Concerns about 4.5 month old

[sophiegiraff1]

Hi,

I have a 4.5 month old DD. She seems to be on track with her physical milestones - rolls over, grasps objects, has begun to reach.

I'm becoming increasingly concerned about her social development. Areas of concern are:

She doesn't babble or coo (she does squeal, gurgles a little and shouts!)
She only holds eye contact for a few seconds
She doesn't seem very interested in faces (although she does watch people move about the room)
She doesn't like cuddles
She's very temperemental (cried for the first few weeks of her life and is being treated for reflux as it was thought this could be the cause)

On the plus side, she recognises DP and I and often beams and gets excited when she sees us. She tracks us across the room and will sometimes turn to our voices. We can engage her and make her laugh by tickling her, making funny noises etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this? It's starting to give me sleepless nights and I'm very worried.

Thanks for reading.

[GrimmauldPlace]

No offence, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, but... She's 4 months old! I think you're worrying a bit too prematurely. Especially as you say she babbles and shouts and is reaching her other milestones.

[Scicilly]

Oh gosh OP your dc sounds absolutely normal to me... children all develop at very different rates please don't over worry about this.

[Nicnak2223]

My son is 5 months and can't roll over, he has been sitting unaided since 3.5 months however.

They all do things in their own time. We can't say there isn't anything wrong with her but no need for the sleepless nights. (if she isn't awake nor should you be.)

I'd you are genuinely worried please speak to a hv or doctor about your DD or your anxiety. Either way it will help.

[oldjacksscrote]

My 5mo can't do half the physical things your baby can. Seriously it will all happen sooner than you think. Stop worrying and enjoy what he's doing now.

[daluze]

Sounds absolutely normal. My DS1 didn't like cuddles as a baby (it was very upsetting at the times!) but now is the cuddliest 3 year old. However, if you feel very anxious, it may be worth talking to GP.

[sophiegiraff1]

Thanks everyone for your reassuring posts. I admit I am a worrier. I think what I'm most worried about is her lack of interest in faces. I thought babies were 'programmed' to look at faces, rather than it being something that developed over time. She usually gives people a quick glance rather than a stare!

[Thataintnoetchasketch]

My 4&1/2 month old is too interested in everything going on round about him to study faces at the moment or make eye contact for long. There's too much else distracting him. He's only just starting to cuddle, some days he babbles constantly and others he doesn't make a peep. Sometimes he'll roll over and other days he'll just lie on his tummy & get frustrated and upset. It doesn't sound like your DS is missing milestones but maybe ask your HV to pop by for reassurance?

[Thataintnoetchasketch]

I meant DD sorry

[FourForYouGlenCoco]

Agree with PPs - don't fret! My DD was the most serious baby - I had to work incredibly hard to even get a smile out of her. She didn't laugh til she was nearly 6 months old. She is now the bubbliest, chattiest 3 year old and so confident socially. They are all different and they all develop at their own rate. Your DD sounds just fine!

[GrassW1dow]

she does sound totally and utterly normal to me OP!

[daluze]

Again, my DS1 was often turning away rather than looking into my face. I was worried sometimes, but I think he was just finding it quite intense and was often looking away because he was tired or distracted. Now, he has lots of friends, is very social and carin boy. DS2 could stare at faces all day though - so every baby is different!

[sophiegiraff1]

Thanks all for taking the time to post. I guess as a FTM I had images of DD and I cuddling up and gazing into each other's eyes lovingly for long periods of time like in the pictures in the baby books!

[Zaurak]

Sounds pretty normal. Looking intently into your eyes is actually very stimulating for a baby so they often tend to look them look away.
I think the book illustration babies are drugged.... 😁