1 year old not moving, anyone else?

[Cosmo676]

Hi,
My son turned 1 just over 2 weeks ago, he was born 5 weeks prem and has generally been catching up well but he is just not moving.

He has been able to sit from 6m but he has stopped rolling, has never crawled and isn’t interested in trying to move. He will take steps forward with support and can push himself backwards and to turn round when he is on his tummy but this isn’t often. I am trying daily to help and encourage him to move but it’s getting to the point now where he is being left behind at soft play and baby groups because all the other 1 year olds are on the move and he can’t join in. I feel so sad for him and worried that something is wrong. I had pre-eclampsia and a c-section, he weighed less than 4lb when he was born. Could something be wrong? Or is it me? surely he should be moving by now?

Sorry for the long post, every other baby I know is moving now and I just feel we’re really alone.

Surely your health visitor had something to say at the 12 month check up?
For what it's worth, my friend had a child who was totally in the black for gross motor skills at 12 months, he learned to crawl at 17 months and to walk at 18 and is now totally on track for physical development at 2.5 years and is very advanced with speech. The chances are your little one is fine and will catch up but I'm surprised your health visitor hasn't said anything to make feel better or to make recommendations as to whether to take any action.

Surely your health visitor had something to say at the 12 month check up?

Has the HV done the 12 month check yet @Cosmo676 and did they use the 12 month Ages & Stages?

Hi, thanks for your reply.

She did but he was rolling at the time, and she said that when she plotted him on the 10 month chart - this is where he would be age adjusted - that he was doing ok. She also said though that he’d probably be catching up over the next few weeks but he isn’t.

I wasn’t really concerned as he is a happy little boy doing well in other areas and I just thought he would move in his own time, but when I saw the difference between him and the other babies (NCT mums) yesterday at a soft play, it had started to worry me. I don’t know many other babies though so wondering if maybe I’m over worrying and he will catch up or whether I need to push the HV…

Ok so if the HV was adjusting his age, I would fill in the 12 month Ages & Stages again as he's now 12 months and 2 weeks and the 12 month Ages & Stages starts at 11 months.

I'd also do the 12 month Social & Emotional Ages & Stages and ask the HV to assess him again. If she wants to "wait and see" ask her to book another appointment in a couple of months time.

I would trust your gut feeling on this and Lee pushing your HV

We are in a similar situation. It's so hard not to compare with other babies isn't it? My daughter was 6 weeks premature and weighed 2lb 15oz and she is now 13 months actual and doesn't crawl yet but can walk with support. We were given a physiotherapy check-up when she was around 9 months and he had no concerns. Could you ask your GP for a physio referral?

It is so hard isn’t it? And our little prem babies are on their own journeys too. I haven’t been worried about him before so it’s a strange feeling. I always just supported him and waited for him to do things in his own time which he always has so far. The advice here has been helpful, I will re-complete the questionnaire and ask for a physio referral and another visit with the HV. Thanks so much for your replies. It’s reassuring to hear other babies have been in similar situations and are now doing well too

How's your baby doing now? My gd is 12 months and similarly not interested in moving but very advanced fine motor skills.

Not the OP but I commented on the thread. My 6 week premature daughter started walking independently at 17 months after bum shuffling for a few months (never crawled). Fine motor skills and speech are exceptional if I do say so myself haha.

@bathbooknap babies do seem to prioritise one or the other. Dd2 was a very early crawler/walker but didn't really talk until she was about 3 whereas dd1 was quite a late walker but was really good at communicating and doing puzzles from a very young age. Gd was not premature, she was a week late.

@Manthidebeing a week late shouldn’t really affect her progress. How did she do at her 12 month check?

She aced everything but just about 'passed' the gross motor skills with 21. 60 for fine motor skills. I think she was very slightly over 11 months when she did it.

Hi! Sorry for the very late reply but just wanted to finally update. My son is 20 months now. He isn’t walking independently yet but with one finger, he has taken quite a few steps on his own but I think he likes being able to walk further whilst holding my hand. We have a physio referral and are awaiting an appointment but I’m actually less concerned now as he is making progress. He went from not much at all to bum shuffling with speed, pulling to stand came later quickly followed by cruising and steps so hopefully not long now. Like another poster here, his speech is excellent so perhaps he was working on this first, or as a prem baby maybe it’s taken longer for him to build his strength. Tumble Tots helped I think and lots of standing activities and using an exercise ball and climbing to build his core and leg strength. Hope that helps and you and your LO are doing well

@Cosmo676 that's great! Gd has just turned 15 months and has started bum shuffling and is definitely gaining momentum. She still prefers to hold at least one hand whilst walking and isn't pulling herself up yet. She holds a pencil very well and loves 'drawing' and she has a very good vocabulary for her age. I think going to nursery a couple of days a week has helped.

Thank you! That’s fantastic for your gd too, sounds like she is doing really well. My little boy loves ‘drawing’ too, and has taken a wonderful interest in cleaning his toy kitchen and the laundry. Long may it continue 🤣