Child Development

As Julie said, you should be in contact with the Parents As Teachers from your School District. They schedule about 3 home visits a year. They are in your home for about an hour and ask meaningful questions to determine if your child is on track. My son is VERY LATE on just about everything but according to our Parent Educator, he's doing just fine. It's good to hear those words from our parent educator and our peditrician.

If your son is a little more behind than he should be, then there is a program called First Steps. To qualify, he'll need to be 'behind' in 2 different areas. This is a good program because they start when the child is so young that many times, by the time the child is school aged no extra help is needed in the classroom because everything was treated so early.

Good luck!!~~~

1 mom found this helpful

It sounds like he may be a little behind. It's great that he's rolling all over-that way he can explore on his own. It's probably good to check with the pediatrician-if anything to put your mind at ease, or at least offer some suggestions to help him get moving a little more. If you live in Missouri, you should check out Parents as Teachers-it's a free program that sends parent educators to your home to discuss child development, offer suggestions on ways to help your child, they do screenings and bring fun activities to do with your kids. It's a great program to help you be the best parent you can be. Just call your local school district's early childhood center.

T.,
You are doing the best thing. Go see the pediatrician. If there is a problem you will catch it early. You will be able to get your son the care he needs IF ANY.
Good luck.

My oldest was a little slower but now he is 7 and is at the op of his class. My son was chunky baby with lots of rolls. My doctor told me that rounder babies take a little longer to gain there balance. I would just wait and see what the doctor says. Your youngest was very content to let us cater to him and didn't want to do for himself. He to out grew that and now we have the do it by myself battle.

T.--
I think that you are doing the right thing by making the appt with the Dr. there can be a number of things that an make a differnce in why he is not sitting up on his own--It would be hard to venture a guess--not enough muscle etc-some children just grow and progress at different rates- so there is no need to worry then--Not sure when was the last time that you went to the dr-- hopefully you do go on a regular basis-it is so important for young children so thngs can be "caught" at an earlier stage then if you do not go. I wish you good luck and hope that your visit will give you the information and the okay that you are good to go.

Micky

I think that's great you have a doctor appt. for him. I would just sit tight and wait to see what he/she says. Hang in there! :)

Just like everyone else has said, each child develops at their own pace. If he is reaching his milestones, just a little later than usual, that is still ok. Your doctor will be able to give you a better idea. Also, take a look at his overall development--is he babbling, socializing with you and other family members, reaching other milestones?

I once worked with a baby who had low muscle tone. His doctor said he was "double jointed" but he was very limp when picked up, his chest bone caved in as the muscles didn't support it, his jaw drooped open, always drooling, but he was sooo active and motivated that he reached his milestones even a little early. Point is, he was right on track because he was an active baby. A baby in a similar situation but way more laid back and not so active may have been a little behind. They each develop at their own pace.

Like some other responders suggested, maybe the older brother is doing things for the baby. Let your baby reach for his own toys, try to pull up to get things, etc. You can also create situations where he is challenged to try new things. Put toys just out of his reach on the floor. Get him interested in a toy, then let him watch you put it on the coffee table and encourage him to go and get it. Help him stand up holding onto something and let him bend down to get something and stand back up. Stand him up and give him only minimal support by barely holding his hands. Your doctor could also probably tell you other things you can do to encourage his physical development.

Make sure to also pay attention to his non-physical milestones as well. Practice things he already enjoys, like peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, hiding toys and finding them, babbling and talking with him, singing songs, etc.

That is great though, that you are getting this checked out. It's most likely that nothing is wrong, but use your motherly instincts. If your doc. doesn't pay as much attention to this as you would like, be persistent. If things don't improve in some time, follow up with the doc. until you are satisfied with the situation.

My boy didn't crawl until over a year, and walk until 18 mos. I freaked and took him to specialists, and the whole bit. He told me that if your son is developing mentally, ie small motor skills and verbal development is on key, then don't worry til they are two. They all develop differently, but all equal out at two. Hope this helps

Good i'm glad that you are concerned all children develop at thier own speed,keep your appt. with your dr. if she refer's you to see a specialist by all mean's do it.Some children nedd practice just because your son flop's over and he's done encourage him to try again put toy's in his reach and you right there in front of him.Also stand him up next to the couch to a standing posititon.Hope all goes well

Every kid developes at their own speed. Yours may just be a little more laid back in life. Keep your appointment with your doctor, but don't worry to much. He has an older sibling and sometimes the younger siblings let the older one do things for them. My youngest was like that. Her older sister did everything for her so some of her developemental skills were behind because of this. She is perfectly normal now and with everyone else. She is still laid back though and sometimes just really lazy. But that is her personality. He'll be fine. Don't fret to much. God Bless and Good Luck.

