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20 month old unable to get himself up from sitting

4 replies

OnePlusOneMakesMoreThanTwo · 14/11/2013 18:23

Has anyone had this problem?

My 20 month old is a confident walker. However, he never crawled and has therefore missed out on the skill of pulling himself up. It used to just be a pain as every time he fell down, I would have to pick him up, but now I am getting concerned as to how to tackle it.

I spoke to a health visitor over the phone and she asked if it's a matter of he can't or won't and I genuinely think it's because he can't. This is because when I try to encourage him to get himself up he tries, but gets very worked up. In these same efforts and for the same motivation, he has learned how to bum-shuffle a little, but still after a few moves forward he gets frustrated.

If he falls down next to the couch or something else low, he sometimes tries to pull himself up and is then sometimes successful. We have never seen him stood up in his cot, although he is often sat-up which I assume he is doing by pulling onto the bars. He isn't able to climb the stairs or anything either - again I assume this is related.

The health visitor said to try leaving the room for a couple of minutes to see what happens and if he doesn't get up then to go to the doctor. I do this anyway tbh and besides, I can't help feeling though that it's not because he has a physical disability, but more that he has just missed out on a vital skill. His nursery manager described it today as it's though his knees are not used to the pressure and he has to get familiar with that feeling.

Any advice or suggestions would be great! If not, I will pop along to the doc.

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ICameOnTheJitney · 14/11/2013 23:58

I think you should see the doctor...it's only going to stress you out until you see if there is some issue or if it's just one of those things. My older DD didn't crawl either...she had no difficulty in standing from sitting or in pulling up....can I ask though, is he a big child? My experience is bigger babies and toddlers tend to be slightly slower in getting up and around sometimes....it could just be that...or nothing...but you'd better get him checked over just to be sure.

MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 15/11/2013 13:12

I think he needs to see a paediatrician, and probably a referral to a neuromuscular doctor. I'm sorry if that sounds alarmist, but not being able to pull himself up or climb stairs suggests a muscle problem that needs investigation and muscular dystrophy ruled out.

It may be NOTHING at all.. just from being a non crawler. My son didn't walk til he was over two and we had every test under the sun (he has weak muscle tone) but the docs felt it very important to rule out more serious causes.. also if there IS a problem he can be helped sooner.

Forget the HV they are not knowlegeable enough..

Artandco · 15/11/2013 13:25

A few things to try:

  • can you get one of those pop up tunnels and see if he will crawl/ slide through to you if your at the other end
  • get one of those bouncy animals you get now. Kind of like a bouncer ball but sturdy to sit on and bounce around. Will help leg muscles. Oh called ' happy hopperz bouncer'

I would still go and get him checked just to be sure though, but children do develop at very different stages.

OnePlusOneMakesMoreThanTwo · 16/11/2013 10:58

Thank you all for your advice! It is great to have some different suggestions too!

I was supposed to go to the doctor yesterday, but I postponed it to have a concerted effort over the weekend and see how he got on. We have been trying to show him different ways of getting up, but he gets very distressed and seems to be in pain so I will definitely rearrange the doctor's appointment and take him in the week. I assume Medusaishavingabadhairday that they will refer me to a paeditatrician if needs be. I am surprised really that the health visitor didn't want to see him in action first?!

Icameonthejitney, good thinking, but no he is just average size really so I don't think it's a size issue.

Artandco I love the idea of the bouncy animal! I think it would really get him aware of his knees and like you say build up strength.

Thank you all again for your advice and suggestions! I don't feel so silly about taking him to the doctor now!

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