8 1/2 month old - not sitting up

[OatcakeCravings]

Hi there,

Is this just a case of all babies develop at different rates?

My DS is 8 1/2 months old and still can't sit up unaided - well he can but only for 2 seconds before sliding down onto his side. I don't have a huge amount of experience with other babies but it does seem rather late to me given that my bf's son was walking at this age.

If you are concerned I'd speak to your GP or HV - from what I remember there is usually a development review around 8 months? Have you got the little red medical book - that has some developmental info in it. Also, don't worry about what others can do - there is a lot of variation and your friend's child walking at 8 months is v.early.

This is fine. Neither of mine were sitting at that age. DS sat at about 9m and DD at 10m. Your DS sounds like he is learning to sit and if you have him assessed, that's what they look for.

Walking at that age is extremely early and unusual. The first baby to learn to walk in my antenatal class (of 8) walked a few days before his first birthday.

Dont worry Oatcake. My DD is a year old this week and has only just started sitting up ( and I have to sit behind her still incase she falls back). She also doesnt crawl, just rolls to where she wants to go! I dont think she has any problems apart from sheer laziness!

I look after an 11mo who can only sit for about 5 seconds before toppling, but can pull himself to stand, cruise. They all develop at different times, don't worry

I'D speak to your HV, but it is reassuring that he is starting to sit up ( 8 months is VERY early walking). I know that all babies develop at different rates, but it never stopped me worrying!!
I see a lot of little ones (apart from my 3!), as I run a Toddler group and volunteer at a Nursery, and I recall a couple of very late 'sitters',(1 year or more), who turned out to have Gross Motor Delay which sounds FAR worse than it was! They both had advice give, plus some Physio and they are both at school now, and 'normal', whatever that is!

Folks,

Thanks very much - its put my mind at ease. I wasn't really all that worried until my bf mentioned she thought my DS was 'backward'!! Bloomin' cheek really!

Thanks again

Cheeky cow Oatcake!

My MIL told my DP that we were 'burying our heads in the sand' in relation to our DD.
Tbh I dont think its anyone elses business to comment on other peoples DC's like that. They're all different and develop at different rates.

Is he crawling yet by any chance? My ds didn't learn to sit until about 10 months but was crawling at 6/7. His ped thought that since he'd learnt to get about first, he had no interest in learning to sit still.
He still doesn't sit normally at 15 months - instead of on his bum he'll be on his knees bumping up and down, constantly on the go.

Hiya,

No he isn't crawling. He rolls around and zips along in a baby walker. I give him loads of tummy time and lifts his head/neck/back but no sign of crawling yet.