DS (16 weeks) can't /won't lift his head yet...

[Chaotica]

DS is 16 weeks old and can't or won't lift his head at all when he's on his tummy. Anyone else's DC done this? Should I be worried yet?

(I'm just beginning to think that I should have him checked by the GP... Some reassurance that I'm just being paranoid would be nice! Or just tell me to phone the GP...)

FWIW (although these might not be related to my question) he also has quite a flat head on one side, and one pupil is slightly smaller than the other (it doesn't dilate as much in dim light).

His other movements seem fine (although his head tends to drop forward when he's sitting). I know all babies develop at different rates, but there just seems to be no change with this no matter how much tummy time he has. (I also had various problems in this pregnancy which make me a little nervous.)

I wouldn't worry. I spent months worrying about what my ds was doing when (I remember fretting about his lack of rolling over) and he achieved all the major milestones.

I'd phone your GP and see if he thinks he should check him out - mostly cause you are worried and hopefully he'll be able to reassure you.

chaotica, i also wouldn't worry have you mentioned to your HV?

does your ds tend to favour oneside when he lies down? ifso try and make sure you turn hes head if you can so he is not always laying on one side

im sure its nothing to worry about, but if it makes you feel better why not get it checked out

Yes -- I phoned the hv and left a message today but she hasn't phoned back (although she usually does). I figure that she's seen enough babies to give me an idea of whether I should take it further (every list of milestones says he should be able to do much more than he can).

I keep turning his head to get it off the flat side and I've been trying to interest him in raising it with toys etc, but he's just not going for it.

I suppose I'm only worried in case he needs physio or something as a referral will probably take ages. (Also trying for the MN sod's law effect where I post about a problem and it goes away within a day or two )

Just in case anyone searches on a similar topic and gets annoyed by the lack of clear advice, the advice I've been given is to get DS to a GP as he probably needs a referral to physio at least.

Hi Chaotica - just to let you know that one of my 8 yr old twins had a problem with his head as a baby. Couldnt turn it or lift it one way or the other (cant remember which now - its amazine how critical these things are at the time but then the details fade over the years.)

Anyway - he ended up needing some physio over quite a long period of time but all completely fine in the end. (in fact id almost forgotten about it till i saw your message.)

Hope all goes well.

thanks for posting Kizzie. Glad to hear your DS is well.

Chaotica - my ds wouldn't lie on his tummy or lift his head to the point that he learned to crawl from sitting, and when he crawled he faced the floor and used to have to stop and sit to see where he was going!
He's now 23 months and perfectly normal - I just put it down to being a bit stiff and inflexible in his neck.
I'd ask your hv/gp if you're worried, but maybe give it time and see what happens...