My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Parenting

Worried about baby’s development

5 replies

Tomandnic1 · 02/04/2020 15:37

Hi all,
My little girl is 14 weeks old but was born two weeks early. She’s an absolute dream, so smiley and happy but I am worried about her development.
She doesn’t really hold her body weight up with her arms when she’s doing tummy time but she does lift her head. She just keeps her arms by her side!
Also, she shows interest in toys etc, but I’m getting concerned that she’s not grabbing them. She does occasionally bat at them but hasn’t made any attempts to hold them!
Please do tell me if I’m being overly panicky but I just worry that my baby isn’t developing as she should - can anyone recommend anything to help me with these things?
Thank you, hope you are all keeping safe. X

OP posts:
Report
BumpLoading · 02/04/2020 18:28

She doesnt sound like shes behind I wouldn't worry Smile

Have you tried putting her hands in front of her for tummy time? Once I started doing that with my DS he massively improved tummy time as he was just lifting his head with his arms flapping at his side at first.

Report
snowy0wl · 02/04/2020 18:30

Hi OP. All babies develop at different rates, but it is easy to panic if they don't appear to be meeting the milestones dictated in books (or by friends), especially if this is your first baby. My daughter is just under 5 months old (2 weeks early like yours) and I think she was still just batting things at 14 weeks, then one day she started to grab the toys. Do you have an activity centre you can attach rattles and toys to? Regarding tummy time, just keep doing a little each day and she will get there.

From what you have written, I personally think you don't have anything to worry about. It sounds like you are doing a great job. xx

Report
snowy0wl · 02/04/2020 18:31

Anther thought - you may find it helpful to put a small pillow or rolled up towel under your daughter's chest during tummy time. It can provide a bit of extra support.

Report
amazedmummy · 02/04/2020 18:35

DS had only just started doing some of these things now. He's 19 weeks. He's only started grabbing and playing with toys really this week. He could hold his head up from birth as he was a big boy but in the last few weeks has begun to hold his head up all the time using his hands to support his chest. My health visitor wasn't concerned when she saw us about a month ago.

Report
ThePurpleMoose · 02/04/2020 18:35

For tummy time I sometimes used to put DD with her chest on the padded edge of her playmat which gave her a bit of a lift - maybe that would encourage your DD to discover the use of her arms? I wouldn't worry just yet though - just keep trying and I'm sure she'll get it.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.