Daughter behind on milestones

[user2085372673]

Hi everyone,

This has probably been done lots of times but my 16 month old is behind on almost all her milestones.

I took her for her 12 month check and she wasn’t moving, babbling, waving and pointing etc, so they referred us to the child development paediatricians.

We saw the paediatrician today and they assessed her and she’s about 4 months behind accross the board. The doctor said that they can’t guarantee anything but that in most cases it does sort itself out, but I’m still feeling sad and worried. She’s such a gorgeous little girl and it breaks my heart to think she will struggle. She is really happy and so that is the most important thing. They have recommended some physio as she seems to be a bit hyper mobile which could be part of the problem. She’s had a hearing test and that came back ok.

I guess I’m just looking for stories where this kind of thing has sorted itself out. Any advice? I try and talk to her all the time and get her moving whenever I can. I’ll start taking her to soft play as much as I can and going to sign her up to tumble tots.

Thanks in advance.

I can understand you being upset but you are right to focus on the positives, she does sound like a lovely little girl.

If she’s not talking yet, did they mention using Makaton signs with her? It’s simplified signs that can help to communicate with you.

Hace you thought of trying swimming with her too? Sone pools offer parent and baby/toddler sessions. Might be an alternative to soft play

The thing I’ve heard is that babies all develop at different rates and all catch up by 3 years old; no matter how fast some dc got to the milestones they’re no further ahead in the end. At 3 you’d never know which child did what first and nor will it matter. Your daughter will catch up and it sounds like she’s an amazing little girl. Hope you feel better op

Yep my ds was behind on all those milestones at 12m check. Fast forward to now age 3 and he's doing every thing he should and more.i hate these development checks they just make you feel your a shit parent if your child isn't doing something. Unfortunately babies dont read the "handbook " on what they should or shouldn't be doing at certain ages and majority get there in their own time. Please try to enjoy your baby and not worry

Thanks everyone, so kind to hear success stories. We’ve been doing Makaton and she seems to think it’s funny when I do it and loves Mr Tumble so I’m going for it with that.

I really hate the milestones, it makes you feel like you’ve failed in some way and not done enough with them to encourage it, however, I guess better to have them in place so we can intervene early. Plus I didn’t know how important vitamin D drops were until I saw the doctors so we’ve started those.

I just give a multivitamin with vitamin d in already and give ds it in his yoghurt.

Yes definitely give those. Glad she’s liking the Makaton too