Can’t crawl and hates tummy time

[Myusername2015]

Hi all my almost 1 year old is delayed in his gross motor. He can sit well but not transition to any other position..he also can’t weight bear at all and frog legs if made to try and stand up. Fine motor is excellent. He absolutely detests being on his tummy screams and immediately rolls back onto his back no matter what distraction I try! Has anyone got any ideas how to strengthen his core unless I physically hold him on his tummy (and he would be so distressed by that) I am getting really worried about him but gp doesn’t refer until 18 months here.

I’m surprised to be honest that the GP won’t refer. It’s fine that he’s not walking but if he can’t weight bear on his legs, that definitely needs checking out, if only to rule out a physical cause like problems with his legs.

Could you go back to the GP and insist on a referral to a Paediatrician? Could someone go with you for support?

It sounds like joints hypermobility. My DD was similar although her case was relatively mild. She liked tummy time, was very active and could get everywhere by rolling (from 6-7 months) but she didn't pull herself to standing until she was 13 months. She crawled on hands and knees at 13.5 months and walked on the day she turned 16 months.

I came up with the diagnosis myself after extensive googling (DD refused to bear weight on legs until she was 11 months). It was then confirmed by a physiotherapist (whom I have used privately). I initially tried my GP but he told me they do not refer until 18 months unless there are issues with both gross motor and fine motor skills.

Here is one of the websites with exercises I used for my DD:

skillsforaction.com/infant-joint-hypermobility

If your DS hates tummy time, it limits the choice but one of the options is get him to sit on a low block and encourage him to lean forward. Eventually he may start putting more and more weight on his legs.

I got a private physiotherapist to come in a couple of times but DD hated being touched by strangers and screamed through both sessions. As a result, we ended up doing "amateur physio" on our own.

Once your LO starts crawling, one of the best exercising for walking is crawling up the stairs. It made a big difference for my DD.