Almost 5 month old developmental concerns

[Songbird87]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some reassurance more than anything. My daughter is 1 week shy of being 5 months old. I keep reading that she should be doing things by now and it is causing me some anxiety. My main concerns are that although she can grasp things in her hands and put them to her mouth, she doesn't really reach for objects unless I put them right next to her hands. We never did much tummy time due to awful reflux but have started a little recently and she doesn't push up very well with her arms. She can lift her head but doesn't seem to use her arms to lift off the floor. When I'm holding her she has fantastic head control and can sit up with support. She interacts well and is laughing/smiling. She coos alot but hasn't babbled yet. I would love to hear from some mums in a similar situation to reassure me a bit!!!

My son is 19 weeks he also has severe reflux; he can roll over onto his front and just about pull his hands up in front of him and hold himself up, but only slightly, his arms often get stuck and it takes him a while to figure it out. His head control is fantastic but he doesn't push himself up much, but to be honest, he is more interested in chewing his arms or the floor! He's doing it more and more though so I have faith he will do everything In his own time!

In terms of grasping, he doesn't reach out much either, I mean he is definitely interested If say he is sat on my lap , he will stare like mad at say the water bottle on the table and sometimes whack it off (thanks) but will confidently grab if I put something in front of his face, he often drops it in a matter of seconds!

Your LO sounds fine. They all develop differently.

Hi JessUkUs,

Thanks so much for your reply. I hope your sons reflux is improving now. I can honestly say that my daughters reflux has been one of the most distressing things for both of us. Thankfully it is starting to improve now.

Your sons developmental sounds similar to my daughter so that does reassure me. I can see definite improvement all the time so I am sure she will get there in her own time. I can't help but worry as I'm suffering with postnatal anxiety which doesn't help.

Does your little boy babble yet? My LO makes a lot of ooooooh's and aaaaaahs. She sqeels and laughs but no babbling yet....

His reflux has also been the worst and most stressful thing, he also has CMPA so it's all one big battle. His reflux however is much better and thankfully I saw a wonderful private paediatrician who gave us Omeprazole and has been the best thing ever. He can now lay down and doesn't complain - that's a big achievement!

His development changes so quickly, one day he was trying to get his feet (that took him a while) and then one day I turned around and he was chewing his feet- lovely! He's trying his very best to sit up but just looks like he is doing sit ups!

Babbling....he makes noises all day, not sure what they are haha. He's a very noisy little boy and they tend to be oooohhh and aaahhhh and ggaahhhh and blowing bubbles all day.

I too have PND and understand the constant worries but I also remind myself that he seems to be a very happy little boy and babies love to make you worry!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. I really appreciate it. PND and anxiety are a constant battle for me but it is definitely improving. My little one also found her feet just suddenly one day. It's the cutest thing. My first was doing so much more by now and I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that all babies do things in their own time!!! X

Hi Songbird87
Children develop at different rates. Your daughter may seem a little later at doing some things but may be ahead in another area of development. Try not to worry. There are things you can do to help her. Like placing cushions around her to encourage her to sit up on her own. I dedicate a chapter in my book to ages and stages of development. You just have to encourage your daughter to do the things you want her to do. I hope this helps.

Hi mammoore,

Thanks so much for replying. I will continue to encourage her to meet her milestones but I think as she is currently cutting teeth she is more interested in eating her hands/toys than doing much else at the moment. What is your book called? X

Songbird87 Your daughter will be teething for quite a while. I hope she’s not too irritated by it. Teething Ice rings used to give a lot of comfort to my children. My book is HOMESCHOOLING: 29 YEARS Educating For Success From Conception Onwards and gives an insight into how my husband and I taught our children the life skills necessary to be happy, creative, productive, responsible, well balanced, young people. I am Mama Moore and I shares my tried and tested theories on how to promote emotional intelligence and good mental health. I share my accounts on how we prepared our four children for the complexities of life such as problem solving and overcoming failure from conception to birth and beyond.

She is currently cutting 2 teeth so is quite unsettled at the moment. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I will take a look at your book x

You are most welcome and thank you. You should find my book helpful. There’s a lot on interacting with babies and helping them to develop. My contact details are in the book if you need it. Take care and best wishes for you and your baby.