Hi all,
My baby boy is almost 3 months old. For weeks, I’ve suspected there’s something going on with him. Everyone tells me he’s fine.
Physical:
Hardly any head/neck/upper arm strength during tummy time, even though he holds his head up pretty well when we hold him...
Stares off into space a lot, even though he does make a lot of eye contact when he wants to, smiling at lights and ceiling fans (I know this is a baby thing but it seems extreme)
Still clenches hands a lot, though he is able to open them
Has his legs bent a lot like a frog as opposed to stretched out, but he kicks a lot
He doesn’t bat at toys, he just lays there with his arms splayed out or flailing randomly
Behavioral:
He has never acknowledged me as his mommy. It makes me cry. He’s indifferent. Even though we breastfeed and I thought that would really help us to bond. I picked him up from my mom’s today and he wouldn’t even look at me even though I tried to get him to smile and make some kind of connection
Lots of fussiness, screams and squeals, kicks and pushes away when you hold him or try to soothe him
Doesn’t seem to like to be touched - if I try to hold his hand he pulls away or rub his back he gets annoyed
Weird feeding habits...has been gaining weight but sleeps through feedings sometimes, doesn’t make it obvious he’s hungry, or sometimes he seems hungry and doesn’t eat
So I know he’s only 3 months, so he’s just a little guy. I asked the pediatrician and she says he’s on track when I asked about his milestones. We have moments of connection where he’s smiley and cooing, but they are few and far between.
I’m a first time mom and everyone tells me I’m just a worried FTM or anxious. I do suffer from anxiety but this isn’t all in my head. I’ve googled myself silly and have explored everything from autism to cerebral palsy to brain damage...?
We had a fairly typical delivery - full term, pitocin, epidural.
Of all the “symptoms,” I think the biggest thing for me is the lack of connection with me. Everyone told me how sweet the bond would be with Mama and her boy so it breaks my heart that he doesn’t seem to care one way or the other. All the milestone calendars say that baby will love to see his parents and smile at them when they’re near.
I am just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. TIA!