Is my son behind?

[ArlosMumma]

My son is (just turned) 9 months. And I'm wondering if he's behind

He didn't start sitting until he was 6.5/7 months and is still wobbly. He has no teeth although been teething since he was 3ish months. He isn't pulling himself up to stand or crawling yet. He did start to roll at 2/3 months. He makes to occasional noise but not like mama/dada etc. He also doesn't understand weaning yet. Is he behind? And what can I do?

Is he actually spitting it out/rejecting it or is his tongue just pushing it out?

Honestly I would go with something like fromage frais or very smooth pureed banana to start with.

There is nothing wrong with starting baby led weaning style with normal/solid foods as long as you avoid choking hazards. Both mine have started on sliced cucumber, not steamed or anything either, and been fine.

I definitely agree though all methods won't suit all babies or parents. This little chap sounds like he has a very particular palate :) is he bringing items to his mouth to explore which aren't food yet? I remember when DS1 was little I had a friend online whose daughter really struggled with solids and her health visitor/gp got her referred to someone who really helped with a slow and steady programme. I remember her celebrating when she managed to eat one leg of a pombear crisp! It sounds a bit more than normal weaning fussiness and that you've tried a variety of foods and texture, so I would defo ask for support.

I brought a puree and melty sticks. I tried a puree (it's 4+ months) and he started crying as soon as it went near his mouth and spat it out again.

I tried to speak to HV and all she said was some babies aren't ready to be weaned yet. She's leaving so don't know who we will have our 9 month check with

Hmm that doesn't sound right. I think by 9 months most would say that babies are in need of more in terms of dietary input. TBH in conjunction with not babbling much yet I would make an appointment to see your GP, explain your HV is moving on and you don't have a new one (or maybe try to contact HV team centrally?) and see if they recommend a referral to SALT.

This is a good site for speech development (the same muscles are involved in eating and speech so this may be relevant)

www.talkingpoint.org.uk/

Interesting (but very old) thread here - as just a forum discussion do take with pinch of salt :) but it came up in a search I was doing, and I thought it may be useful.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/392223-about-breastfeeding-weaning-and-speech-development-for-tori32

Will call GP tomorrow. Thanks will look at those links

Hi OP. I find that all kids are different and will go through stages too.

My son walked at 10 months but is now 2 years and 9 months old with no speech at all. Plenty of noise but no words at all.

Once he hit a year, he started gagging and throwing up wet food. This went on for a year until he was 2 then he was ok and started wet textures again to the point he'll now dip his chips, cucumber etc into a dip.

When it comes to movement and physical development my son is fast with everything. Sitting up, crawling, walking, running, climbing etc.

When it comes to things like speech, cognitive things like using a fork and understanding, he is slow. Although he ditched a bottle pretty fast and used a sippy cup quite early on.

I'm at a stand still at the moment. His speech just isn't progressing. He's almost 3 and can't talk at all. He's uttered daddy a few times but that is it. We've been waiting 3 months for speech therapy now.

Because his physical development was so fast, I never worried at all. It was only when he hit 2 that I was like hang on, he isn't really doing things other 2 year olds do like talking, using a fork and being able to follow instructions. Even now, he understands bedtime, bathtime, supper time, lunch time, we're going out, stand up, sit down, take some water, play gently with your toys and no to a certain degree but there's no way he would understand, for example, go and get your jacket and shoes or put that wrapper in the bin.

I think if you're worried about anything, just keep an eye on it until he's 18 months - 2 years then if you still feel he's a bit behind, talk to someone

For speech my eldest loved the books with 100 words in and pointing to pictures. I wpuld sauly the word lots of times. I can't remember how many times they need to hear a word to say it, maybe 50?
If you are not sure of understanding just keep testing them. So ask them to get the book, put it somewhere etc.
Both mine were early speakers but neither slept really and were both quite naughty toddlers so would have heard a lot more words than an average child!

Op it sounds like it could be sensory. Like a pp said does he pick up other things and put in the mouth?
Could you maybe sit him on your lap with your food in front of you both. Some kids want what others have got.

Your hv can refer to SALT therapy if they think needed. With my dd I wasn't sure they could offer any advice we hadn't tried at home. You can't force a baby to eat, mine started when ready. Eventually it was after months of having those orange baby crisps to hold. The ones that melt when sucked. We think she had oral aversion caused partly by being force fed antibiotics (by me :( . The next thing she would try was satsumas. She's still picky now.

Hv suggested also putting puree on a toy. My dd watched me do it and wasn't impressed.

I've just bought a fresh food feeder but can purees go in it or just fruit/veg?

He doesn't put other things to his mouth except his comforter.

He does have a dummy but he only has it when we are out or when he's asleep.