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Original poster

9 month old cant hold head up

39 replies

mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 21:46

Just wondering if this is normal?

Dp and I looked after dp's nephew today and I've noticed that he can't hold his head up properly.

Also, if you sit him up, he falls to the left.

His head lolls to the left too, and he canstantly shakes his head too.

Is it anything to be concerned about do you think?

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maples · 09/06/2012 21:50

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Ponders · 09/06/2012 21:52

has he always been like this or is it a new thing?

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 21:53

I think you're right maples. I'm going to suggest that dad takes him next week.

Just wondering what it could mean or if anyone had any experience of this kind of thing.

To me, its just not right.

He also seems very vague. Not a very good description I know, but that's the only way I can word it.

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Original poster
mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 21:55

Always been the same ponders. He has quite a prominent forehead too.

But he's a lovely, lovely baby, no trouble at all. He just seems so so different to my dd when she was a baby, and so different to my friends baby who is a month older.

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Ponders · 09/06/2012 21:58

then this is definitely some form of developmental delay, & the onesidedness makes it sound more worrying.

IME most babies can hold their heads up long before 6 months, even if independent sitting is delayed.

It could be an inner ear/balance thing

ceeveebee · 09/06/2012 21:59

One of my NCT group's baby has a condition caled 'wry neck' although that's not the technical name for it! His head lolls to one side and he can't hold it upright very well. She took him to GP a few times before going private and getting a diagnosis. He is having physio twice a week to correct this.

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 22:00

Thanks ponders, I feel reassured now that I'm not imagining it iykwim?

I pointed it out to dp who is also concerned and will be mentioning it to his brother tonight.

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gnocci · 09/06/2012 22:00

I would be very worried about this and would definitely get him checked out with some urgency. Surprised it hasnt been spotted on any HV checks????

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 22:01

Thanks ceeveebee - will google wry neck, sounds similar

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Original poster
mumofjust1 · 09/06/2012 22:02

Gnocci, health visitor hasn't commented on it, nor has gp or practice nurse.

That's why I thought I was worrying over nothing - it hasn't been picked up.

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Ponders · 09/06/2012 22:07

\link{http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101002023445AAE2KmU\torticollis} is the posh name for wry neck

the leaning definitely fits, not sure about the shaking though, but definitely worth you mentioning it Smile

Wingdingdong · 09/06/2012 23:37

DD had torticollis, took a year of physio to correct. However, she was also very strong and could hold her head up by the 12w check up and sit up by herself by the 16w checkup. Torticollis involved muscles on one side being tighter/shorter than the other side so DD couldn't physically turn her head to the right; in this case it sounds like the baby's floppier than normal? DD certainly couldn't shake her head.

Whatever the diagnosis, I'd agree that it doesn't sound normal. Think it's luck of the draw with HVs. The ones we had with DD were bloody useless. She had been referred to Great Ormond Street for severe reflux, was on omeprazole, having 24hr pH probes, barium swallows, etc, and all the HVs ever said was "oooh, have you tried Infant Gaviscon? Infant Gaviscon is what you need for reflux". They'd never heard of torticollis, certainly wouldn't have noticed it.

YourCallIsImportant · 09/06/2012 23:39

My DS was walking at 9 months, so I'd say this definitely merits a check up.

GhouliaYelps · 09/06/2012 23:43

This needs checking out Smile

Practicallyperfectnot · 10/06/2012 17:43

Hypermobility can cause delayed head lag and feeling floppy. I would suggest asking gp to refer to paediatrician so that physio can be arranged to help develop head control and so on .... As you need head control before you can roll, sit etc.

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 10/06/2012 19:06

The baby spends most of his time in a car seat, could that have something to do with it?

Also, his left ear is curled where his head lolls to the left all the time.

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gnocci · 10/06/2012 19:36

When you say most of the time, what % of the day? Not an expert but I don't think that is a good thing at all.

As someone said above, my DS was running around at 9m.

Definitely needs a referral of some sort.

TwoBedsAndACoffeeMachine · 10/06/2012 20:37

He spends how much time roughly in a car seat? I know it's hard for you to be specific since he's not your DS but lolling so badly that his ear is curled on one side does not sound normal. Definitely encourage parents to get it checked out. My DS1 was craling by 9 months and walking at 10 months, DS2 is just 5 months and holds his head up perfectly and sits up well too so it doesn't sound like 'normal' development to me but then there are huge differences in how babies develop and when they do certain things. If he spends a lot of time in a car seat then it could just be that he isn't getting chance to excercise the muscles in his neck which would probably be easily rectified by letting him roll around on the floor and encouraging him to sit independantly without the car seat etc. Does he roll? Sit? Stand etc?

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 10/06/2012 20:38

Gnocci you're right, its really no good. From what I know, I'd say he spends 60% of the day in the car seat which looks to me to be a bit small.

Dad has left mum and has baby with him - not even sure if the place he's staying in has a cot. If it hasn't, dh and I will buy one.

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Original poster
mumofjust1 · 10/06/2012 20:39

Sorry, dP and I will buy one

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TwoBedsAndACoffeeMachine · 10/06/2012 20:44

60% of the day in a car seat is an awful lot. they're not really meant to be in them for more than a couple of hours a day as it's not good for their spine and can hinder their muscle development and posture. Also, I don't know of any baby that would be content with just sitting in a car seat for that long but I have had 2 miserable hard to please babies so maybe it's not that unusual. Both of mine wanted to be out the car seat as soon as the car stopped moving! Does he make eye contact and or wave, clap, babbe etc? Just wondering if there's something else causing the delay in his motor skills. Either way I would want a referral if it were my baby but you may have to tread carefully as his dad may be defensive.

Practicallyperfectnot · 10/06/2012 20:59

Do you think they need a social worker to help with their new lifestyle - and social services may be able to fund essential equipment, help with ideas how to look after the baby.

maples · 10/06/2012 21:02

This reply has been deleted

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LoopyLoopsCorgiPoops · 10/06/2012 21:05

I think he needs someone to support him in his parenting of he thinks that amount of time in a car seat is OK. SS or HV?

Original poster
mumofjust1 · 10/06/2012 21:12

Twobeds - I'm quite concerned about his development. Not just the neck and head thing either.

He doesn't babble the way other babies do, he doesn't seem quite "with it" he doesn't seem to take much notice of his surroundings, he hardly ever cries, he doesn't care who he's with - doesn't cry for mum or dad, I don't know - I hate to say it, and I feel awful, but he doesn't seem normal.

As I said, he's lovely and we love him regardless :(

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