Is this normal development at 8 months?

[RedPandaFluff]

I'm not panicking yet, but 8-month-old DD seems to be quite behind developmentally where her older sister was at this age, and whilst I know every baby is different (and sheesh my two are so different!) I thought I'd ask for experiences/opinions.

Things I've noticed:

1. DD has only just started being able to roll onto her tummy and back again, although even now it's still hit and miss. She's still very far from starting to crawl and hates being on her tummy.

2. She doesn't seem to swallow anything yet. I'm BF and at six months started giving her bits and pieces of solid food, and purées, and she just spits out purées and breaks bits of solid food off and spits them out again, I don't think she actually swallows anything.

3. She seems to have lost over 200g in weight in the last two weeks.

4. She can't sit up independently - just falls over (we catch her, obviously!)

Other than a recent cold, she seems happy and healthy.

Should I contact the health visitor or give it another month or two? Thank you!

The one that stands out most is that she's lost weight. Was she weighed in the same scales and has anything happened that might make her lose weight?

If she's lost weight without any serious health issues I'd go to the GP, get them to weigh her and very importantly, record her weight in your Red Book. A Paediatrician will need to see the weight the GP recorded if you get referred.

When you say she's not actually swallowing anything, gave her nappies changed? My DD ate like a bird sometimes but you could tell by her "output" that she had actually swallowed some of the food.

Hi @CadyEastman - thank you for replying. Yes, weighed on same scales, and other than being ill for a few days with a cold and an eye infection, I'm not aware of anything that could cause weight loss. I guess a possibility is that my milk supply is failing - I've always had hormone problems and don't really trust my body to do what it's supposed to do - but surely I'd know if she were hungry; she'd be upset and wanting to keep feeding?

In my head I'm thinking I'll give it a week, weigh her again, and then dependent on how she is then, make an appointment - would you agree?

Oh and no, her nappies haven't changed; I would say she's windier than normal though.

It would be really rare for your supply to be failing now, almost unheard of kind of rare. What makes you think it's failing and have you sought any RL support?

The BFing Helplines should be able to talk you through your concerns regarding your supply and your local support groups should be here

My hormones have always been haywire - started perimenopause in my early twenties, premature ovarian failure; my two children are donor egg babies. So I don't trust my body to do what it's supposed to at all - it wouldn't surprise me if hormones went screwy and dried up my milk production. But you're right, that's pure speculation and I've submitted a request through our online GP system this morning to check DD's weight, development etc. I'll also speak to Cherubs and get their view. Thank you!

i have a 5 month old daughter who constantly cries when not on me. It started with me just leaving the room and her crying to now even being in the room with her laying/sitting up next to me and still crying. Soon as I pick her up she’s fine. But I also have another child and a home to look after. I feel like I can’t get anything done and being at home feels draining. Is there a way I can help her be more content? She used to be so content and now it’s constant screaming when she’s not on me.

thank you:)

Sounds like you have what's called a "velcro baby", @Sophiealayiah! Mine was very much the same up until around six months or so, I think it will improve (until the stranger-anxiety stage starts, anyway).

It's not ideal but can you wear her in a sling so that you can move around a bit? Also, if you start a thread, I'm sure you'll get some good advice - I don't think many people will see your question tucked away in here!

Hello thank you for replying, I’m actually new to the mums net I will do the thread like you said thank you.

also I gathered that was the case, I didn’t know if I should allow her to cry while I’m quickly busy and pick her up once I’m done or just carry her around with Me. I wasn’t sure if that would make it worse, but it’s deffo worth a try as it’s slowly starting to really get to me. so thank you very much for your advice

I would have her checked over OP. She might either be at the late end of normal or have a mild delay of some sorts, but it’s always better to be on the ball. The individual points you’ve written wouldn’t be concerning if each was a one off, but all together can make a broader picture of perhaps a lower muscle tone or similar. I would make an appointment with the HV or perhaps the GP.

My supply tapered off between 7 and 10 months. When I stopped breastfeeding at 11 months I didn’t even get engorged, and I went from 3 feeds a day to cold turkey. I had oversupply until about 6 months initially as well, so I know they can make the milk.