6 month old seems less developed than other babies

[mollysmum82]

I would really appreciate some advice. My dd is 6 months next week and has only recently started reaching out for objects. She's not rolling completely over yet or sitting up unaided. All the other babies of her age in our group seem to be doing these things. I know I shouldn't compare but I just need reassurance she is okay. She was 3.5 weeks premature so should I be expecting her to be developmentally more like a 5 month old than 6? I'm a bit worried about starting her on solids if she's not developmentally ready - should I hold off a bit? I sound really negative and I don't mean to be, she is happy, healthy, always smiling and has even started laughing! I would just like to know that everything is normal. Thanks in advance.

they really really really are all different, esp at that age. re solids, that's why i liked blw with prem dd2, it took the decision out of my hands iyswim?

Try 'Birth to 5yrs' by Mary Sheridan to get a good idea of where your baby should be according to milestones - cheap and thin book
Sounds normal to me.

My dc1 & dc2 didn't sit unaided until 7months (both born at full term).

Please try not to worry about it - is she happy, healthy and interacting with you (watching you, smiling at you, responding to her surroundings)? If so, she's fine. All babies develop at different stages - when DS1 was little he had a little friend (born day after him) who didnt do anything really movement wise but was talking in full sentences at 12 months - he was a mover but not a speaker. Now at nearly 4 they're pretty much the same developmentally. If you're really worried, speak to your health visitor for reassurance.

Mine is the same! She's just turned 8 months and has only just started sitting without topping over sideways. She also rolled over twice about 3 weeks ago but hasn't done it again since

However she is bright alert and cheerful, looking around and smiling etc and so I'm not worrying (yet ).

They are all very very different. My DD1 was the first in her group to do everything, and it is nice, try to remember that when the other mums are being proud, that is what they are doing, being proud of their baby, there is no reflection intended on your baby IYSWIM.

I also think that looking at the milestones for a 5mo would be helpful - as she is 5 months sort of really isn't she? My DD1 was over 2 weeks late and I always put her precociousness down to that - she was older than her age IYSWIM.

Re the weaning, I weaned DD2 at 6mo, she couldn't sit unaided but could sit in her highchair, she is eating loads now. Has she got the other stuff - lost tongue thrust, pincer grip, etc (can't rememebr the others ).

My DD did not sit until she was over a year. She could stand before she could sit.

All babies develop at a different pace. Just relax and enjoy your lovely smiley baby girl.

I agree with the others, just enjoy her and try not to worry.

IMO, being prem makes a vast vast difference, at least it did with my third and he caught up eventually.

She sounds great, mollysmum82. Sounds like she's attempting everything and is getting there at her own pace. I love babies laughing. Bet she is a cutiepie. My full term 6.5 month old is pretty wobbly bottomed still. I kid myself on that she's sitting unsupported but she is only doing so for brief seconds really!

You may need to adjust her age if she was a bit early, but I think you probably should start her on solids quite soon, unless your health profs say otherwise. Some of the literature I've read suggests that waiting much past 6/7 months can make life more difficult in terms of babies wanting to eat non milk food and developing a variety of tastes. And at some point milk alone will not be enough for optimum nutrition. Some research even shows that later introduction of potentially allergenic foods like gluten may actually increase the risk of allergies, apparently. Babies are pretty good at "telling you" if they aren't ready/don't want to eat, ime. They'll just not bother picking up the food or turn their head away from the spoon or spit out the offending yuksome stuff. As long as you follow her cues everything should be hunky dory, I reckon.

My son is 8 months and just rolled from back to tummy about 2 weeks ago and is just now getting to the point where he can sit up without immediately falling over.

They all develop at their own pace. He is very verbal, constantly babbling. His cousin, who is three weeks younger, is already crawling and pulling himself up on the furniture, but he barely speaks.

So I wouldn't worry!

As everyone says, they are all different.

As great as it is having groups of friends with babies the same ages (e.g. NCT in my case) it really does lead to angst and in some cases competition.

My DD didnt roll until two weeks ago and she is 11months, but she sat perfectly at 5.5mths and had lots of teeth early and she chatters continually. Other babies in the group have no teeth, dont make any noices and have no fine motor skills but are running about.

Its really hard not compare all the time but try to ignore it. Your DD sounds perfect

PS- I need to listen to my own post because my group are having a joint 1st bday party in 3 wks. We've hired at great expense soft play and bouncy castle which wont be much fun for my DD. I will have to take toys for her to play with whilst the others run about.....

Aww thank you so much for your lovely messages! You have really reassured me! I promise I won't compare ever again (honest!) and I'll just enjoy my smiley baby! haha!

she sounds lovely Mollysmum - perfectly fine.

The other day, I read about the banana test for weaning readiness. Basically, put a half banana in front of a baby and if they grab it and try to eat it (with or without success!), then they are ready for solids (with restrictions on gluten and dairy until 6 months). If not, then you should hold off - although you would need to get advice from the HV or GP about iron levels if your DC is over 6 months.

Not sure where I read that, so if it is a load of rubbish, I hope someone will correct me!