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Children's health

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Original poster

Should I be concerned? 8 month development

32 replies

Tiredmumma221 · 23/02/2025 20:02

My LO was born in June 2024 and is almost 8 and a half months. I know everyone says that babies develop at different rates, but I can't help feeling like my little one is behind or something just isn't quite right.
He's never rolled and can sit independently for a few seconds but can't lift his hands off the floor without falling. He is bright and makes eye contact babbles and laughs, he loves songs and rhymes and is generally pretty happy. He loves musical instruments, but really struggles to hold rattles and shakers and drops them after a few seconds. He tries really hard and ends up crying during almost every play session because it seems like he can't do what he wants.
I don't know if this is within the realms of typical development or whether I should be concerned. Any reassurance, advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Unseenentity · 23/02/2025 20:04

Have you had any health visitor contacts, recently, or coming up?

PrincessOfPreschool · 23/02/2025 20:10

I don't think at 8.5 months he'd be getting frustrated at a 'play session'. Are you sure he isn't picking up your anxiety or are you trying to get him to do things he's not ready for/ doesn't want. Does he sit in a highchair and grab at food. Can he hold a bit of toast and suck it/ nibble on it, or a stick of cold cucumber (gray for teething!). Try to have lots of fun with food and sit him up in a highchair (preferably a harder one which isn't too comfortable to slump into!). At that age mine would sit in a high chair for ages watching me cook whilst they nibbled on stuff.

Haveiwon · 23/02/2025 20:15

I’d contact the HV and tell them what you have said here. They might be able to refer you to physio/ paediatrician to give your little one a bit of a helping hand. And if they think your LO is all good and doesn’t need referrals then you’ll have peace of mind

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 23/02/2025 20:29

PrincessOfPreschool · 23/02/2025 20:10

By frustrated I mean, he will try to pick up a shaker and will be able to grasp it but then when he tries to lift it, he will drop it. So he will keep trying to do and start crying.

He can pick food up but as he brings it to his mouth he will drop it and tries to pick it up again.

He sits in his highchair, we have one similar to the IKEA one but with a footrest and 5-point harness so it's very upright but we have the inflatable cushion insert in it. He like to play in his highchair but after a while he slumps over to the side and then can't right himself.

I'm not generally anxious, maybe I am trying things he isn't ready for.

OP posts:

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 23/02/2025 20:36

Unseenentity · 23/02/2025 20:04

Have you had any health visitor contacts, recently, or coming up?

We haven't seen the health visitor in a few months. We initially had quite a bit of contact due to him having prolonged jaundice and liver issues and needing weighing regularly due to feeding and weight issues and was very helpful in suggesting CMPA and reflux and once both of those were sorted that got better and then she got in touch after he'd had a hospital admission due to seizures at a few months old.

I don't think we are due to see the health visitor until his around 12 months old. Maybe I'll get in touch with her a bit sooner.

OP posts:

Haveiwon · 23/02/2025 20:37

“He can pick food up but as he brings it to his mouth he will drop it and tries to pick it up again”

Do you mean he can’t fed himself at all? If so, I’d definitely get on to the HV or GP as that is a 6 month old milestone - hence baby-led weaning being a thing from 6 months.

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 23/02/2025 20:41

I'm not saying it's anything to worry about, but definitely get advice from a health visitor or GP.

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 23/02/2025 20:49

Thanks for the advice, I'll speak to the GP tomorrow.

He has a bit of a rough start and went through a lot in his early weeks and spend a lot of time in hospital.

I was just hoping that he is doing things in his own time. I thought he might be a little delayed as all the younger babies at our baby class are rolling and it's a bit of a potato next to them.

I feel awful that I've waited now and not got advice sooner.

OP posts:

cariadlet · 23/02/2025 20:56

It's worth seeing a dr or health visitor but I certainly wouldn't beat yourself up over not doing anything sooner.

If he had a rough start and spent a lot of time in hospital, he's very likely to be a little behind where babies typically are at this age. It's not necessarily anything to worry about and doesn't mean that he won't get there in his own time.

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 23/02/2025 21:08

My little one spent her first few months in hospital, and it really delayed her development to start with. Try not to worry, but do get expert advice.

