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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there such a thing as a late developer?

16 replies

Carrotmouse · 08/12/2023 21:55

My 7 y/o DS has not lost any teeth, still wets the bed and is noticeably shorter than his peers (despite DH and I being way above average height). AIBU to think these things are linked and that he is behind/developing more slowly than the average? I’m not worried, he’s fine, but it just occurred to me that maybe this is a thing.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 08/12/2023 21:56

It’s something I’d run past the GP, just to be sure that they don’t need to do anything.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/12/2023 21:59

For every bell curve there is an outlier and statistically someone will be an outlier in a few ways. The height things is interesting if you are both very tall. I would chat to a doctor just in case. Did you both shoot up or were you tall the whole time?

GoodLooking4MyAge · 08/12/2023 21:59

Has he been to a dentist recently.

Being a late developer is definitely a thing.

IveOnlyEverHeardOutwithONHere · 08/12/2023 22:03

Yeah, definitely worth mentioning to GP just to put your minds at ease. Having very tall parents and being a late developer probably means he’s going to be a giant though, so things will probably look very different in 10 years time.

Original poster
Carrotmouse · 08/12/2023 22:07

I don’t think the GP would take much interest tbh but I will take him to the dentist. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him though, he’s just doing everything late…

OP posts:
HamstersAreMyLife · 08/12/2023 22:08

Speak to the GP and dentist. I know the teeth are fine because I had to take my 7yo as he hadn't lost teeth and his younger brother had. Dentist said give it a year and only then would they investigate as it all looked OK and he's now lost many although still slightly behind peers. I don't have experience of this combined with other points mentioned but I suspect there is a very wide range of experiences, we certainly have a friend who's son wet the bed to a similar age and my 8yo occasionally does too. It's probably not an issue but worth seeking reassurance.

Original poster
Carrotmouse · 08/12/2023 22:08

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/12/2023 21:59

For every bell curve there is an outlier and statistically someone will be an outlier in a few ways. The height things is interesting if you are both very tall. I would chat to a doctor just in case. Did you both shoot up or were you tall the whole time?

I was always tall but think my DH only shot up as a teenager

OP posts:
Original poster
Carrotmouse · 08/12/2023 22:09

And I was just thinking that maybe it isn’t a coincidence that he’s an outlier in all those things - maybe they link together?

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 08/12/2023 22:10

Individually none of those would even be worth a thought (for example, (anecdote alert) DBIL was short until he was 14 or so and is now 6’6”). I might be tempted to see a GP at 8 if teeth and bed wetting persist.

TookTheBook · 08/12/2023 22:11

Why wouldn't you go to the GP?

Have you still got his NHS red book? In mine there are growth charts up to age 16. Measure him and see where he hits on the percentiles. If he's way off the bottom, then personally I'd ask a professional opinion.

tunainatin · 08/12/2023 22:12

My DS was very much like this. Developing and progressing but behind most of his peers. He seemed to suddenly catch up around year 3/4. He's year 8 now and doing really well.

Beginningless · 08/12/2023 22:17

My DD was very slow to lose her first tooth and now at almost 8 she’s just lost her 4th one, when most of her friends have lost at least double that. I’m curious about why but tend to think it’s a good thing as she’ll be better able to take care of the teeth coming in with more maturity. She also bed wet until 6/7 but now is dry with a very occasional accident. She is very tall. I know all anecdotal but I don’t think any of these things are linked.

ebts · 08/12/2023 22:28

I was tiny as a child, always the smallest in the class by a long way. I can remember my (tallish) parents showing some concern. My periods didn't start until I was 16 when I had a sudden growth spurt and grew breasts over the space of a few weeks! My adult height is around 5' 7", and I am large boobed! One of my daughters followed a similar trajectory, whilst the other's development took after the women on her father's side of the family.

MsCactus · 08/12/2023 22:32

Me and my brothers were all small growing up and late developers physically. My older brother still had some baby teeth aged 16.

What's interesting is that all our family have died age 100+, one died recently aged 112.

We all look v young in our 30s and I have a theory that we developed late and are consequently aging slower genetically. Who knows.

Maybe your DC is the same!

Original poster
Carrotmouse · 08/12/2023 22:36

Love this @MsCactus ! Hoping this signifies a long life.

OP posts:
PurpleNebula84 · 08/12/2023 23:02

ebts · 08/12/2023 22:28

I was tiny as a child, always the smallest in the class by a long way. I can remember my (tallish) parents showing some concern. My periods didn't start until I was 16 when I had a sudden growth spurt and grew breasts over the space of a few weeks! My adult height is around 5' 7", and I am large boobed! One of my daughters followed a similar trajectory, whilst the other's development took after the women on her father's side of the family.

Loving your use of the word "trajectory"... Fabulous word. Not used often enough IMO.

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