My Kid Is a Late Mover...

All kids are different, and if you were also a late mover then I am sure all is fine. I would go to the first PT session and see what you think. Maybe it will be fun for your little one and it will be something he enjoys. All kids learn at their own pace, but that does not mean we do them harm by actively teaching them. Best of luck to you and your family, and have a happy holiday season!

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Your gut is probably right...but a pt's info can't hurt. I take my daughter to a pt because she was a preemie. We got every 3 months. I've really enjoyed it. She observes what she can do, gets on the floor and plays and talks to her and shows me exercises we can do all while playing with her. I left with information to share with my husband and daycare provider to work on with her. I've even got some fabulous ideas for "toys" for my daughter to play with that I would have never thought of! It's worth a one time visit his/her professional opinion.

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As a PT myself, I would say go ahead and have an eval done. The therapist will help you determine if in fact that is all it is, or if anything else might be a worry. At the eval she can give you ideas to help encourage him along. My first response is that he is following mom's developmental patterns. However, my youngest has SPD and was also a slow mover and I resisted any treatment for a few years. I wish I would have listened to my mom (did I just say that?!?) and had an outsider eval him sooner. We all would have been so much better off earlier.

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Hi S.,

My oldest was a late crawler. When he wasn't showing any signs of pulling up or crawling at the 10 months old his pediatricain referred us to PT. The first visit with the PT was a lenghty assessment. It was great to have the undivided attention of a trained professional for 1+. It turns out my son had low muscle tone, but was on track with all of the rest of the skills. It was a relief to have this assessment done and know that there was not something more serious going on. My son did PT for a couple of weeks and was crawling quickly. We then moved on to the skills necessary for walking. I was glad that we did it. If we had not done PT and his development was slow, I would have spent time fretting that something more serious is wrong.

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I have three kids who all walked/crawled/rolled over at vastly different rates. My #3 (who is now almost 2 years old) really had NO interest in rolling over, crawling, walking. He just didn't want to, in my opinion! And with baby #3, I was happy to have a quiet, calm, non-mover! He didn't walk until probably 1 1/2 years old.

Our doctor also suggested physical therapy as well, which we did go to. It was useful in some aspects, but for the most part he did not need it. It was clear from observing the other children at the PT facility that he was not the average child needing PT; it was obvious to me that he would smooth out in his development with time. My feeling is that the doctor was young and wanted to make sure he didn't goof, which is good!

They did, however, teach me some little tricks to help him feeling more comfortable with his standing up from the floor (arising), his stance once he got standing, getting him to table walk, making him move towards a toy, etc. It would have been nice to say this helped, BUT they literally wanted me to follow him around all day making sure he was doing his stance/standing correctly - which I could not do because I work from home and needed to tend to work part of the time.

They did also evaluate him completely, and it was useful to see that his fine motor skills were ahead of his gross motor skills. For instance, he could pick up a Cheerio very easily - but just didn't like standing. That just made me feel even more certain that he was on a different track for development.

I would have to say in retrospect, that I was glad to have gone to PT with my child, because if there was anything wrong - we could have addressed it. I wouldn't want to be a mom who ignored the warning signs and failed to get proper care for my child.

Best of luck to you ~

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I have a suggestion. If a baby has low muscle tone they can't crawl, walk, etc. It's just as when an adult has low muscle tone. The adult does exercises to build up their muscles.

So, I suggest you take her to PT where you will learn how to work with her to build up her muscles.

I believe in mothers intuition. However, when a mother's intuition is not backed up by more visible information the mother can do some research. She could also follow the doctor's advice to see if it will make a difference.

Have you looked into why some babies are slow to crawl, walk, etc. and also have low muscle tone? Does low muscle tone mean that they are not developmentally ready to do those things or might something else be going on?

