[kalikai]

Hi all I am a newbie to this site but am a worried mum My 2nd child was born at 34 weeks. He is 11 months (9.5mths corrected) and has only just learnt how to sit. He is still shaky and needs to be supported with cushions. He is showing no signs of crawling nor trying to even get to knees. He does not attempt to pull himself up and can only shuffle slightly backwards in the walker which he has been using for 2 months. He is a huge, heavy strong bubby. Am starting to get concerned. We had lots of flags during the pregnancy which in the end came out clear e.g. 1 in 2 for down syndrome, extra large head...neurological defects......so I have these niggling at the back of my head. My first child was competently walking by 12 months. Am I worrying over nothing? thanks

[Jemstar]

I think age for walking varies enormously, but it sounds like you have a range of concerns, I think a visit to the GP and a referral to a paed would be a good idea.

[lozoodle]

Make an appointment to see your MCHN just to discuss your concerns - it will help put your mind at ease, and if they think there is an issue they can refer you to someone

But seeing as the adjusted age is only 9.5 months, I probably wouldn't worry too much. I'm not sure how the adjusted age thing works, but my first wasn't even rolling until 9 months, didn't crawl til 11 months. And she was born at 40+3, so no adjusted age issues.

Make an appointment just to be sure.

[jantastic]

I agree with the PP. It could be completely normal and a little on the slower end of normal, but a visit to a paed and a paediatric physiotherapist is never a waste. Best scenario, they ease your mind of the constant stress and worry. Worst case, you start early intervention earlier (and the earlier is always the better).

Best of luck

[akkiandmalli]

my DD was walking at 12 months but DS was a big baby and didnt even roll at all!! he walked at 15months without even crawling...
sounds normal esp if he is on the bigger side

[deejie]

At 9.5months corrected, I wouldn't be worried about crawling.
My own DS1 (no age correction issues) was also a big chubster. He didn't roll consistently tummy to back until 8m, back to tummy until 9m, crawled finally at 13.5months and then decided to get up and walk a few days later.

As always if you are concerned, seek help from a professional. Do you have a good MCHN you can talk to and ask for the details of a paed physio or ask your GP for a referral to paed?

[Done]

mine will be one at the end of May. only just starting to look like crawling now, with only one movement forward then stopping lol. really not keen on the idea at all this baby.

has been sitting ok for a few months though.

will not bear weight, hates putting feet down and any attempt to try to do it the feet are straight back up and not touching the ground.

has not enjoyed tummy time ever and not been a roller either.

but i'm confiedent baby will move in its own time, so no I wouldn't be too worried.

but if you are worried, go to the clinic, they will refer you to a pead physio and you will know for sure where your little one is at. you can either ring the clinic for an appointment or go to a drop in day, which will probably be quicker to see the nurse.

Good luck!!

[purple_daisy]

I agree with PP that a quick chat to your Child health nurse could put you at ease. DD only started sitting at 10 months and crawling at 11 months. She was born a little early (not too much) and our paediatric nurse told me that even two weeks prem can cause some babies to be up to a month behind their peers developmentally.
So being 6 weeks early I imagine your little one is just taking some time to come into their own
I understand your nerves, as we also had some issues and were worried about brain abnormalities and potential for slowed development but once DD finally started crawling (many months after every other child in mother's group I might add!) she picked it up in no time and now zips around the house.
HTH.

[kalikai]

AWWW thanks so much all. I had one of those horrible niggly feelings today that just wouldn't go away. Your posts have made me feel a lot better. Will give it a couple more months and see how the little chubby progresses.

[wannabe30]

.
but if you are worried, go to the clinic, they will refer you to a pead physio and you will know for sure where your little one is at.

I agree with this. I did the same for DS and the physio gave me exercises to encourage DS to crawl by strengthening the relevant muscles, but more importantly gave me the reassurance that everything was normal.

I'd also ditch the walker. Aside from being dangerous, they can delay crawling and walking. By supporting baby's weight they may delay muscle strengthening, and by giving bubs mobility they remove any incentive to crawl.

Good luck!

This post has been edited by wannabe30: 14/04/2012, 08:25 PM