slight case of torticollis. She doesn't feel like she has anything out of place either. The chiropractor has been doing excersises for this also. We don't go to the doctor for ther 6 month check up for another 2 weeks. At what age should she be doing this? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you everyone for the advice and support. It has been over 2 months, and the progress she has made is just amazing. She is still a little behind in some things, but not so far that there is a BIG concern anymore. She is now sitting up alone for very long periods of time. She can't get to that positon on her own yet, but that will come. She now is rolling all over the place. She is also putting the weight on her legs--not enough for her to stand holding on to something, but she is putting weight on her legs!!!!!!!!! We continue to see the chiropractor for her stiff neck, flat head, and for tightness in her hips. The chiropractor has helped alot!! We also have been going to see a Help Me Grow Specialist. If you are not familiar with HMG, they see if children are developing accordingly. We just was there today, and my daughter is on track for the most part. They are still concerned with the large motor issues, and we will continue to see the HMG specialist. She has given me more activites to do to help her out!!! Thanks again to all the suggestiong and support!!!
As long as the Doctor does not see anything don't worry. My daughter never even stood until she was 12 months and didn't walk until she was 17 months. We took her to several specialist who couldn't find anything wrong with her. She is now 6 and the fastest runner in her class!
Hi L.!
My daughter did not want to bear weight on her legs at 6 months either. I was a little worried because I work in a special needs center. I had seen and heard of all the warning signs and thought for sure my daughter had low muscle tone or sensory issues. After talking to the PTs at work, they assured me that she was fine and that she might be a late bloomer when it came to physical activity. Sure enough, she started putting weight on her legs (around 6 1/2 months). She is now 9 months old and she is just now army crawling. She will stand while holding onto something, but she still does not do all that the other (friends) babies her age are doing. All the doctors say she is perfectly fine though. I wouldn't worry, but definitely have your dr. check her out at your appt. Good luck!
A.
I'm not sure that is normal. She may need physical therapy. Have you talked to your doctor about it? My friend's daughter was still not using her leg muscles much when she was a year old and her doctor had them start physical therapy. She is doing much better now, but she is still not walking at 15 months.
Hi, L. --
I think it's SO great that you're asking this question. You're on top of it :)! I imagine it's probably not too unusual for kids of this age to not put weight on their legs, but, that said, I definitely think it's something to address, and you're doing just the right thing.
My friend's son would do just what you describe your daughter doing, even well beyond 6 months, and I gently tried to caution them that this was something to address. Flash forward another 12 months, and their little guy was getting around by scooting on his bottom. It was such a fast mode of transportation for him that he actually had to be made to walk, through months of physical therapy and concerted effort on his parents' part to break him of his scooting habit. It was not a fun time for them.
I'd suggested to them much earlier that they get some kind of bouncy seat, like the one we'd used for our daughter, that clamped to the door frame. Their doctor advised that these were too dangerous - I guess they might be, if you didn't actually have molding around your doorframe, but that's another discussion. At any rate, they now make stationary bouncy seats that are suspended inside a rectangular frame, rather than from above, and had I been their pediatrician, I would have INSISTED they get one for him to strengthen his legs and give him the sensation of standing and bearing weight. As I said, though, unfortunately, they prefered to not consider it a problem until he was 18 months old. He ended up not walking until he was nearly 2.
So, my advice for you is #1) don't worry about it too much yet, but #2) do look for one of those "safe" bouncers -- which will let her put more weight on her legs than the exersaucer will require. She may not have the strength yet... maybe try her another week or two more in her exersaucer to start building that strength, and then make her support more of her own weight. She will need time to build up to it, probably.
I hope this suggestion helps! Slow and steady -- there's no rush! Just try to make a tiny bit of progress every week and that's fine -- forward momentum doesn't have to be fast :)!
Good luck,
H.
Don't panic. There ARE other ways to make the legs "weight bearing exercises". Use your hands to "bicycle" her legs both forward and backward, legs apart & together - working the hip stabilizers lateral & medial; push your hands gently on her feet when she is on her back and try to get her to "push you".
