9 month old not crawling or babbling

[WorryingFTM]

Hi I am awash with worry; it's really starting to get to me!

My DD just turned 9 months old. She sits well unsupported and will reach for toys but HATES being on her tummy, she just rolls out. She doesn't attempt to go on her knees or make any attempts towards crawling.

Further to this, she is not babbling like the other babies of her age in her baby group. She makes lots of vowel sounds and sometimes the odd consonant sound but never a string of canonical babbling, such as bababa. I've heard lots of people say, early talker/walker but what do I do if I have neither?

I feel like a terrible mother and am at the very end of the rope. We read together, sing, babble, talk and I use motherese. I give her plenty of floor time and encourage her with a wide range of toys but she seems stuck in this seated position.

I don't know where to go from here? I just assumed that because my husband and I are intelligent, we would also have a baby who was a smart cookie. I'm ashamed to admit that but I don't know what to do, whether I should worry, whether she is going to be slow forever, whether she will catch up or if I need to get her some help. I would love to hear some stories from fellow mums or advice.

Thank you x

@WorryingFTM my DD didn't sit up properly til 8 months, didn't crawl til 10 months and at her 1 year review was in the concern area for gross motor. At 13 months, she suddenly got up and walked, and now at 2 year 2 months, she's 'exceeding' with her physical development according to nursery! I could never have predicted that! I can't remember when she started babbling, but I do remember she only said dadadada for absolutely ages. Her speech is now good for her age. Everyone said this to me at the time, but they really do progress at different rates. Hope this gives you some reassurance!

DD (17 months) crawled at 11 months and recently started making noises and talking. Not walking yet. Try not to worry x

Has any professional shown concern?

Our youngest never crawled and hated being on her belly. She sat and pointed at things Then she developed an ability to bottom shuffle at great speed, scooting with one leg extended. She was quite late walking too, compared to her siblings. She then just stood and walked quite steadily around 14 months. She’s just a a first from a RG. She danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet and is about as co-ordinated as they come.
They are all different. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Speech wise she sounds spot on normal too.

Thank you, these stories really do help!! I have a bloody psychology degree and a masters. I KNOW development happens in bursts and not in a steady way... curse my anxious brain!

@WorryingFTM

It goes a bit deeper than that. I had a very traumatic birth where I needed life saving surgery and 6 blood transfusions. As a result I didn't get to see DD for a few days. I feel as if this lack of early bonding has somehow damaged her or that because I failed her initially, I'm going to keep on failing her and that she deserves much better than me! It's not about keeping up but instead a thought that if everyone else's baby can what am I getting wrong 😔

I had a similar situation, terrible labour, into a c section, no latch at all so breastfeeding was a total failure and that failing feeling stayed with me for a long time. Now he's 2.5 and completely the same as his peers etc. If I could go back I would tell myself not to worry!

@newmum234

This website is great and also has a progress checker if you are concerned

ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/progress-checker-home/

I just filled in this website for my DS, answered "yes" to all the questions but two and it's saying that I need to call/email them for a chat with their speech/language therapists about my baby's development! Talk about anxiety inducing...

This website is awful!

@ivftake1 I really don’t agree that it is awful.

Unfortunately in the uk we don’t screen kids enough in primary care for speech issues. There is very little speech therapy available compared to many other countries. If I had seen this tracker when my dc was 9 months maybe they wouldn’t have had a severe speech delay at 2.

My DS didn't sit reliably until about 8 months, didn't crawl until 10 months and couldn't make noises other than high pitched squeals for AGES! He's now 12 months and can crawl, stand and is just starting to cruise the furniture. He's saying mama and dada but there's no context to it. So I don't have an early walker or talker. However, he is a master at lift the flap books and has figured out the shape sorter. So try to look at what your daughter can do rather than what she can't. Chances are there'll be something that she is doing well. As for the rest, it will come.

I don't think it sounds too concerning to be honest.

Crawling is not a developmental milestone and plenty of babies never crawl at all. Two of my three DDs never crawled at all. Both began bum shuffling sometime around 9 or 10 months. DD2 then walked at 23 months and DD3 at 21 months. Both were perfectly normal and are now healthy adults.

DD1 was my only crawler, and she didn't do it until she was about a year old. She then walked at 14 months.

None were talking at 9 months, just some sounds.

Try to relax more and enjoy your baby. They all do things at their own pace and you really can't rush it.

Thank you all, your replies do mean the world to me!

I think the past few months has been pretty rough. We have been on our own all throughout lockdown and it's been hard not to obsess over little things!

Just a little update... LO started babbling like crazy a few days ago, literally overnight and she has even looked at me, put her arms out and said mum so clearly! what a relief!

This website is awful!

They could at least give some sort of reassurance or context on their website before skipping straight to “call us”. Now I’m concerned that something might be wrong with DS

@WorryingFTM great news OP!

I'm sure the website means well and the support they offer sounds amazing. However, some of the milestones that lead to a call us are simply not risk factors alone. E.g pointing 100% isn't a risk factor until 12 months. So maybe a call us is to discuss if there are further risk factors.

I was freaking out massively this time last week and then she woke up and literally overnight could babble and then skipped straight to her first word 3 days later, which she now keeps saying when she needs me! We've gone from nothing to an early talker- who knew?! My child is very contemplative and likes to watch and observe. My mum said to me LO won't do things until she knows she can. E.g we didn't have and topply sitting. She sat at 6.5months perfectly and never toppled! She didn't babble much until she knew she could and skipped straight to her first word!

Every baby is different. My first crawled at 9 months and walked at 12 months. My second crawled at 7 months and walked at 10 months! Third, 10 months still has not crawled...but gets around like a slug dragging herself and using her feet to help push her legs. She likes to stand a lot w support. I think she may skip crawling and just get around dragging herself. I anticipate she will walk 14/15 months. Also, same for teeth, first one got her first two at 10 months! Second one 4 months and third one 7 months! Things happen at different times.

Does she look at things? Track things? Does she reach out for things or appear to have object permanence? Does she understand language - just single words like bottle or Daddy? If these skills are going well, you probably have nothing to concern yourself over, but do seek further advice if you are worried.

Oh wow - I should read the full thread - happy days!

I'm gad she is babbling.
Two things: a) if you are worried at all contact your HV or GP. Mine had the motto that if the parents are worried then parents know best. So would always check/get further assessments even if only to reassure.
b) lots of kids never crawl. Two of mine bottom shuffled and were pretty late walkers, but they are normal active young people and have a high intelligence. (In fact one of mine seemed to be about to go straight from bottom shuffling to walking, but then decided to crawl for 1 month first).

Worry is normal, but if you think yours is excessive, then some counselling could help.

Hi how’s your little one come on?