Listen to your mother's intuition but be willing to try out new things and to ask lots of questions to see if your mother's intuition can be verified. I suggest that often we feel that our child is alright because she is alright although he may need something extra. Sometimes we fear hearing that our child needs extra attention and the causes for it. So we cling to the intuition even tho we don't have enough information to back up the intuition. I suspect you took your baby to the doctor because your intuition suggested that something may need to be done.

I don't know how poor muscle tone is related to developmental stages. It sounds like your doctor thinks she's OK in all other areas but needs a bit of help for her muscles. I think PT will show you how to provide that help. It is unlikely that you will need to go to more than a few sessions. I recommend that you try it. You have nothing to lose and something to gain.

The question is: Does she not crawl, walk, etc because she's a late mover or because she has low muscle tone? Will she benefit if you know how to develop her muscles, no matter the cause?
Will he develop better muscle tone as he gets older even if you don't intervene. Will he have difficulty reaching later developmental milestones if he's still working on the earlier ones? Will catching him up help him?

2 moms found this helpful

All kids do things in different timeframes. I have twins, my boy was crawling by 9 mo where as my girl could barely scoot at 11 mo. In the community where lived there was an early development program for children, in which a provider came to our home and evaluated the kids. It was free of charge (like public health) and the showed us small things to help our little girl start moving in the right direction.

The said she was in great condition, but to help her develop her muscles etc we could put her into a position for crawling and help her move. It was odd at first because she was not interested the first few times we attempted to "help" but within a couple days of working, she started to scoot more and more. She would commando crawl with most movement coming from her arms, then she took off crawling about another week later.

I wasn't worried about her being under developed, but with the guidance of the program she seemed to take off quickly and had a blast moving around on her own. Sometimes I think it was just her time and giving her that motivation helped her feel confident.

Good luck

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I am a PT (I work orthopedics-not pediatrics). Early intervention with PT can be helpful. They can teach you how to most effectively play with your child to build muscles and patterns he does not yet have. They can also give you ideas on what to look for (ie-try to avoid "W" sitting-it encourages tight hamstrings and extensor trunk weakness). PT can also help him build up the confidence to do what he needs to do to perform the movment on his own. I am glad that your doctor saw this as a potential problem. So many don't until much later in development. By the time the parent seeks PT the child could have been caught up. Good luck with things and please feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

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I agree with your doc. As a first grade teacher, kids need to crawl. Studies show it helps with their reading, Really!,

Try swimming, it mimics the crawling actions.

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My son didn't sit up until 7 months and didn't crawl until 11 1/2 months. My ped wasn't at all concerned, saying he would get there. He's now 15 months and just about to walk. Physical therapy can't hurt and I'm guessing the therapist won't be concerned about it either. If you book your initial visit a month out - you'll probably need to cancel before ever going!

1 mom found this helpful

My husband (now 49) never crawled. He just went straight to walking. I've known many, many families with children that never crawled. However, I have also heard that the crawling stage is a necessary part of development of the brain for later learning.

My husband also didn't talk until he was 5 yrs old. Get this, nobody can get him to stop talking and he runs all day long. Go figure!

A moms intuition is also important but you may want to work with a little yourself and see if you can get him to start the motion of crawling. Spend 10-15 minutes in the morning and the evening really trying to get him to crawl. Put something in front of him that will spark his interest. Have fun with it and just see what happens!

S.
http://www.DeliveringWellnessToYou.com
Proud Member of Moms Delivering Wellness

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Don't worry. He is the first child... He doesn't have anyone to keep up with and you have time to hold him and play with him all the time.
My first was the same and everyone I talked to immediately said, "She is first. Don't worry."
Or other children will start moving much faster because they will want to keep up with him!

I think the PT is a bit over the top. My first son walked at 10 months, my second son didn't even start crawling until two weeks before his first birthday, and my daughter is 10 months and loves to sit up and scoot, but absolutely refused to stand until about a month ago. Even now she will only stand if someone is holding her up. They are all fine, and I think yours is too, especially if you were a late mover. Maybe it is time to get a new pediatrician. The pediatrician I went to for my second son wanted him to hit all the "benchmarks". She wanted me to force tummy time even though he hated it. When my daughter was born, we switched pediatricians, and I am much happier.Follow your gut, and enjoy this time of not having to chase after him constantly. It won't last long.

