Worried about 5 month old eye contact

MargaretThursday · 20/11/2023 17:47

Ds loved eye contact at that age. He'd make eye contact, hold it and babble away like he was having a conversation. He also giggled with a huge belly laugh.
Dd2 was far too interested in the world to bother with eye contact for long with anything. he eyes were dashing about trying to make sure she'd plotted as much mischief as she could before she moved. I'm not sure she laughed much before she was a year old.

Ds has ASD, dd2 doesn't.
It can be as much personality, so don't try to read too much into it.

Superscientist · 20/11/2023 19:02

My daughter was full term and did none of things you list your son as doing at 18 weeks.
She was developmentally delayed due to under treatment reflux and undiagnosed allergies. By 20 weeks and adequate treatment of her reflux and the starting to explore her allergies she met all the required milestones. When they are so little and using skills that require so much energy the list of things that can cause them to not hit a milestone on the day they should is so exhaustive!

We were under enhanced care from the HV due to mine and my daughters health so we had lots of assessments. It was a double edge sword when she was doing well it was reassuring but it is was also anxiety provoking when she was hiting fewer and fewer points. If you are worried do get in touch with the HV and get another set of eyes. Also focus on the wonderful things they are doing. Oh all the things my daughter has done the one that has brought me most joy was catching her staring at the blue light on our wireless router. For about 4 weeks this was her only positive interaction with the world around her.

Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 20:04

MargaretThursday · 20/11/2023 17:47

Ds loved eye contact at that age. He'd make eye contact, hold it and babble away like he was having a conversation. He also giggled with a huge belly laugh.
Dd2 was far too interested in the world to bother with eye contact for long with anything. he eyes were dashing about trying to make sure she'd plotted as much mischief as she could before she moved. I'm not sure she laughed much before she was a year old.

Ds has ASD, dd2 doesn't.
It can be as much personality, so don't try to read too much into it.

Thank you for replying, that's exactly like my little boy he is so interested in everything around him it's like he gets distracted really quickly by something else going on! I hope both your little ones are thriving 😊

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Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 20:08

Superscientist · 20/11/2023 19:02

My daughter was full term and did none of things you list your son as doing at 18 weeks.
She was developmentally delayed due to under treatment reflux and undiagnosed allergies. By 20 weeks and adequate treatment of her reflux and the starting to explore her allergies she met all the required milestones. When they are so little and using skills that require so much energy the list of things that can cause them to not hit a milestone on the day they should is so exhaustive!

We were under enhanced care from the HV due to mine and my daughters health so we had lots of assessments. It was a double edge sword when she was doing well it was reassuring but it is was also anxiety provoking when she was hiting fewer and fewer points. If you are worried do get in touch with the HV and get another set of eyes. Also focus on the wonderful things they are doing. Oh all the things my daughter has done the one that has brought me most joy was catching her staring at the blue light on our wireless router. For about 4 weeks this was her only positive interaction with the world around her.

That's so interesting! The GP thinks my son has a cows milk protein allergy and silent reflux but these are yet to be resolved! I really appreciate you replying! I will contact HV just for a second look as you suggest. He is excelling in so many areas that I don't want to ruin this time with him worrying about what could be when I know I don't have any control over it. Thank you again I hope your little girl is doing well 😊

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MargaretThursday · 20/11/2023 20:10

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 20:04

Thank you for replying, that's exactly like my little boy he is so interested in everything around him it's like he gets distracted really quickly by something else going on! I hope both your little ones are thriving 😊

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They're 20 and 16yo now so not really little ones now. 😀

Superscientist · 20/11/2023 20:18

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 20:08

That's so interesting! The GP thinks my son has a cows milk protein allergy and silent reflux but these are yet to be resolved! I really appreciate you replying! I will contact HV just for a second look as you suggest. He is excelling in so many areas that I don't want to ruin this time with him worrying about what could be when I know I don't have any control over it. Thank you again I hope your little girl is doing well 😊

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I think if we hadn't had the HV do the two assessments so close together with a paeds appointment the day after the HV assessment I don't think the connection would have been made. We had a referral made for a hearing test at 18 weeks due to her not responding to any sounds.

She did really well developmentally until 18 months and had regression of speech. We had more support from the HV then too. I know that have a bad rep and a lot of my friends had struggled with their HV but I have nothing but praise for my experience across two areas as we moved when she was 2.

I'm always happy to talk allergies and reflux if you ever have questions feel free to send me a message. My daughter is 3 now and has stubborn reflux and is still symptomatic despite high dose medication but my daughter is an oddity most children have outgrown it by 3 and are awaiting an appointment with a specialist paediatrician. She has 20 food allergies the majority of which she reacted to through breastfeeding but she was also formula fed from 10-24 months so we have covered most aspects of allergy life!

Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 20:46

Superscientist · 20/11/2023 20:18

I think if we hadn't had the HV do the two assessments so close together with a paeds appointment the day after the HV assessment I don't think the connection would have been made. We had a referral made for a hearing test at 18 weeks due to her not responding to any sounds.

She did really well developmentally until 18 months and had regression of speech. We had more support from the HV then too. I know that have a bad rep and a lot of my friends had struggled with their HV but I have nothing but praise for my experience across two areas as we moved when she was 2.

I'm always happy to talk allergies and reflux if you ever have questions feel free to send me a message. My daughter is 3 now and has stubborn reflux and is still symptomatic despite high dose medication but my daughter is an oddity most children have outgrown it by 3 and are awaiting an appointment with a specialist paediatrician. She has 20 food allergies the majority of which she reacted to through breastfeeding but she was also formula fed from 10-24 months so we have covered most aspects of allergy life!

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Yes I have conflicting feelings depending what health visitor I see! My son has jumped from 50th percentile to 94th and I get conflicting information depending who I see when he is being Weighed and measured which is why they've not been worried if he has an allergy or reflux but I dont want to see him struggle.
This is very interesting!
I am breastfeeding aswell and have tried to cut out so many different things to work out how to help him but so far I haven't found the right thing.
Thank you I will speak to my HV and GP and message you! You've been through alot I hope you get your appointment soon for her.

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Chzm · 05/06/2024 01:49

Strawberrybuba · 20/11/2023 17:41

My baby boy was born a bit early and adjusted his only 4 months old. His been hitting all his milestones so far and just started rolling but I am concerned about his eye contact, he does make eye contact but its fleeting his doesn't hold a gaze for long periods and compared to other babies we are around of his age I feel like there's a big difference. He will look at you and smile and very aware especially when I come in and out the room. He isn't laughing or giggling as yet but babbles alot!
He used to love his reflection in the mirror but now is very disinterested.
All my family are telling me I'm paranoid which I really want to be! I know autism is one of the biggest signs of lack of eye contact but also know his very young!
Any advice would be appreciated

Hey how is your baby now? I have similar concerns thank you x

Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 05/06/2024 06:09

Chzm · 05/06/2024 01:49

Hey how is your baby now? I have similar concerns thank you x

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Hi! My little boy is now 11 months, crawling, trying to learn to walk, laughing and gives great eye contact now he is very engaged with everyone around him but is very clingy to me, my husband and his grandparents won't go to people he doesn't know. It's so hard because no matter how much someone tells you not to worry it doesn't stop you when it's your baby! I don't know when things changed exactly but it just seemed to happen! I hope this helps put your mind at ease! I've really come to take it on board all babies do things at different times it will happen x

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Oakley0110 · 17/02/2025 22:46

@Strawberrybuba how is your baby now x

Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 18/02/2025 08:59

Oakley0110 · 17/02/2025 22:46

@Strawberrybuba how is your baby now x

I now have a very energetic bubbly 18 month old! The time has gone incredibly quickly looking back at this post! He is doing really well my concerns about eye contact have gone 🙂

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Oakley0110 · 03/03/2025 15:52

@Strawberrybuba aww I’m so happy to hear this.

did end up having CMPA and reflux? My little boy does and just turned 5 months and still unsettled

my little one is 5 months but was born a month early and he doesn’t like looking at me when on my lap but does when he’s sitting in a chair or on changing map and im so worried :(
its so hard being a parent hub

glsd your little one is thriving and thanks so much for replying

Original poster

Strawberrybuba · 03/03/2025 16:05

Oakley0110 · 03/03/2025 15:52

@Strawberrybuba aww I’m so happy to hear this.

did end up having CMPA and reflux? My little boy does and just turned 5 months and still unsettled

my little one is 5 months but was born a month early and he doesn’t like looking at me when on my lap but does when he’s sitting in a chair or on changing map and im so worried :(
its so hard being a parent hub

glsd your little one is thriving and thanks so much for replying

Thank you for your message. He didn't have reflux but I'm sure there was a slight CMPA which even now he is sensitive to too much dairy. I know its so so hard not to worry when your in the moment but If their making eye contact in the chair/changing mat which sounds like my little boy at that time. It was that really close up he wouldn't do and to be honest even now he doesn't do it often unless we're singing a song he is far too busy wanting to look at everything else. I would always suggest to speak to your health care adviser but at such a young age you will get "wait and see". Hope your concerns do start to go away asap!

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