Trallia · 23/02/2025 21:10

Don't beat yourself up about when you seek professional advice. No-one wants to have a baby with developmental delays - we want our children happy, healthy and flying. It's natural to try to push worries to one side, and hope time sorts things out, as babies genuinely do all develop at different rates.

It sounds like you have all had a really rough start with lots of anxiety, too.

I can't tell from you post if you need to be worried. My daughter could worm crawl at 6 months, but still struggled to sit at 7. She got enormously frustrated about her clumsiness and ability to move yo things she wanted at this time, and it felt like she spent all day shouting about it! She started pulling herself up to stand at 9 months, but then was near 18 months before first steps happened. It felt like she'd never walk, and everyones babies were ahead! But some of her nursery workers in the baby mentioned how unusually clever her understanding was. (Things like showing empathy to other children and toys, and copying things she had seem.) They really do just differ in what they manage and when.

Getting a check isn't going to hurt. Either it'll give you reassurance, or be the first step towards knowing more and doing something about it. Neither of those things are bad outcomes.

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 24/02/2025 13:35

I just wanted to come back and update. I spoke to the health visitor this morning and she advised me to speak to the GP to get is muscle tone checked and she is going to refer him to the community physios as she thinks he might need a bit of help to get moving.

Thanks all for your kind comments and advise.

OP posts:

cariadlet · 24/02/2025 23:03

Thanks for the update. That sounds very positive - nothing serious to worry about and some helpful support being given.

HallidayJones6779 · 18/04/2025 20:09

How have you got on with everything OP?

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 20/04/2025 18:39

HallidayJones6779 · 18/04/2025 20:09

How have you got on with everything OP?

Thanks so much for checking in.
My little one is now 10 months old and is having input from a few different professionals.
He's having regular physio, he's trying really hard to learn to roll and his self-feeding skills are really developing.
He's been seen by general pediatrics at our local hospital and has been referred to a specialist hospital for more investigations, which are coming up soon.

OP posts:

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 20/04/2025 20:15

I'm so glad he's getting physio and having investigations.

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 02/05/2025 17:13

Just another update.
We saw a specialist pediatrician today, he was diagnosed with low muscle tone. He has been referred for genetic testing and an MRI of his brain and spine and some other testing on his muscles. The pediatrician then called me this afternoon to say that all the referrals has been processed and it should all be done soon.

I'm pretty flawed by it because I had geared myself up for them to say that he's fine just a bit delayed and will catch up with a bit of physio.

OP posts:

Haveiwon · 02/05/2025 19:04

Not surprised you are feeling floored. It sounds as if they are being proactive, which is such a good thing. Early intervention is always better than trying to sort things out later. How is the physio coming on?

HallidayJones6779 · 02/05/2025 21:30

You're doing a great job OP - getting things looked into sooner rather than later. Your LO has a great mum xxx

Monty88 · 02/05/2025 21:45

You must be beside yourself OP

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 02/05/2025 22:32

He's made some progress, but not as much as expected.
I'm currently just trying to not to Google everything the bloods will test for.

OP posts:

Gotabadfeelingaboutthis · 02/05/2025 22:41

Totally different scenario, but I remember getting advice when I was anxiously waiting for some potentially scary results. Whatever the results show (if anything) you finding them out doesn't change the diagnosis. Whatever diagnoses might be there, is there already. Finding out is a positive step in hopefully being able to access support, help, medicine, treatment, funding, Whatever it is that might be needed to improve things. It's the moment you're empowered to know what you're (potentially) dealing with and arm yourself with knowledge and support. He's already so lucky to have such a brilliant mum who noticed an issue, followed it up and is advocating for him. But I know how scary and overwhelming it can feel. Sending you lots of hugs and my very best wishes for a positive step forward for you ❤️

Trallia · 03/05/2025 13:51

Just sending some hugs.

Original poster

Tiredmumma221 · 03/05/2025 20:43

To top off an absolute shitter of a week. LO has been admitted to hospital. He's so tired and poorly, they think he has some sort of infection that has just completely overwhelmed him.
My momma heart is hurting.

OP posts:

Topjoe19 · 03/05/2025 20:57

Oh OP your poor little one! You must be so worried. How is he? I hope you have some support

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