PreTerm Baby

[jimmyinin]

My DS was 5 weeks premature and we have noticed certain issues with his development. He is 13 months now and has started to crawl and does stand up by holding anything which is in the way but when he walks with support, he tends to apply pressure on his paws and lifts his foot up, so practically he never has put his foot down till date- Not sure if it is lack of confidence but I cannot understand if this could be an issue.

He also struggles to relate to toys, he rather play with anything apart from toys for him.

Can someone kindly advise?

Is it a worrying situation ?

If you mean he's walking on his tip toes it's quite common when kids start to walk because they're not used to the sensation of the floor on their foot (if it persists for years it might indicate a sensory processing problem if accompanied by other symptoms but is nothing at to worry about now). Lots of kids prefer other objects to toys - they see you using pots/pans/Hoover eat and naturally that's wht they want. Toys tend to become more interesting once they get on to imaginary play around 18 months. Pre term babies even more than full term babies tend to have their own schedule. Doesn't sound like there's any cause for concern with your son. He's within normal range.

Has he had his one year review? Or due one? I'm sure you'll be able to discuss your concerns then and see what they say. I'm sure they'll assess his language, behaviour etc.

My DD although not premature (but 2 of her siblings are) walked on tip toes, still does now at 3yo have to tell sometimes to walk on her feet. DD2 (preemie) is now walking and is walking on all of her feet (if that's the right word for it).

My children were both prem. DS (36 weeks) is too little to be walking but DD (33 weeks) is nearly 3. They do seem to work to their own development timescales but we can't see any difference between DD and her friends now.
I do have a friend whose DS (not prem) was a late walker and walked a bit strangely with one foot turned in. He wasn't walking by 18 months and that seemed to be the timescale for the GP to refer him for checks. In his case there is something adrift with one of his hips which they are keeping an eye on but it is sorting itself out.
So probably don't worry about it (easier said than done) until 18 months (corrected, I assume) then go to the GP if not walking by that stage.

I've also got a 13 month old ds (born at 39 week's so full term), he also crawling and standing against furniture. He has only walked along furniture to get to raisins and is showing no signs of wanting to walk. We had our 12 month check and they said it's nothing to worry about provided he is moving and getting where he wants to go that's fine. If he isn't walking at 18month's then they start investigating it.

Oh and also mines favorite 'toys' are the pan cupboard, fire wood and some packs of post it notes, the only real toys he likes are some instruments for kids. His favorite place a nursery is the kitchen! Again nothing for concern, nursery and doctor say it's all normal development.