Should I be worried??

[Eloise97]

Hi, my little boy was in ICU over Christmas and new year. He is 8 months old now and isn't rolling over or sitting unaided. He also isn't interested in solids.

Could the fact that he was in ICU have affected his development??

How is his belly time? Does he like/tolerate? Is he lifting himself up on his arms? Is he trying to change location/move? If you leave him on his back what happens?

It depends, I think some are later than others but if he is totally stationery maybe I'd ask the GP for help?

Is he sitting unaided even for a few seconds before falling over? Does he roll front to back? My DS only rolled back to front just before 9 months and started sitting without falling at 10.5 months. Just started pulling to stand in last few days at 11 months. He didnt get much tummy time until 8 months for various reasons so think this slowed him down, but I started putting him on the floor most of the time he was awake and this seems to have helped. How is he if you put him on his tummy? What does he do?

@ZooKeeper19

How is his belly time? Does he like/tolerate? Is he lifting himself up on his arms? Is he trying to change location/move? If you leave him on his back what happens?

It depends, I think some are later than others but if he is totally stationery maybe I'd ask the GP for help?

Thanks for the reply. He isn't a massive fan but will tolerate it. Yes he is lifting his head up and can put his weight on his hands

He can sit unaided for a few seconds but then falls to the side. He doesn't mind his tummy time and will reach for toys

My DS was the same at that age, and would fall to the side or back after a few seconds. Gradually he got better at sitting for longer by getting him interested in a toy in front of him so he was leaning forward a bit and eventually he stopped falling. I wouldnt be too worried although i know that's easier said than done (I worried too!) and just give him more time to practice and he should get there. You should have a health visitor review in the next few months and if you don't see him gradually improving you can discuss it with them.

@Eloise97 in that case I'd try to get as much tummy time in as possible. They like different things too (our one likes bath tummy time).

A physio showed me how to encourage rolling back to front (basically sitting at their side, showing them a toy or something they really really want [-like your phone-] having them reach with the opposite hand but it has to be mid-body, not at head height so he reaches down and across rather than upwards, if this makes sense).

But if his head holding and his hands are strong I would try to worry less (I would still worry, it brings nothing but makes me feel like at least I am aware [shrug]).

Basically as long as they have plenty of chances to be themselves, on a hard surface at home or somewhere, and they get angry and frustrated at being unable to change positions, eventually they will try and do something about it.

Just don't be tempted to ease the frustration by picking up/sitting up but rather show him how to roll, put legs under himself etc so he has something to think about while screaming about not being able to move :) (hope this is not too harsh...).

@ZooKeeper19 that's all really helpful!! Im hoping he just rolls one day. He can do it if I'm holding his hand and that's all I'm doing, I'm not rolling him over myself.

@Cdl84 my eldest did these things so much earlier but I suppose all babies are different