6 week old check up - referred to paediatrician.

[maldivemoment]

Took our beautiful boy to GP today for his 6 week review. He is being referred to paediatrician because of a slight concern over the test the GP did on his neck. She held him on his side and I think his head is meant to be in line with his body, but his was a wee bit floppy.

I was in bits (mostly due to lack of sleep and being a first time mum!). Can someone please reassure me that this is nothing to be hugely concerned with? Or is it?

Thanks

Oh, I really feel for you.

With DS (my first), I was SUCH a complete newbie, I worried endlessly about everything!! (well, who am I kidding, I still do!!)

Poor old DD is so much more robust because, well, she just HAS to be!!

I'm no expert, but my two kids never had a 'neck' check (and they both had their 6 week checks with Paeds because they were born in the Portland). 6 week olds have floppy necks.

Just keep the Paed's appointment (when is it? You don't have a massive wait do you?) and see what's what.

Personally (And I appreciate I have no idea of your personal circumstance) if it was me, I'd take him to a Paed in the Portland. I end up taking my two back there because I rally don't get on with my GP (whole OTHER story!!)

Seriously, 99/100, this is NOTHING.

Just remember that you worry because you adore your little boy and what he needs more than anything else right now is your love.

HTH, HM x

This sounds like head lag - I think it is fairly common. A friend of mine had a ds with this and he was referred for further checks. It wasn't a problem long term however and is now a healthy, robust 18 month old!

I don't remember the neck check either (with nhs gp). Can he support his own head a bit while being held sitting up? If so, he's probably doing OK.

I'm not much help, but DS had neck/shoulder problems caused in utero which he needed treatment for (but it was no big deal - he had osteopathy for a few weeks and we had to do physio exercises with him). He's fine now, so perhaps your DS has nothing worse than that (or not even that).

Thank you all for your reassurance and kind words! Yes, he can support his head for a little while and is getting better at it - I'm focusing on the positive! Unfortunately can't go to the Portland as I'm in a very cold and wet Scotland!

Have told we may have a six week wait for appointment!

Thanks again everyone!

I had this too with my ds at his 8 week check. When he was lying on his back and the doc pulled him to sitting with his hands, his head just hung back. He said if it wasn't much better in a few weeks, he'd be referred on. Bit of a panic.

After seeing the doc I made sure I spent a while each day practicing pulling him up gently and spent lots of time with him in his sling thing where he had to hold his head up. By the time we went back the doc had no concerns.

My ds was definitely more floppy than any other babies I've ever held (in the sense that his limbs never felt securely attached - I would never, ever have felt I could pick him up safely by his arms) and there was definitely something different about his joint strength and bendiness. He's still bendy now 4 years later. But he's absolutely fine and perfectly sporty and strong (and a bit lanky).

I hope it's all fine for your ds's check up.