Delayed....

don't feel bad. I my child is behind and all. My child is now playing with her feet and trying to sit up. I my child is 6 months almost 7 and hasn't rolled over. I think she isn't ready to do it. But she is very smart in her colors and verbal skills. so i know my child might be slow on some stuff but not on all. Just keep waiting.

Hi A.,

Have you spoken w/ Gavin's Pediatrician? At 7mnths, all of these things you describe should be happening or he should be attempting them. I would suggest a discussion w/ his doctor.

Take Care,
F.

A., the advice not to be concerned is generally good advice but it sounds like it might be worth a little exploring. By 7 months, he should be rolling over and sitting up. Are you enrolled in Parents as Teachers? If so, call your parent educator and ask her to do a developmental screening on your son as soon as possible. Also, you can check with your pediatrician--he/she should be asking about general development during well baby check ups. If you don't get anywhere with either of those avenues, you can also try to contact the early intervention program in your area. If you are in Missouri, that should be First Steps. If you have trouble locating their info, send me a private message and I'll find it in my stuff! good luck

The guidlines that our peds give us are just that, guidelines.
All of my children have developed at different rates. My oldest never really crawled and didn't walk until he was 18 months. Part of his problem was he was born almost a 10 lb baby, and I think he weighed 30 lbs at 7 months. Now he is 6 and maybe weighs 45 lbs and is over 4 ft tall. My youngest on the other hand was crawling and pulling up at 6 months, but she is in the 10 percentile for weight, and doesn't have a lot of chub to carry around. I agree that he might be holding out on you. My two year old would stop whatever he was doing when he saw someone watching him. My point is all kids are different. I would just talk to your ped about it

This is going to be a little work (mainly pencil pushing & phone) but try going to a local health department or calling them and asking them if they have any programs for children with delays. For example im from oklahoma and we have sooner start and they come to your home and assess the child if disabilities are present then they start doing home visits to help with this. If there are no disabilities then you have nothing to worry about.it should be a free of charge service. It is well worth it to get him in it if he needs it

Hi A.,
If it's any comfort to you, I have just recently read an article which indicated that ever since the campaign to lay babies on their back to sleep was initiated, there have been fewer incidents of SIDS. But they are now finding that babies are taking longer to lift their heads up, roll over and sit up. I'm sure your doctor's visit will soon let you know if it is actually a developmental delay or if it just takes a little time. Good luck and let us know how everything works out.

Hi Ashely,
I was wondering if you have tried a walker or exersauser anything that would allow him to stand up and strengthen his back muscles. I am not a ped dr or anything like that but it seems to me out of the infants I've watched and my own kids they seem to do the rolling over thing when their back muscles are stronger. Becarefull if you have stairs in your house with a walker if he is somewhere that you have any. He may seem like he could'nt figure out how to get it moving but it's usually whe you aren't looking that they do things. Also you can put him on the floor and put toys just out of his reach on the sides of him and like diagnol from him this way he has to kind of turn around to see things. And it my be just that he is lazy. My second child was (a boy) very lazy baby, he didn't care he would just lay there and then one day it was all over with. lol. Also try a bumbo seat for him to sit in and give him some toys. they seel them at target i know and probably toys r us. maybe go get a new noisy toy for him to go after. hope this helps W.

A.,

If it would make you feel better, taken Gavin in to be tested. Actually, there are a lot of (free) physical therapy services in Johnson County (not sure where you live).

A. L

Call Sooner Start. They are part of DHS. They can help you through this. What they do is have a case manager coordinate a meeting with other professionals to assess and evaluate your son. If there is a problem, they can help you take the next step to help your son. I have had a wonderful experience with them. Their number is ###-###-####. The problem you're having with your son may be nothing but it needs to be looked into. It doesn't sound right. BTW, good luck with LPN school.

Hi A.-
I wouldnt worry about your son being slow in the least unless your dr. has voiced concerns. My 3 yr. old was right on track with the "guidlines" however my baby (1 yr on April 5) would not do anything. At his 6 mon check up I asked his Dr. since all he would do is lay on his back and kick and play (his head was even starting to get flat on the back) He has always been pretty happy and even would turn his hips like he would roll but did not until he was almost 8 months. After that he was crazy. He rolled all over, sat up and even crawled all at about the same time. He now is pulling up, walking along things and has even taken a couple of steps to me. I used the jumparoo to get him use to the new position and to get his legs stronger. Keep in mind that boys develope a little slower than girls too at the early ages. Ask his Dr. to check and make sure he has the ability to. My baby was just being "lazy" but snapped out of it.
Good luck.
T. H

