5 month old not reaching for anything - would this worry you?

[DrPrincessFluffyToYou]

My daughter is 5 months old tomorrow, and is still not batting / grabbing / holding toys. I’ve been getting ever more anxious about it since she was about 3 months. I try dangling toys over her, but she just stares at them with her arms firmly by her sides. Even if I place a toy in her hands, she will drop it after a few seconds and won’t bring it to her mouth. She can bring her hands together and into her mouth.

She smiles and has done a few giggles, seems to track objects and people fine, so I think her vision is ok. She can’t roll either way, but has good neck strength.

I hope someone can come on and tell me their DD was just like this and turned out fine - I’m becoming sick with worry that something is wrong

Bump?

I cant remember exactly when my DD started doing things but I wouldn't worry they all do things in their own time. If your concerned talk to your HV

Talk to the HV if you're concerned.
They all do things at their own time and pace. I can't be sure all 3 of mine were clasping things properly by 5 months and bringing it to their mouth. My middle DS didn't even start using more than 2 words until he was 3/4 or so. Yet my 2.5 year old is way advanced and attempts to back chat me with proper worded sentences and conversations as if I was talking to an adult 🤣😂 don't stress. Your DD will get there in her own time. Xx

Was she in a funny position before or during birth? Does she hold herself up on her tummy etc? DS had restricted movement because of having a stiff neck/shoulder and needed physio. (He ended up with osteopathy which was recommended by the GP as the wait was so long.)

My boy is also 5 months old tomorrow. He will happily grab toys, fingers etc. Even try to grab my food. But when it comes to lying on his play mat, his hands are firmly by his side. I would be concerned if he didn't try to grab all the time.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance

@Chaotica she was oblique for quite a long time but flipped at around 34 weeks. What signs did your DS have?

The thing that worries me is that she often has her arms out straight behind her, almost like she struggled to put them in front. In tummy time she just supermans no matter how often I place her arms under her shoulders. If I pick her up, her arms go straight back behind her. If I’m holding something she really wants she’ll use her head but not arms to try and get near it. She CAN put her arms in front of her, but it’s like it’s very difficult for her.

I’ve booked in to see a paediatric physio on Monday. Hopefully that will help.

so hard not to worry!

That's interesting @DrPrincessFluffyToYou and I do understand the worry. DS was transverse until 37 weeks and then unstable lie (which in his case meant that he flipped head down and then kept moving out of position). He also had low amniotic fluid. It could be that your DD is uncomfortable and stiff, in which case, the physio can probably help.

DS didn't roll, hold his head or himself up during tummy time, or move his head much. He tended to favour looking to one side. He was given stretching exercises (or, rather, I was, to do with him) and he had some massages on his neck and shoulders. He improved over a few weeks, although he was probably on the later end of crawling and walking. FWIW he's a sporty teenager now, so it hasn't done him any long term harm at all.

Hy
is your child grabbing anything now ?
as i am worried about mine

@DrPrincessFluffyToYou I don't suppose you could update? My little one sounds a bit like yours. Finds reaching really hard and often just lurched forward with her head to try and get things
@Maryxxx how is your little one now?
@mary

May I ask how your daughter is doing now please?

@TiredMummaChlo and @MumsyAm sorry for the late update!

she is 2 today and absolutely perfect. She scared me so much as she didn’t roll until 8m (either way) and didn’t really reach for things until around the same age. She then crawled at 9m and walked at 12m! She is talking in full sentences and running around today. I have no concerns about her development.

I would say she’s a clumsier than average child though and does fall over a lot still!

I wish I could tell my past self to stop worrying and just enjoy her 🥰

Really pleased she is doing well. Thanks for the reply

Thanks so much for your update. So glad your little one is happy & healthy.

My little girl started reaching for things around about 5 months. She'll be 7 months in a week and a bit. Like you said, I think I was expecting it around 3 months but they do all seem to do in their own time.

I wish I wouldn't worry so much too. But it's very hard when you care so much about them (- and you are spending most of your time with them) 💕