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Worried about 12 month old DS's development

6 replies

Hedger · 10/12/2013 22:32

I am worried about my 12 month old DS's development and I have noticed that he isn't doing the things the other children in his baby class are doing (although admittedly most of them are a 2-3 months older). In particular, he isn't:

  • pointing;
  • responding to his name;
  • waving;
  • holding his own bottle; or
  • copying actions and gestures (such as touching nose, touching toes, clapping hands, banging a drum, etc.).

In his class, most of the other babies are sitting and paying attention to the woman running the class and copying her actions (at least to some extent) but my DS is constantly fidgeting/seeming restless and completely ignores what she is doing or what I try to get him to do.

I think he is otherwise OK - he has good eye contact, smiles and laughs a fair amount, enjoys being swung around, enjoys playing with his toys, sleeps and eats very well, is crawling (in a lop-sided kind of way), walking (holding my hands) and will do things such as, if I bang two blocks together, he will take them and do the same. He is very large (99th percentile height and weight) and I have heard larger babies are generally a bit slower at such things - is that right?

I am a first time mother and have recently become very worried about this - would you please let me know what age your children met these milestones and if you think I should take him to a doctor?

Many thanks.

OP posts:
Jiltedjohnsjulie · 10/12/2013 23:27

Think he's doing better than my DS at that age. I worried myself half sick but looking back the babies I was comparing him with were older and girls. My DS is also very good at looking like he's not paying any attention whatsoever but is taking it all in.

If you are worried, there's no harm in asking your HV to assess him but try not to compare, it will drive you nuts.

TheBakeryQueen · 11/12/2013 20:59

He sounds great to me! Curious & lively. They change so much in such a short space of time at this age so a child only a little bit older can seem to do much more.

MiaowTheCat · 11/12/2013 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ktef · 12/12/2013 06:42

My ds1 didn't do any of those things at a year either. I was very worried. He didn't say a word til 2 and never babbled or anything. He is fine now and talks all the time. If you are worried go to the hv though.

BarbarianMum · 12/12/2013 10:54

Unless you are decribing a coincidence, then this is copying.

Ignoring stuff in baby class is absolutely fine - my ds1 continued ignoring and sitting apathetically in 'Music Time' til the age of 2 when I realised duh he wasn't interested and stopped taking him (he was fine out of class).

Things like not pointing, or sharing attention (eg bringing you something to look at) are important and if your ds is not doing them by 18 mo then I would speak to your GP but 18 months is not 12 months, or 13 months, or 14 etc - those months make a huge difference.

Responding to their name is always totally unreliable, I found. Does he respond to you saying the name of things he is very motivated by (banana, daddy, car) - both my ds would ignore their names but look for said object at around that age?

A baby's size makes no difference to the rate of their development btw

Newmama232 · 29/04/2023 13:53

@Hedger hi how is your little boy doing? Xx

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