developement

[kaitlinmukasmummy]

i need as much feed back as possible please,i have a perfect and well developed 5 month old daughter and i am completely happy and sattisfied with her developement,however my mother has put doubt in my mind to say the least. she told me that my daughter should be laughing now as shes 5 months and because other babies similar ages to her are doing,so i told her that she does laugh she just hasent started giggling yet(i think other mums will understand what i mean here)and she will do it when she wants too simple as !! anyone else had the same problem with there mother/mother in law,anyone else concerned abouth there baby not giggling yet?? and too other mums/dads how old was your child/children when they started giggling?? thanx x

5 months seems quite young.My 7 month old has really only been giggling for the last 4 weeks.They all do things and different stages.It is hard not to compare but trust me they all get there.If you have any concerns just go and see your HV.All will be well x

Please listen to your own instincts and NOT your mum or mil!! I honestly can't remember when my DCs began to giggle, but I do remember frantically worrying that they weren't smiling (is it a smile or is it just wind??) and reading every development book I could lay my hands on!! Those developmental charts are just guidelines and babies all vary so much - some are much smilier and gigglier than others and if you are happy and your baby is happy then I am sure there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

The problem with having a new baby is everyone wants to give you advice (especially those who haven't had anything to do with babies for at least 20 years!!)

Tell your mother that her jokes are obviously not funny enough.

If that doesn't shut her up, next time she says your baby "should" be doing something, ask her what evidence she has for that, beyond old wives' tales.

My mother was a bit like yours when my dc were babies. Some grannies get a bit mixed up over who's the Mummy and who's the Grannie.

My first son didn't SMILE before he was 6 months old. My second son smiled about 12 hours after birth. They are so so different.

I live very far away from my mum, and I love her dearly, but I know that she would make the same type of comments as your mum. It would make my blood boil. I can imagine how you feel. Some babies will just smile, laugh, blow rasberries, point, babble at different stages. Just try to develop a 'defence mechanism' that suits you, you do need to be thick skinned when you are a new parent.

5 months seems quite young.My 7 month old has really only been giggling for the last 4 weeks.They all do things and different stages.It is hard not to compare but trust me they all get there.If you have any concerns just go and see your HV.All will be well x