Hi S.,
My 1st went to rolling as soon as he figured out how to roll over both ways. By the time he was old enough to crawl, he was so fast at rolling that he would just line himself up with where he wanted to go, then flop down and roll.
We didn't worry and neither did his doctor. As soon as he walked, he learned to run. He stayed lean and fit, all muscle, all his life so far. He was TAG or above in school, and is a nuclear engineer in the Navy now.
I wouldn't worry too much.
L.

My only problem with professional PT is that is costs money. You can do all those exercises yourself at home for free, with information from free resources like the internet, or other moms who have been through this. If the cost isn't an issue, or you'll feel it would be worth the experience, a trial class sounds like a good option. It sounds like your son is falling into a normal range, and you will be the first to notice if something isn't quite right. For now I would go with your gut. I think you're right, and things will work themselves out in a few months. Keep encouraging him and he will get it. Everyone catches up by 2, and by then he'll be off and running and you might even long for these slower moving moments!

Hi S....My #1 spoke in sentences at 10mo,ie; "Theres a bottle in there"...#2 spoke in "gobbledegook" until 3rd grade. Only #1 could decipher what she was saying, BUT she walked alone at 7mo...#3 didn't walk or talk 'til he was 15mos...#4 talked at 12mo but wouldn't even stand up until she was 18mo. and finally walked at 24mo...#5 was so precocious she walked and talked in simple sentences at 11mo...#6...well you see what I am telling you......they do what they do when THEY are ready, not when a book says they should....just give them the tools to work with and help when they ask for it and just watch. They really are different and amazing individuals.

Good Luck
C. Hamlin
Cave Junction OR>

At 10m I would not be worried yet by his not crawling/walking. If he is rolling, standing etc. then I think waiting a while would be best. I know several 9-10m olds from my playgroup and church that are not crawling yet. One little girl in my playgroup is just now starting to walk and she is almost 15m old (with no issues, just a late mover). My babysitters 10m old boy is pulling up but not cruising yet either, he's just a moose of a kid that is content to roll around and watch the world go by. I am honestly surprized that your ped would suggest PT at this age if there isn't a physical ailment. I'd go with your gut on this one. If there is still no "movement" at the 12-14m mark then consider some PT at that point.

S., my boy had a phyiscal issue and required PT (it was a torn muscle). He was also a late mover. Through PT I learned a whole lot about baby's bodies and why crawling is so very important AND why muscle tone is very important too. The bigger they get, the more weight there is to carry. If their tone does not keep up with that load, it only makes moving harder. Babies don't like to do things that are hard.

I am very thankful we had the experience and option of going to PT. Sure, my boy would've eventually walked and everything else, but he would have developed some real crutches along the way and those could've affected him for life - much more than I'm sure I could even realize, even after all the education. So, if your Dr. is recommending it, I encourage you to go. The best that happens is they say everything is fine. And, if he does need a little extra help or motivation, he'll find it in PT. You'll also learn a whole lot!

I went to Early Choice Pediatrics in Vancouver. They are fantastic and I highly recommend them.

Take care and good luck!
T.

S. - Maybe I am confused. He rolls around to where he needs to get to, he sits up, he can get himself into the standing position but doesn't cruise? Is that right?
He sounds fine to me. If he is rolling he is using his belly muscles, if he is sitting up he is using his belly and leg muscles, and if he is standing he is using ALL his muscles.
If your gut is saying that he is a late mover because you were, then go with your gut. If he was just laying there doing nothing than maybe I would be worried, but he's not. He figured out how to roll to get where he wants to go and you said he loves to stand up.
A lot of doctors like to have children be in this "box" developmentally, and sometimes kids are outside the "box", be it early movers or late. You know your child best.
L.