She may just be a little behind. Just like potty training, etc....they may not be ready quite as soon. I know a child who wasn't even crawling until almost 11 months. I think that was largely due to lack of stimulation on the part of the mother who left her in a crib or pumpkin seat ALL the time; regardless.....utilize other ways to work those legs.
I doubt if there is anything wrong. It sounds like she just doesn't know what to do yet. I would stick with the exersaucer or a juperoo for now. Mention it at her next checkup, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. If her legs are moving when she's laying down, I wouldn't think there is anything wrong with her legs. All kids develop differently. Just keep doing what you're doing.
Since she moves her legs well, but does not want to bare weight, I would make sure that your pediatrician checks her for hip displasia. Sometimes the hip can be out of socket a little bit and it causes pain to bare weight on the legs. If it is hip displasia you may also notice pain or crying with diaper changes when her hip is placed in a certain position. Just something to be cautious of.
Hi L.! How about trying a Jumperoo or a Johnny Jump Up (if they still make those anymore). I have a Jumperoo and my daughter loves it! They used to have the Johnny Jump Up when I was a kid, but I don't know if they still manufacture those. If you aren't familiar with the Jumperoo, it's like a walker, but it's stationary and is on springs so they can jump up and down. Kaelyn has a blast when she's in it! I hope there is nothing serious wrong with your little girl. Good luck!!
L., this is not normal.
Do you give your baby tummy time every day?
Very important.
Is she turning over by herself?
She should be pushing with her feet while she is on her tummy.
Make sure your doctor is aware of this.
If your doctor seems unconcerned, I would get a second opinion.
This is not normal at this age.
Hi L.,
My daughter also had a slight case of torticollis - She also did not bare weight on her legs. She has been slightly developmentally delayed in other ways as well. My daughter has been in Physical Therapy and they gave me exercises to do to help strengthen her legs. Still to this day (and she is 20 months old) she has weakness in her hips. Her lower body has low muscle tone. I would definitely not make light of it because if we would not have pushed so hard and worked with her so much, there is a good chance our daughter wouldnt be walking right now. I dont mean to make you nervous, because it could very well be nothing - - - but with the torticollis and tightness in her neck and the fact that she doesnt want to use her legs - I would just let the doctors know and maybe get her in to see a PT to have her evaulated. Early intervention is key!!! Hope your daughter does well. Best wishes with everything!!
At this age she should be rolling over on her own, maybe sitting up on her own, or even trying to crawl. It just might be that she's going to be a late stander. Just not ready yet. Try not to stress too much, she'll pick up on it and it will make her tense. Maybe her feet are sensitive and she doesn't like the feel of standing on things, your lap might be too soft(smooshy)and causes her to not have a solid hold and the carpet might feel strange on her feet. Sounds more like she just doesn't want to stand yet. Keep trying, work on her crawling instead(if she isn't already), change things up with her.
Good luck!
Every baby develops at their own pace. I learned with my 4th son, that THEY set their pace! LOL! My youngest didn't crawl until a week before his 1st birthday. He didn't start walking until he was about 16 months old. Now he's 18 months old, completely mobile and active in every way, in to everything, and never stops!!!
Don't worry so much about your little one not putting much weight on her legs at only 6 months, unless you see other signs that there could be something seriously wrong. She'll get there.... she's just not quite ready yet... and that's completely okay!!!
L., hopefully this will help...i work in radiology and do x-rays. i see little ones come in ALL the time b/c a little one wont use their legs or arms. no reason they just stopped or just aren't doing it. there 99% of the time is nothing wrong with them. you have to remember that kids have tons of growth plates and it hurts when they grow. they don't want to put weight on something that is hurting. i have a rainforest bouncer for my son who is 8 months old BUT really watch the TIME they spend in it b/c it will lead to hip problems if spending too much time in them. hopefully your 6 month appointment went well and this advise isn't even needed!
I'm not sure if that is normal! My daughter is almost 4months and is pushing, kicking, and will even stand up on your lap. I think I would defiantly have that looked into. Thanks, N.
