Worried about 6m old development

[WorriedMama2025]

I don’t know if I am over thinking here, or if it’s because my LO is sooooo different to my first. I just can’t shake this feeling that something is up.
6m old, and these are my concerns (am unsure if they are even developmental appropriate for 6m of age so Please be kind)

-so serious.. hardly smiles and never laughs (does chuckle if you tickle)
-not great with eye contact, seems to want to look anywhere else but your face or anyone else’s face for that matter (even when you’re talking) has been like this since birth
-not great with pushing chest off floor on tummy time, still seems weak
-cannot sit unsupported, can sit supported but pushes back so he is back on his back so doesn’t seem interested in wanting to sit
-doesn’t “babble” only squeals or grunts
-doesn’t recognise name yet, even if youre talking, doesn’t turn to look at you (but can hear as when dog barks or something he jumps)
-doesn’t try to imitate (if you stick your tongue out,
or blow raspberries etc)
-isn’t the slightest bit interested in food
-constantly kicking one leg (mostly at night assume to self soothe) but also does it during the day

am I overthinking? Am I expecting too much from my baby? Or are these concerns legitimate? Anyone else have similar concerns with their LO’s when they were babies and how did they turn out?
its eating me up daily.

I forgot to add, Alot of people may have not heard of this, but LO rolls “en bloc” and not in the typical “corkscrew” way…. Apparently only autistic / neurodivergent babies roll en bloc, NT babies roll
corkscrew…

This sounds so similar to my LO, but sorry no advice as they are the same age - I’m so worried as they are nothing like my first either!!

I’d never heard of the rolling “en bloc” before but that’s interesting.

I think I would start with this simple progress checker from Speech & Language UK. If it says he needs some support they will send you some resources but also come back, and we can advise on the next steps

Six month is not required to babble. Does he blow rasberries?
its more actually squealing at six months according to CDC.
also responding to name is quite early. Mine is almost 7m (6.5 adjusted) and doesn’t still respond to name that well. Specially if he is busy with a toy or something it’s almost never. I also have worries about this of course but I know for sure 6m is quite early it’s a 9m milestone.

@Yas1362 / nope, doesn’t blow raspberries:(
have recently been trying to introduce foods too but not interested in the slightest :(

mine also rejected food in the beginning but now he likes it. I think it’s normal. Also what I have understood is when he is tired or not very hungry he will reject the food.

how are you getting on? My LO is not interested in food at all but will put everything else in their mouth, it’s so stressful

@Momlife2025 wow, it’s so worrying isn’t it.
I honestly worry every second of the day. I feel like there are new things that pop up too to add on the ever growing list

I could have written this exact post about my LO. I am trying to enjoy him whilst he is still little but I also worry so much about what his future will be like. It is also so hard not to compare him to other babies his age.

@YourKoala how old is your LO? What are your concerns? Have the same worries about mine, it’s so so hard

@Momlife2025 my LO will be 7 months next week. He does not smile or laugh much, seems to be more interested in looking around the room then at people, not very good at eye contact and doesnt respond to our voices. He is not babbling yet either. I am not worried about his gross motor skills, just social and communication. He is also always moving.. I can never hold him facing in as he will always try to wriggle out.

@YourKoala sounds so similar to mine. Although mine isn’t even mobile (still only sitting but supported).

just an update now we are nearly 2m since making this post…..

-still fleeting eye contact but does seem a tad better (although does love sister and watches her)
-still not great with food, doesn’t eat anything, occasionally will suck on a piece of toast. When given purées still just pushes it out of mouth. So practically zero food intake still
-still no babbling at all (just screeching / growling / grunting)
-still not sitting unsupported
-still not imitating / nor clapping waving pointing
-still doesn’t respond to name
-no signs of crawling
-does laugh abit more
-no separation anxiety yet

think that’s mostly it…
will keep you updated in the next couple of months to let you know if there’s any progress

Is the HV monitoring him yet @WorriedMama2025and have any referrals been made?

@BunnyRuddington - HV referred him to physio for the sitting (saw them and they just said keep practicing). The eye contact they referred for an eye test, again had that and eyes were all ok

Glad that she’s at least made 2 referrals. Is she due to see you again soon?

Isn’t it early for an eight month to clap wave or point? Or should I add on to my worries? Haha
These are not in CDC milestones for eight month as far as I know.
was your baby also serious with familiar people or just to strangers? If he is serious to strangers then it’s stranger danger I guess. My son used to smile to people but got very serious to strangers since he turned 6 months.

@Yas1362 - I don’t even know anymore, I see so much conflicting advice.
my baby has not progressed AT ALL… no babbling, fleeting eye contact, still not interested in food, no crawling, does sit unsupported for all of 5-10 seconds. Doesn’t reach out to be picked up, no waving pointing etc, constantly staring at hands opening and closing them, holds toys right up to face to inspect them… the list is endless. Haven’t heard anything from HV. Going to contact them and demand some advice / intervention

If you’re thinking of going back to the HV, which seems like a good idea, I would fill in both of these to take with you:

9 month Ages & Stages

and the 12 month social and emotional Ages & Stages.

With the first one, it’s fairly normal for an LO to score in the grey in two areas, if they score in the grey in two areas or in the black for any area then I would see the GP and ask for a referral to a Paediatrician.

With the second, a score over 50 will need a referral.

@BunnyRuddington
wow, I know baby is 8.5m so has a while to go yet til the 9m 30d cut off, but on communication scores 0!!!!! Don’t even want to look at the other areas :(

I can understand that but if your baby does have some delay, it’s much better to try to get them some assistance sooner rather than later. Have you got someone who can sit with you whilst you fill in the assessments so you’re not alone?

If he is scoring 0 in communication, the very least he’ll need is a referral for a hearing test to rule out Glue Ear.