I'd switch doctors. Lots of kids don't move at that age! My cousin didn't walk until she was 18 months old, me at 16 months, my friend's daughter didn't walk until she was 20 months old!! That's just life. My son actually never crawled much and went straight to walking. Every kid is different. If he were two and not moving, I'd worry, but until then I'd just go with your gut.

S.,

Go with your gut!!!! We as momma's seem to have turned off out mother's intuition or whatever you want to call it. Trust yourself.

I had a problem the other way, both of my kids were independently mobile before age 1, my daughter earlier than her big brother. I did however, have issues with my son's speech.

He had ear infections that we never caught so for his first two years (or more) I guess he heard everything from far away. When he was 3 1/2 more and more people were trying to convince me to get him into speech therapy, but I resisted. My Mommy Instinct just didn't agree. When his little sister was born I took him out of daycare and the three of us stayed home. He is now 5 years old and has the common mispronunciations of any 5 year old. He thinks Daddy is a "Nogturtle" because Daddy works all night while we sleep. he is also asaloopy sure of things. All he needed was one on one time instead of 10 on one time with a grown up.

Be glad your son isn't walking yet, he's easier to catch this way. Both of my children would be gone like a flash as soon as they learned how to walk stably. I have to be more vigilant now than when they'd stay where I put them.

Trust yourself, you know best.

M.

First, pediatricians don't know everything.
Second, my third child, a boy, didn't sit up by himself until he was 8 months old, didn't walk until he was 14 months old. He's almost five now and doing just great.
He is still not as active as his older brother, is a little more timid to take big leaps on the playground, but he's doing just fine. He's just more cerebral, rather that physical.
You could try setting things up so he has to try to move to get them himself. Don't give every toy to him, make him work for it. You could take a baby yoga or mom and baby swim class that would help him with muscle tone. I doubt he needs 'therapy' though.

When I was a baby my mother told me that I didn't use my legs at all until I started walking at 15 months. I wouldn't even use a johnny jump, a walker or pull myself to a stand. My grandmother thought there was something seriously wrong with me, then one day I popped up and started walking. There was nothing wrong with my legs, but I did have vision problems. I started wearing glasses around 18 months, so that is something to consider with your child.

My son didn't sit up until 7 months, crawled around 10.5, then walked at a year. He just packed more action into a small time. I think it's too early for a physical therapist, but then I'm not a doctor.

Hi S..

You are clearly a bright and insightful mother. I agree that your little one is most likely just fine. The average ages of milestones for babies and toddlers vary more than most people realize. Generally speaking, kids aren't referred for evaluation until, for instance, they aren't walking by 18 or 19 months. Some kids just take their time. 7 months is not late to be sitting up. You say yourself that he is rolling everywhere. So he is moving, and he gets where he wants to go. Plus, he's standing. That's more than many kids his age. He doesn't have to crawl, which you already realize. I'm wondering why your doctor is suggesting physical therapy. Is there something else going on with your baby's phyical development? Obviously, it's important to feel confident in one's own physician, especially a pediatrician. But it might be worth getting a second opinion. FYI, my kids both took their time. My younger son started walking one week before he was to be evaluated. So, it usually just depends on the child. I'm sure your little guy will reach those important steps. Keep up the good work!