Hi T., I have a grandson whom I thought was "slow" in sitting up among several other things so I was concerned as his 3 yrs old sister has downs syndrome and I was afraid there was issues with him as well. He just didn't seem to care if he did or not. He didn't seem to respond to a lot of things like most kids did, but the doctors always said he was healthy and doing fine at his checkups. Like your son, if you sit him up he would sit for a few minutes. But once he fell over that was it. He was pushing a year before he really started sitting up on his own. All my kids were up and at it early and walking by a year, as were my other grandkids. I also ran an inhome daycare and I never experienced this with those kids either. However, once he hit a year old he just took off and is now a healthy and rambuncious (sp) 18 mo old and you never would have guessed that he was slow in a lot of his motor skills in the beginning. Now you just can't slow him down. I think as long as your pediatrician says he is doing well and isn't concerned, then he will take off in his own time like my grandson. Hope this helps ease your concerns. V.

You have probably had your doctor visit already. There is a program in our state that is called Missouri First Steps. It works with children who may have developmental delays. You could call them and get an evaluation done on your child to help ease your mind. He may not even need the service, but at least you would know where he stands. Just remember that every child develops differently, even though it is hard not to compare him to other children. The number to First Steps is ###-###-####. The evaluations are free. I hope your appointment went well at the doctor.

ps. I was just reading other parents responses and with First Steps they only have to be delayed in one area of development to qualify for our program. I have actually worked for the program for the last 2 1/2 years. The therapy the program provides is occpational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and developmental therapy and they will come into your home or to a daycare if that is what you prefer. If you have any questions just call and we can answer any questions you may have.

Most certainly take him to the pediatrician. He should have been sitting on his own by this time, but that doesn't mean he won't. He could be one of those that takes his sweet time. But get it checked. Alot of kids WALK or close to, at one year. Some children walk at 7 months (mine never did). Your pediatrician will likely set up some developmental tests, or start digging to find out why he is not crawling or trying to stand yet. The fact that he is rolling around alot means he is getting close to crawling, so don't panic. Every child always has some "wierdity" I call it. I saw some old videos of my sister as a baby, and she walked very, very late, and did this strange crawl with one leg tucked under. By looking at it, you would have thought she had a major hip abnormality. Of course she is perfectly normal, but at the time no one thought so. Once when my oldest wasn't talking as soon as normal, I met with the pediatrician, and he said he talked very late too and had his mother scared to death. It gave me soooo much comfort!

Encourage your child to crawl; maybe he is one of those that does things in growth spurts; does nothing then all of a sudden does it all and more. I have heard of a lot of kids like that! No matter, you must put your mind at ease and get this checked immediately. In case there is a reason, you want to get the appropriate intervention in place to enhance his development if need be. Let us know what your doctor said, and be POSITIVE. Don't let your heart be troubled. I think every mom worries about development.

We had the same thing. My son never sat up until 10.5 months, never did a full crawl until a year and never walked until 15.5 months- waaaay behind all other kids we knew! He didn't even try pulling up until a year or older. Now he's over 2 and is totally on track! Try not to worry too much, because some children simply follow a later pattern of milestones/developments. Your pediatrician will be able to do some simple tests to determine if your child is having other issues or simply one of the 'late bloomers' (which I imagine is the case). I was a little stressed about our later development as well b/c had a nephew similar age that was walking at 9 months! Just enjoy the time you have with your 'baby' while you can, soon he'll be off like a shot!

It's good you're concerned about this - but don't freak out! He's so young you have plenty of time to help him catch up or overcome if there is something he needs help with!

You're on the right track with a trip to the Dr. Like another Mamma recommended, Parents as Teachers thru your local school disctrict should be your next call. We were concerned about our son's verbal development and they were fabulous! Your Dr. can make the referral for you as well. They'll even come to your home for the evaluation and therapy if required!

Take a deep breath until the Dr.'s appt and just enjoy your sons knowing that you'll do whatever needs to be done for them to have a great life! You'll be fine!

T.