Young New Mom Just Wondering...

I've have 4 children and NONE of them were sitting at that time. Two of mine sat well by age 8 months and the other two were later than that. I have an almost 9 month old now and he still falls over sometimes. I wouldn't worry about the 'norm'. Everyone is different and they'll do it in their own time.

I'm a first time mom too, so here are just some tidbits I've picked up in the almost year and a half since my son was born. You had said in another post that she was also born a month early, right? Usually with premies they track development based off of their expected due date, not their actual birth date. If you go off of that, she's really the equivalent of a four month old, so it's not suprising that she's not sitting yet! If the clingyness is bugging you, or keeping you from getting housework done, I highly recommend a sling or wrap. You just pop them in, they're happy from being close to you, and you have both hands free to do dishes, vacuum, whatever! It's actually good for their muscle development, because with all the movement from you walking, bending, lifting, etc, they have to constantly adjust their muscles to stay comfortable. It's also good for premies and "sick" babies. Just look up Kangaroo care. And trust me, they'll grow out of the clingyness. My now 17 month old was very clingy up until about three months ago, and he's just come out of his shell. He'll go to almost anyone, waves and smiles at complete strangers, and doesn't mind being without me for long periods of time. It's not something you have to force, just know they'll get there in their own time. And I would say no outright to the cereal. The AAP is considering changing their stance on when solids are introduced from a firm 6 months to when a child is developmentally ready for them, i.e. reaching for food, sitting unsupported, and will put any toys you give them in their mouth. But if weight or growth is a concern, talk to your doctor. Good luck, and try to keep a positive outlook!

You've already got lots of great advice. Mine is 6mths and just starting to sit OK, so I wouldn’t worry. I'd agree about asking the Dr. about cereal and her being hungry at night. We still swaddle DD and that helps her sleep; maybe that would help your daughter, but, again, I’d ask the Dr if it may mess with her feeding tube. Another thought about not sleeping well: she could be getting ready to start sitting. DD always seems to have a few rough nights right before she starts to do something new! You may also want to ask the Dr about placing her on her tummy - I think that would probably help with developing the muscles that she needs to sit up. If she's uncomfortable on the floor, maybe you could recline in a chair or on a couch and put her on your tummy; that way she's right next to you, she's not on hard floor, and she has something to look at (your face!). This worked for us until DD was OK with being on her tummy on the floor. Again, we have the same problem with being clingy. Daddy has a hard time with this because she prefers me when she has a choice. I try very hard to let him play with and do things for her when he is home and kinda stay out of the way. I don't think it's unusual for baby's to prefer mom, even when both parents work and especially not when Mom's staying home with her all day. I also have a sitter that comes a few times a week so I can work and so far that seems to work well as she is very good at keeping DD busy playing. Lastly, we try to go to playgroups in the area – please message me if you’d like the contact info for them. I hope this helps, and good luck!

K.

I know ithas to be very difficult with having a special needs baby and another child on top. Two alone are enough to make you loose your mind at times. I agree with the others it isn't unusual for a 5month old to not sit alone yet. The bobby pillow helps some, sitting her in the middle of it. Definitely ask the md about the cereal, many want you to wait until they are 6 months old. If there isn't anything wrong with her digestion though you could try some ricecereal, check with pedi. Have you found any online groups for Turner Syn? I had a child with a rare tumor and found a couple sites with listserves that helped a lot at the time. Above everything try to get a little help to get a way sometimes. Find a mature teen that can come help a couple hours at a time to learn your routine and care for the little one and then have faith and let her babysit. It will be hard to leave her, but if you don't you will regret it. If you are truly concerned that no one could care for her needs, check the local hospital's NICU, put up a note in the breakroom that you need a sitter for just a couple hours a week for some respite time. The nurses there will know all about caring for g tubes, etc. Both you and the kids need to know that others can care for them and you do need the time. Sorry, don't mean to sound preachy, but we didn't leave my oldest with a sitter for a couple of years and then it was even harder!

