8 month old - developmental issues?

[Yeuxbleu]

I have 4 developmental concerns about my 8 Month baby .

1. She is still very much into mouthing, she doesn't play with toys or seem interested in anything if she can't put it in her mouth, even when I'm reading to her she will not listen to the story, she just wants to grab the book I have and put it in her mouth. To the point where reading is not enjoyable at all because if I have the book in my hands she is super annoyed at me.

1. She isn't crawling, I get so many comments about this from other mums and even from a health visitor....like they are surprised to learn she's not crawling yet. I wouldn't think twice about it if it wasn't for the questions from others but wondering if this is concerning? She sits up really well and has good neck and upper body control when on tummy, she sometimes gets into the hands and knees position and rocks. She's never been into rolling much.

1. Sometimes her arm movements are really erratic like she's lost control over her arms, she thrashes them about and ends up throwing toys or food she has in her hands about. I can't understand it because with food and toys her motor skills can be quite good in picking up small objects.

1. She doesn't copy me or other people, she literally never has, like sounds that I know she can do, "bababa" etc, I say them and she doesn't copy me. Sticking tongue out and clapping etc (she brings her hands together), she can do it but she won't copy someone.

I have the 8m check up with my HV soon and I will obviously discuss these things but looking to see if I am right to be concerned or these things sound normal.

I never wanted to be one of those mums who compares their baby with others or feels pressure to have the baby reaching certain milestones etc but these things are now weighing on me and I'm worried I'm not doing enough to help her development :(

1. Sounds completely normal. She’s exploring things and possibly teething.
2. Don’t worry about not crawling just yet - does she show interest in trying to reach for things? You’ve said she gets into hands and knees position, so just keep encouraging her to do this. My son never crawled and I wish I hadn’t spent so much time worrying about it instead of just enjoying what he could do.
3. I think most babies have erratic arm movements at times! 8 months isn’t very old at all, so probably still learning to fully control them / exploring what happens when she clings her arms around.
4. Again, 8 months is really young. If she can’t yet copy load of stuff that doesn’t mean that she won’t get the hang of it. Some babies aren’t that bothered about communication etc and my be more focused on other developments.

I honestly don’t think there’s anything to worry about. See what your HV says when you see them. But remember that all babies develop differently and at different speeds. And milestone ages are just averages, so there have to be babies who meet those milestones ‘early’ and others ‘late’ to get the average. All are normal :)