14 month old won’t sit up and I’m worried

[emmamat2904]

My baby was born 12 weeks early last year. Corrected age is now just over 11 months.

There have been lots of issues along the way including severe reflux, chronic lung disease and an inguinal hernia which required key hole surgery.

I have been trying plenty of tummy time but baby quickly loses interest and face plants or chews on hands rather than stay up (not helped by teething at the minute). Also still not great and getting from front to back, though back on to front is very good.

Have tried different support seats and positions holding baby for support (between legs,etc) and various exercises to bring baby to sit/stand up.

Contacted health visitor previously about concerns but little feedback other than ‘keep doing what your doing’.

I’m worried that something more serious may be the case for missing this milestone now. Any further advice or suggestions?

GP. I think you have a collection of reasonable concerns there. You’ve tried the health visitor, they weren’t much use.

Alternatively, are you under the hospital for any of the other issues? You could raise this at your next appointment, or phone your specialist nurse for advice.

Does baby stay in a sitting position if you put them there? Or can they not maintain it at all?

Does your child have a paediatrician for the various other issues ? If not I would second the Gp.

Baby will sit upright for a few seconds but tends to grab for feet or wobble sideways. Sometimes goes a bit longer when concentrating on something above but inevitably falls over again

I’m an ex health visitor and neonatal intensive care nurse .
That’s a very reasonable cause for concern . If your baby was 12 weeks preterm then I’m assuming that you’re still linked in with paediatric services ?
In any event , your baby needs to be assessed by a paediatrician .If you have one then contact the dept and let them know your concerns . Otherwise contact your GP.
Can your baby weight bear on their legs if you hold them up?

Oh yes baby can bear weight on legs being held up. Can actually stand on own when leaning on coffee table after being positioned there.

I don’t think the keyhole of for hernia helped with core strength (operated on at 5 months old) but it just seems to be taking forever to build that strength

Has always been a fussy eater as well. Reflux didn’t help this either. Even now gaining weight but only just within guidelines.

That’s a very good sign re being able to weight bear. Would definitely get baby seen though

How is baby doing in terms of other milestones like speech? I agree that GP seems a good idea.