Keep in touch with her pediatrician because your little girl is on a different path and has different stresses to deal with so her development may be a little slower than other infants her age. Focus on the things that she can do and encourage her to try new things. An early intervention therapist would help a lot to help her and give you great tips on how to help her learn. She will have issues getting used to the tube as it is an addition to her body that she has to get used to. Does she eat orally at all? There are special bottles made to help feed a baby with a cleft palate that I used to feed my daughter who, in addition to having her rare condition, also had a cleft palate. She also ate solids, in very small amounts, at about 6 months.

Five months is too early for solid food. The AAP has specifically changed the recommendations to six months, minimum, and if your child is already medically fragile I would not do anything to challenge her system further.

Not sitting up at 5 months was totally normal for my daughter at that age. We were able to get hooked up with Babies Can't Wait organization who helped with social therapy and physical therapy. Brantlee (my daughter) was a poor eater too. She had a feeding tube for the first 7 days but we were able to do without it after that. She was taking a bottle every 2 hours when she was 2 years old....sorry! They are just very fussy and particular eaters. Don't fret over her being behind in doing certain things. They do them at their own speed. The clingly-ness was also a problem for us. Not sure if it comes with the Turner's personality or we just "lucked" out! ha. Check with your doctor about the cereal but we started with very small amounts of cereal around 6 months. Do you have one of those Bomo (?) chairs that helps them sit up?

Talk to your pediatrician.
Some kids, no matter how healthy are not sitting up at 5 months. I would not give her cereal until talking to the pediatrician, sometimes we mistake baby's natural urge to suck for hunger. I know with my first everybody kept saying she was hungry but when I would feed her more she would throw it up. Once she started on the pacifier (which I dont really like) she was fine.
I have 3 children and none of them slept through the night until closer to a year but now are great sleepers. Each child sleep and eating styles are different. Dont frustrate yourself trying to fit your baby into some magical place, trust your instincts and she will settle into her own routine.
But, talk to your pediatrician!
You might want to start taking her out more often: schedule playdates or join a play group. It's good for her, but great for you too. As the less stressful you feel the easier it will be for you to parent.

Best of luck!

I have two little boys and let me tell you they are all so different. My 5 mo. old likes to be held all of the time, whereas my 3 1/2 yr. old could be left alone to play, and he loved it. I have told myself that they are only babies for such a short period of time, so I will just hold my little one until he feels more comfortable being on his own. Like some others have suggested a sling can be very helpful to free up hands! Also 5 mo., I think, is early to be sitting up. My first did not sit up until almost 7 mo., but then he was walking by 9 1/2 mo. You can just never tell with these little guys.
I don't know anything about Turner syndrome, so definitely check with her dr. about the rice cereal, but if she is holding her head up well, reaching for things and putting stuff (toys and hands) in her mouth I think it is ok to start a little bit of rice cereal during the day. Good luck with everything... Lord knows this is the hardest (and most rewarding) job in the world!

I think you should follow the advice of your doctor, as your daughter gets older, she will let you know what she can do. Just give her lots of stimulating toys and activities to entertain her. I do not know anything about her condition, but my prayers are with you for strength and hope. I believe she will be okay. Ask your doctor if you can give her extra cereal.
Peace,

J.,
While I admit I don't know anything about Turner's syndrome, I can positively say it is normal for any baby to not be sitting up at 5 mo. When my first daughter was 6 mos., and still not sitting up, my sister advised me to stop carrying her everywhere and give her "practice" in using her muscles to sit. : 0 ) . Worked like a charm, a few weeks later she was a champion sitter. Since your daughter is very clingy, it may be a similar situation. I'd sit her against the couch and sit right beside her, so she knows you are there.
Since she is on a prescription formula, I'd ask the pediatrician before starting any solid foods, just to be certain that they are in agreement.
BTW, not sleeping well, being clingy and acting hungry COULD be signs of teething. Taking a bottle can sometimes soothe sore gums, though some babies refuse to eat when they're teething. IF she'll let you, I might feel around for any signs of teeth getting ready or ready to come through.

Make sure you are getting rest and taking care of yourself, also. Maybe ask a friend or neighbor that you trust to "watch" her while she naps, and take a warm bath, listen to soothing music, etc. whatever helps you relax.

I pray that she develops well,
Good luck,
A.