It sounds to me that this is probably something that SHOULD concern you HOWEVER you will probably get no REAL answers about it until he turns about a year old. First Steps is a WONDERFUL IDEA and he will probably get labeled YCDD (young child with developmental delays) and that does not really mean anything, when he turns 3 you can put him in your local public school districts program for children with small or large delays called Early childhood, but right now, I would just work with him AS MUCH as possible, my son did not sit up until he was 10 months and did not walk until he was 19 months and did not want to eat textured foods until he was 2. (I would pay close attention to how he responds to different textures) My son is now 5 years old and spends 360 minutes a week in different therapies although he is in a regular kindergarten setting, after they turn 5 and they are still considered YCDD and have an IEP (papers they get that establish their goals and what they have achieved) then my son got the label Mentally Retarded, WHICH I DO NOT SEE!!!!! But when they turn 5 if it is still a concern that is the label they get, do not let me scare you, just try and take as many steps as possible to attempt to get your son to do the things you are wanting him to do, lay him on his tummy and find something he really likes, and hold it in front of his face, make him reach for it and then take it over his head and he will more than likely roll over to try and get it, then do it the other way, do this several times a day until hopefully he just gets it on his own, as for sitting up, put something in his hands that he does not usually lay down with for example if you give him a bottle he is more than likely going to lean back because that is how he gets the milk, but if you give him something that catches his attention like a ball that lights up and plays music and is big enough to go between his legs he will probably try to sit up without even realizing it. He is not just going to go from laying to sitting, you are just going to have to sit him up and give him reason to want to stay in that posiition. Also praise him with lots of hugs and kisses and things he may like....as he gets a little bigger cheerios will be in order, as most kids really take well to them lol!!!

Good luck and if you need anything dont hesititate to send me an personal message! I have a myspace as well as yahoo messenger! Talk to you soon!

Hi A.,

My son who is now ten years old was delayed, granted he was a premie but I kept asking the same things you are. He wasn't do things anywhere near when he should. We finally got an evaluation done by first steps and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. My son didn't sit proped up, in a high chair or his excersaucer and he was always arching his back. Yes, children do do things in there own time but early intervention is the key to alot of disabilities. The sooner you find something out the better off the child is. Hang in there and if you ever feel like you need to talk I have been through the same steps you are taking. Good luck!!

D.

Well my son started doing that at 4 months old. I would be a little worried because my son was also crawling at 6 to 7 months of age. Have u tried asking the babys doctor what could be wrong? Cause if hes not rolling or sitting up there might be something wrong with his back and u might wanna get it checked out. Good Luck

That is delayed. I have two boys, one of whom has Autism. Delayed skills like this can be a sign of Autism, or sensory problems. I would ask your doctor to send him to a pediatric neurologist. I would also have him evaluated by a physical therapist and occupational therapist. I would be happy to answer any questions about Autism. Trust and follow your instincts/gut feelings.

S.

Hi A.
My son was too fat at 7 months to roll... but he finally got it as he approached the 8 month mark... so somewhere in between 7 and 8 months. Soon after that he was crawling, pulling himself up and now he is running everywhere at 14 months.
As far as the uncomfortableness when we sat him up, we didnt experience that. Maybe his tummy is too full?
The most dangerous thing we moms do, is compare our children to others... each of our children is totally seperate individuals and learn at their own pace. So dont worry that your friends baby is already crawling. Just love your baby where he is at right now.
If you are super concerned, talk to you doctor.
Good Luck!

Oh, and I highly recommend Parents As Teachers... a great way to stay involved with development!

It's so hard to tell, because each child is different. All of my sons started rolling over by four to six months, but the only way to get a real answer is to consult your son's doctor and ask if he/she would recommend testing. That way your mind would be set at ease, or, at the very least, you would know exactly what you are dealing with and see if there any intervention that is needed for him. I found that over the years, it eliminates a lot of anxiety in the long run if you just bite the bullet and consult a professional. That's far better and stress-relieving than just getting on the old worry merry-go-round and thinking, "is something wrong?" over and over in your mind.
J. H.

It is true that every child develops differently. However there are some things that should rightly raise concern. If your son is arching his back or throwing his head back, it could be a good idication that there is some tension in the spine. This is easily correctable through chiropractic. Biomechanical issues in the spine can cause delays in motor development. I would be more than happy to anwer any questions. ____@____.com

I hate to say it, but yes..he'll do it when he's good a ready. My friends 11 1/2 month old just started crawling. Never even wanted to attempt to crawl..then just one day..off he went. Give him time and like its been said, don't compare your child to other people's children, because they all accomplish things on a different time line. Hang in there mom!!

hey A.
myyoungest will be 8 months on the 5th. he just started rollin both ways about 2 weeks ago and he didnt start rollng period until about 2-3 months ago. when he's on his tummy the only thing he can do besides roll is push up with his arms. he cant sit up on hiis own if we prop him he just arches and scoots down. he certainly isnt crwling yet. i know its all youve been hearing but really its not something to worry about. however if yu think there could be a real poblem i would suggest taking him to your doctor to talk about it and assess yoursons development. i oubt that there is anything wrong some kids wait until they are more like 8-9 months sometimes to start even rolling. a good question could be was he premature by any amount. mine was 1 month premie and thats why he started so late. a preme will be that much behind his peers until the age of 2 where everything seems to even out to normal age develoment. dont worry but see your doc if you are really concerned

steph single sahm of 2