anyone with slow developing babies?

[mel1981]

DS4 is 7 months and is not doing anything yet.
HV coming for a developement check mid Jan and he has been for sight test as he wouldnt focus on things for a long time- structually they are fine but referred for a further test to check the optical nerve is connnecting to his brain.
I know all babies develope at dfferent speeds and dont have to hit certain milestones.
But he literally does nothing compared to my other babies and friends babies. He doesnt sit by himself, roll over, only last week he held his 1st toy and put it in his mouth, he still at times has poor head control and throws his body back and hes not interested in weaning.
Anyone else had similar? which in time rectified itself or was a result of an underlying problem? Im not trying to make out/think theres a problem but I am happy to hear different senarios.
Thanks in advance.

Not really in your position, but DS didn't sit alone until 8.5m or roll over until 11.5m. He did have good fine motor skills though (could hold toys) and looked at things (usually screaming once he realised he couldn't get anywhere near them). He didn't like solids either until 11m. He is fine and happy now, although I worried at the time - the GP thought he was borderline for needing a referral, so we left it for a while.

FWIW it is probably worth having a check (as you are). I do know of another boy who did nothing (less than DS even) who was fine.

Does your DS react to sound/music/voices at all?

Hi
I know how worrying and frustrating this is - my dd was starved of oxygen at birth and has been late with most of her gross motor and fine motor milestones. Now she is 2 and is getting there with most things but in her own time!

I think when other babies are starting to sit, crawl and reach physical milestones was the hardest time for me. It doesn't mean there is a problem though if your ds is late in doing these things. However, my dd benefited from having physio which did help to move her development forward so if you are concerned, ask your HV or GP for a referral.

my ds didn't eat a thing til ten months, ( and this is perfectly normal a v.good HV told me) couldn't sit at all till 7.5 months then suddenly started everything and crawled at 8 months.

he could hold a toy though quite early.

i remember i was very stressed about milestones at this age. it could be one tiny problem that your baby has and you are interpreting many. this is what i did and it sent me mad so i feel for you

If you can get a refferal - portage would be good for you DS.

Ask you HV if she can refer you.

A portage visitor will come to your home for an hour a week to show you play activities that will help your son's development. You repeat these activities everyday for a few minutes at a time. You can concentrate on the things you are most concerned about e.g. reaching for toys, rolling over etc.

Lots of children who are delayed catch up with time and encouragement. Its not necessarily indicitive of an underlying problem.

But its always wise to get things checked out.

I work as an SLT and am sure that your seven month old is doing more than you think he is. It can be very easy to become focused at this stage on milestones that are not yet achieved instead of recognising the skills that your DS already has and building on these. The first year is also vital for the development of play and communication - encouraging this is lots of effort but will be well worth it in the long run. I have recently launched a website designed to provide targeted support for parents just like you, called www.speechquest.net - take a look if you want to and do tell me what you think - we're looking out for feedback (good or bad!). Otherwise there are lots of other excellent sites to get more general support around early communication such as Ican or Talking Point.

Hi - I've also got a slow developer. My DS is one year and only started taking an interest in toys and is sitting by himself at about 10-11 months. He is still not crawling and not really weight bearing either, he also hasn't rolled. Although, I'm convinced he could roll if he wanted to!!! He doesn't make ba ba ma ma sounds but shouts and yells with joy all the time. We went to our HV at 6 months because he seemed so inactive compared to friends children and she referred us to a developmental paed. He is now being seen at a developmental unit. We are waiting for a brain scan and eye tests to be done, but his blood test results are all clear.
He is a happy little chappy, great sleeper and eater. I am pleased with how he has come on in the past two months as he now has favourite toys and is reaching out for everything but the of course we are still worried about what lies ahead. It has taken us six months to get to this stage - its a long and stressful process.

Thanks for all your posts, they have been very helpful.
Hopefully I am looking too much into it but its been good to hear other peoples experiences too.
sulou I will take a look at that website and let you know what I think.
1980sport I hate that it takes so long to get answers, im so impatient! Sounds a bit daft, but form very early on I knew my sons sight wasnt right- he was crossed eyed alot, took a long time to smile, wouldnt focus/look at anything. I mentioned it at 8 week check and I had to keep mentioning it over and over. HV and DRs all agreed DS4s sight didnt seem right as he got older he didnt have a blink reflex, react to light in his eyes. I finally got an appointment for early Dec! He was 6 months then. I appreciate that at his age its hard to tell developement stages but it seemed to take forever. Now have to wait til feb for follow up tests. He seems to have improved a great deal though so fingers crossed alls well there.
My DS4 is very happy and smiles all the time too, which is so comforting when im worrying all the time