least mobile baby in the nursery, should I worry?

[woodworm]

My 14 month old is a wonderful happy little girl, and although she was a little late to sit and never learnt to crawl I have not been worried as she seemed otherwise OK. However she recently moved up a room in nursery to a 12 to 18 month age group, and it's becoming obvious that she simply isn't as mobile as the other babies. She has recently begun to bottom shuffle, but doesn't crawl and has only pulled herself up once (unsuccessfully!). She can stand and walk holding onto 2 hands but often leans on me for support even then. I worry that she is getting trampled by the other mobile little ones and beginning to wonder if all this slowish development is significant.

ds was also that baby
Didn't crawl til 14/15 mths, pull up at all til about 16 mths,or walk til just under 18 mths. Never bottom shuffled much. He learnt to stand one week, and walked the next.
He's now 3 and perfectly normal. Well, his walking is anyway

She's probably just watching and waiting, and one day will run and run and run and run - and become the Speedy Gonzalez of nursery! Don't worry, they all do things at different times. My DD was an early talker and all DS does is say 'football' from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed. (he's 18 mths) Whatever you ask him the answer is football.... 'do you love Mama, monkey?' (he nods) 'football'. My hope is he will turn pro by the time he is school age His cousin is 2 mths younger and she just won't stop talking.

My son was very late in speech, and the health vis sent him for tests etc. He soon picked it up and when he did it was very quickley. Dont worry, we were so concerned as we were made to think he had problems because he did not develop at the same rate as other children, now at the age of 10 he is one of the brightest in his class, please dont worry.

TBH I think she quite likes sitting and shouting to get what she wants, she has started to point at things, (usually sharp, dirty or otherwise out of bounds) and then yell while pointing at herself.

She sounds bright as a button, and very content.

Thanks Vixma, I can see that she's alert and interested in life so I should prob stop worrying, Walking and talking are just crude measures I think.

Well, woodworm, your little girl is certainly not daft, is she???? . If I could sit and point at things and get them I would never move from the sofa. In fact I think I may try it tomorrow . My friend's ds was a late walker (he was nearly 18mths when he took his first steps) and he's sooooo clever (he's now 6). She used to try and encourage him to move by putting things just out of his reach. It didn't really work, he just ignored them!

I totally agree, she sounds so aware of her surroundings so she will pick things up in no time at all. You worry because your a good mum, which is a great thing.

One advantage is she can't cause quite as much chaos as other babies her age, we watch her make a dash for freedom and then eventually have to get up a stop her as she inches slowly towards the door .

I'm going to say the opposite here, I would be concerned if it was my child. It may be nothing of course, but I think I'd see my GP to rule things out, however insignificant it might be

I igree that u could see your doctor/ health visitor as they are there to support you as the mother and the child, however they can put a little pressure on as children do not comply with development stages, however if concern is there consuting these guys is a good idea. My child was not speeking in time with their development goals, however he is fine.

Hi Woodworm,you have my sympathies,my dd is sixteen months and has only just started to bottom shuffle.She does not pull herself up or anything.I have been worried and am taking her to hv soon.(there are a few other issues regarding speech etc)

It is good that your dd is able to point to signify her needs.She is probably very clever and has sussed that everyone will run round after her while she puts in minimum effort!!! Wish I could develop that skill!!

All I can say is thet if you are concerned please see your hv to get her assessed, and set your mind at rest.I can understand how you feel as it is upsetting seeing your own child developing so much more slowly than their peers or their sibs at a comparative age.She sounds gorgeous BTW.

I also think you should take her to your GP or HV and express your concerns. Most likely they will tell you there is nothing to worry about, but very occassionally of course there is something of concern that needs looking into and sometimes treatment eg. sessions with a physiotherapist. The earlier problems are identified, the better. But hopefully there are no problems in your dd's case

Purely a personal observation from reading far too many parenting forums....but Ive noticed that bum shufflers seem to walk later than babies who crawl....I would be inclined to go with it...maybe she is just growing her communication skills atm & the physical ones will come later...My own DS sat up, crawled & walked a little later than vurtually every other baby I knew irl...but he was very good with his fine motor skills & communications from a fairly early age...I just figure they cant develop everything at the same rate or they would be having a permanent growth spurt phase - not something I would want

My ds also started bottom shuffling at around 14 months and has never crawled. He is now 23 months and is still not walking properly, although he has been cruising round furniture for a couple of months and can walk holding one hand. Last week he took his first steps on his own, but he can only do 3 or 4 in one go and he needs a lot of encouragement.

Woodworm, I would have been worried like you if I hadn't seen my sister's dd go through the same thing. She didn't walk till after her second birthday, but she is now 3 and is walking and running like the other children. My sister went to see GPs, health visitors, a child psychologist and a child physiotherapist. None of it made any difference - my niece walked when she was ready and I'm sure my ds will do the same.

I agree with terramum: bottom shufflers are nearly always later walkers. Also, bottom shuffling/late walking runs in families. This does NOT mean your child will be uncoordinated or crap at sport in later life.

I had 2 bottom shufflers - ds walked at 17 months and dd3 at 21months . neither pulled themselves up, or seemed capable of walking along holding onto me, but both are absolutely fine now. I don't think doctors start getting even slightly concerned until 2 years of age, and even then it is common for bottom shufflers to be very late walkers.

Tutti Frutti I am unco-ordinated and very crap at sport, so dd may inherit that anyway! Saw health visitor in January who seemed unconcerned, I have moved house so will need to register with a new practice and HV - so will mention this to them. - but i'd like to avoid medicalising this if possible.

Actually so am I , and I was a late walker (but 15 months instead of 2 years)!

My cousin though is very sporty and he was a bottom shuffling late walker (21 months).

I don't think you need to medicalise this, unless you feel it might set your mind at rest to talk to someone.