8 month old doesn't bear weight on legs

[Enid]

I'm usually very blase about development, but lots of people have commented on dd2's inability to bear any weight on her legs. She just buckles and holds her legs up like a little frog. She even sleeps with them held up like that (she sleeps on her back IYSWIM). She sits very well and bends and reaches for toys, but doesnt roll over fully. She hates going on her tummy too if that means anything. Anyway, should I be concerned? Or is there anything I could do to encourage her? She is 8 months and 1 week old.

My youngest DS was just like this. My eldest was walking by 12 months but youngest only walked at about 15 months (can't quite remember!). He never put weight on his legs until he decided to walk and is still quite funny about his legs and feet - doesn't like them being touched and still often holds them up if I try to stand him up. I wouldn't worry just yet but jut keep an eye on it. I decided my DS was a bit lazy too! Hope that helps a bit.

My ds hated being on his tummy, never rolled over and didn't weight bear at that age. He's now 21 months and wants to walk everywhere. I just think he's like his mother, not sporty and a bit lazy. I like it! He walked properly at about 16months, I think (funny how you can't remember anything!) but cruised for ages before this and took steps every now and again. He still doesn't run anywhere, unlike my friends' children, but I think that's just his nature. I never bothered encouraging him. I think that provided they don't have a disability, they do things when they are ready.

Inability or disinclination? She sounds fine if a bit of a slacker babe, and ds was just the same although his big thing was not being bothered to sit up if he could lie down and roll. He also is not one of life's runners-about and also did not walk until he was 16 months.
Have you tried her in a baby bouncer, Enid? She might enjoy the motion. Hopefully friends have one you can borrow as not all babies take to them. I stopped worrying about ds' sloth-like tendencies having seen him pinging up and down in his Tippitoes when it suited him...

Sorry I can't remember when Ds would bare weight on his legs, but I do know out of 'our group' of about 8-10 children the same age, he was the last. I took a 'I'm not bothered' attitude on the outside, but inside it did worry me. He hated his baby bouncer and would just hang there, so I bought him a cheap second hand baby walker at about 9-10 months and he loved it, after a couple of weeks he was whizzing round like a pro. He then went on to be the first in the group to walk. Now a year down the line, his talking is very slow and he says alot of the
same words for different things - Do you mean Biscuit, breadstick, banana .........? aaaarrrgghh. Whilst others are chattering away with whole sentences.

I know its hard not to worry and I find motherhood very competitive. Why isn't he doing this yet? Oh, mine was doing that ages ago.

I'm sure your DD2 is fine and is just going at her own pace, she will do it eventually, then you'll be sorry, as you'll be the one running after shouting 'NO!'

My youngest ds was exactly the same, identical to how you describe. I don't want to alarm you with the next bit, its to reassure, honestly!
I was totally unconcerned & was of the same impression as what my fellow mumsnetters have said, he just didn't want to. Then he had his 8 month check & because he didn't bear the weight as described they failed him & he had to go back a month later when he was 9.5 months...he still didn't do it so they failed him again & he is on the waiting list for a full developement check.

I became very concerned & almost started 'finding' other things wrong with him. He is now a year old and I'm pleased to say & he is rolling over onto his tummy, crawling like a supersonic baby, pulling him self up & bearing weight on his legs wonderfully. He even walks quite well with a push along walker.

So he just wanted to do it all at his OWN PACE, so if any health officals raise concerns because your dd not bearing her weight at her next check, don't fret. I didn't want you to go through the same panic i did.

Thanks so much for your messages. I think she is 'lazy' although she is very developed socially, loves people, will spend a long time really examining things, will sit for ages quietly just watching everyone doing their thing, is very quick at picking up how toys work and yesterday she started waving hello and goodbye. So maybe she's just slow with the old gross motor skills...thanks dixie for your post - it was reassuring. I will see what she's like by 10 months, and if there's still nothing, maybe mention it to the hv. I 'tested' her today (poor thing!) and she can bear weight for a millisecond but clearly hates it and gets no pleasure from it.

I always think of dp's childhood friend who didn't walk until he was 2. He's now one of the top ballet dancers and choreographers in New York! So there you go, that proves something, I suppose.

my dd is 11 months and only just rolling over on to her tummy in about the last month and more readily in the last few weeks. She also has jsut started to bear weight on her legs - with a little support. She just did it at her own pace. SHe just decided to start doing it when we were bouncing her in our laps and with the rolling over - one day just did it despite me having exercises from the physio to do - she would physically resist any attempts to get her to roll over.

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Enid - please don't test her: my 14 month old has only started to weight bear in the last fortnight, and then only reluctantly. My GP/HV have said that it is not unusual at all, even though 'most' babies do it earlier, and that many many babies wait until 12 months or older. If she is progressing in her movements - whether its reaching out, sitting up etc etc or whatever then there is no need to worry - honestly! Mine became a very efficient bottom shuffler 2 weeks ago as well: until then she hadn't moved a millimetre and I got many of the same sort of comments. Just ignore 'em!