Just wanted to add one more idea to the mix. We were fortunate to find someone in Portland, that was trained in
Cranio-Sacral work for children. Some Osteopaths (a medical doctor) will have special training in this. They help to make sure all the bones in the skull are moving as they need be and not jamed, which then impacts so many areas of the body
I personally think it is something that is great for all children, especailly anyone that has traved thru the birth
canal, sits in a car seat, has had a fall...We would notice an improved difference in our daughters behavior and we she is getting over the top cranky (she in now 8) we take her for a session and then she is back to being balenced and reasonable. It sounds like you would like to pro active with this. I would suggest to read the book, Smart Moves by Carla Hanniford at the library. She talks about how important the right kind of movement is for children and so many learning challenges could be averted by getting help and getting an early start, instead of taking the wait and see approach. Especially for low muscle tone. Again, easier now at this age and while you just have one. Wishing you the best.
PS Our 8 year old didn't crawl much, just started walking at 10 months and way ahead of all milestones, VERY BRIGHT, and is having a challenge in school, because of sensory challenges, can't hear certain sounds in words which is impacting reading along with a little visual processing...which some call dyslexia...and we are seeing improvement with reclaiming the crawling she didn't do and other movement therapies, which cost hundreds of dollars a month out of pocket. I wish I would have understood that spending a little money for therapy then, may have saved us thousands now. Again, she was developmentally ahead...she just didn't crawl and it took years before it showed up.

My son hit the sitting milestone at 6 months, and could roll (but chose not to...) he did not crawl until he was about 13 months (He scooted backwards before this, but only if he felt the need to move) and didn't walk until 19 months...my ped. didn't recommend PT (thankfully) and at age 3, he walks just fine, runs just fine...

You didn't say how much he weighs, heavier babies tend to move later then others. My daughter was barely crawling at 11 months and was well past 1 when she started walking, she is 5 now and you would never know it. My son was the same way and he is 7 and is perfectly normal and is one of the fastest runners in his age group. There will be times when a kid doesn't fit into a "chart" of normal kids and it is ok since we are not all the same, those charts are to be used as a guideline, not the absolute way everything has to be. One other thing that could be stopping him is if everything he nwants is put within his reach he won't have a reason to go get something on his own. When you put him on the floor leave his toys in sight but out of reach and see if he does anything different. But when he finally does figure it all out you will be amazed at how quick those little bodies are.

I understand your concerns. My first son did nothing by army crawl until he was 11 months old. Then he finally started crawling. He was a late walker, too. Didn't start until close to 14 months. Every child has a different schedule. (My 2nd son was just the opposite - early to on time with all the physical miletones.) You say your son rolls wherever he wants to go so he doesn't have a lot of motivation to learn to crawl.

Like you, I'm a strong advocate of early intervention for issues of any kind. But it seems like a little much to me to be going to PT now. I would want to know what specifically your doctor saw that he thought indicated the need for PT rather than thinking it is just normal development.

Good luck!
C.

My son didn't crawl until 11 months and didn't walk until 15 months. I was worried, but my pediatrician told me that there is a huge variation in how kids develop and that I should be patient. (Of course, he said this after checking to make sure muscles, joints, etc. were developing properly.) My son turned into a lightning fast crawler, and when he did start walking, he was really secure and started running the next week. Now I only dream of those days when he wasn't mobile! I think the point is that we expect children to all develop on the same track. I wouldn't worry unless you don't see ANY progress over the next few months. Your gut is usually right when it comes to your kids!

I didn't read the other responses but I just wanted to tell you that my son was similar. But, he just sat there like a lump until he was 11 1/2 months old when he finally decided to crawl, then he walked about six weeks later. My Dr wasn't concerned at all and said he would do it in his own time. I think you Dr is overreacting a bit. Your son sounds like a completely normal baby. Don't worry :-)

Hi S.-
I looked at the archives of my baby's blog after reading your post... at 10 months, he was mostly just rolling, and only starting to crawl backwards a little. He wasn't standing at all. At 10.5 months, he was just starting to crawl forward. He didn't walk independently until 14 months. I did things like encouraging him to kick his legs in his bath, which may have improved his muscle tone. But overall, I wasn't worried... he just likes doing things at his own pace, and once he starts a new activity, he practices it until he gets it down.

I agree with the others who suggested trying PT once to see if he enjoys it, but if not, go with your gut and don't worry about it. It seems like different doctors have different thresholds at which they worry about activities, and it doesn't always prove out that they are right to worry!