10 month old - very little movement

[fr4zzledmum]

My son is 10 months old tomorrow, and I'm concerned that he just isn't moving around as he should be. We had a review with the HV at 8 months and will be having another at 11 months.

He can sit very well unaided now (has been the case for a few months), but needs to be put into the seated position (he can't get himself up to that position/doesn't try). He can roll from back to front but tbh, doesn't do it very often or has bursts or doing it loads. We've seen a few front to back rolls. He has only just recently tolerated being on his tummy more than a minute at a time, but doesn't really do much when there - can push himself up on his arms, reach for things that are close but often just spends the time lying down with his head on the floor.

He does no version of army crawling or bum shuffling. Whether on his tummy or back, he generally stays in the same place (lots of kicking and arm waving, so can move but doesn't get him anywhere).

He doesn't pull himself up on anything. He can bear his weight on his legs if someone holds his hand for balance. As he doesn't pull himself up on things, he doesn't have any time on his knees.

I'm not wishing the time of chasing after him closer but also it's stressing me out. My daughter at this age was crawling and walking with a walker. All everyone ever says is that boys are lazier and it's getting on my nerves.

Should I be concerned?

Hi @fr4zzledmumwhet promoted the HV assessing your LO at 8 months?

My request really. Technically he was almost 9 months but she assessed him as an 8 month old. He was meeting all his targets (and exceeding some) but for movement was scoring as a 6 month old.

Has she done any referrals like maybe to Physio?

She said she wasn't really concerned at the last review and wanted to see him at 1yr old. I asked for 11 months instead (so a month from today) and she has said if there's no improvement, she will refer him to the pediatrician then.

If they are 10 months today, do you think it’s worth doing the 10 months Ages & Stages over the weekend?

Out of interest, where is your boy on the percentiles for weight, length and head circumference @fr4zzledmum? Heavier babies and/or those with larger heads can be delayed with their gross motor skills.

That’s a goid point @Chocco25

He's not been weighed since 8 months but he was on the 95th centile then. He was bigger when born - 9lb 1.5oz. His head and length are in proportion.

Ok so it sounds as though the HV could do with measuring his weight, length and head circumference and recording them in his Red Book. If you do get to see a Paediatrician then these will be a useful benchmark for them anyway.

Have you seen the HV again and has she made any referrals? I think if he asking for Portage, Physio and a Paediatrician

We have our next appt scheduled for mid-July when he will be 11.5 months. HV didn't want to see me any earlier and actually was going to wait until 12months + but I asked for earlier. I don't mind this wait as it gives him that little bit longer to show if he can do it himself but do want him to be referred if he's made no progress.

My daughter was like this. Basically a potato until she started walking at 13 months. Just not interested in crawling or rolling whatsoever - now she's almost 4 and you wouldn't know, she's runs, skips, dances, jumps etc. I worried too but it can be normal. I think you're doing the right thing seeking help (I did too) but just wanted to share that it can be normal.

This happened to me as well, couldn’t get into sitting unaided until 12-13 months, couldn’t pull up to stand until around 14. He did eventually commando crawl at around 1 and then went straight to walking. Didn’t cruise around either. We just had to stand him up every time as he couldn’t get to standing! He got there eventually and became a confident walker within a matter of weeks. He was quite a big boy too so I think that probably slowed him down

That sounds very sensible @fr4zzledmum

Sorry for the late report back - saw HV a week before he turned one and had him weighed- he's 98 centile, so a big boy. He's 12.5 months now.

He has been twisting a bit when sitting as if he's about to go on all floors but not much else. Still no pulling to stand or getting into sitting position and I think he rolls less nowadays. Nursery have begun mentioning he doesn't move much.

HV said she wasn't concerned but would review again when he's 13.5 months. I'm going to see if she can see us earlier in the week he turns 13 months. I'm just worried that we wait until he's 18 months when it's classed as an actual delay and then there's a daft waiting list.

Definitely ask for Portage and Physio. In some areas you can self refer.

Did the HV do the regular Ages and Stages and also the Social & Emotional Ages & Stages?

Hi! I wanted to check in here and see how your son is doing, I’m in a similar boat.

We saw the HV last week when he was around 13.5months old. She's assessing him still at 2-3 months behind in gross motor skills. She's still not massively concerned but always under the banner of 'nothing is a delay until post 18 months'. She has though, in fairness, put a request for a referral to the community paediatrician to double check everything okay- although she's said the request will likely be denied and told to just monitor which is helpful...

I honestly wouldn’t say a 2-3 month ‘delay,’ at 13.5 months, for an infant on the 98th percentile, is much to be concerned about. It’s very common for heavier/longer babies to be a bit slower to get going from a gross motor perspective.

What gross motor movement have you noticed in recent weeks @fr4zzledmum? Is there progress from six weeks ago?

It’s good that he’s being monitored of course but I really wouldn’t worry too much 😊

Hasn’t she referred tou to Portage and Physio? I would get in touch with her tomorrow and insist at least on a referral to Portage. He sounds exactly like the kind of little chap ots designed for