6month old seems behind developmentally?

[PfizerFan]

I'm extremely worried about my daughter. She will be six months old next week and can't roll from back to front (can the other way) and can't sit unassisted for more than a few seconds without falling. Is this normal? It seems everybody else in my NCT course have babies who are rolling everywhere and already sitting
The health visitor is refusing to visit (got a six week check up and after that nothing until a year!) and the GP isn't interested. I have had to stop going to baby classes as they make me too anxious.

Am I right to be concerned?

I think that sitting at 6 months is on the early side. Most might be able to do so for a couple of seconds, but not longer without support. And I suspect the same muscles for rolling are used for sitting. I wouldn't be too worried about that at all. Your not class also sounds a bit boasty. Are they also all sleeping through?!

One of mine never rolled. Crawled at 8 months and walked at one.

The other crawled at 8 months or so, walked at 14 months. I don’t remember him rolling either.

Don’t avoid baby groups you were enjoying because of this it will make you more isolated and likely to worry.

There must be a drop in if you’re really worried. But I wouldn’t. She sounds perfectly normal.

Try to relax if you can.

Your Dd will develop in her own time. It is unlikely there's a problem.

It may look like her development has slowed but it's not a race. And you don't know what her little brain has been working on that you can't see. She may be storing away all sorts of things and start talking to you in a few months.

You provide love care and attunement and the vast majority of the time baby will develop.

Of course there can be difficulties- but not rolling and not sitting at 6 mths is not an indicator at this stage that anything is wrong.

If she's not sitting in 2-3 mths time - then maybe check with your HV.

My first was walking at 9 months. My second didn’t roll in either direction until ten months. He was walking at 14 months and after that was ahead on everything. He just doesn’t do anything until completely ready (whereas my first pushes herself relentlessly and always wants to do more). It’s character as well as development.

When they're all 20 and at uni, no one will care what age they crawled at! Stop worrying!

Also, watch the Bluey episode Baby Race.

Honestly don't worry. My boy was always slower to do physical milestones. He was sound 9 months before i delft comfortable leaving him sitting on his own. He was 18months before he was on his feet. He's now 2.5 and runs everywhereeeeeeeeeeee😅his speach on the other hand is fantastic and everyone always comments on how good it is. Along with his understanding.

My son didn't roll until he was 7 months old and even then he only did it a few times.

I don't remember exactly when he was sitting unassisted but not at 6 months.

He's absolutely fine.

Hi OP please don't worry. My DD didn't roll until 10 months - I don't know why! I just walked into her room one morning and she was asleep on her belly.
The HV and GP were very unbothered about this and said it's very normal for babies to take an extra 6 months after the "milestone average" to do things.
My DD still isn't walking at 16m and again the HV said that they start to worry at around 20-24 months if baby still isn't walking which seems really late to me but yeah!
I know it's hard when you're in a group, and I really struggled with this but care less now. Try to not make it a focus as you can drive yourself mad.

I had a child who rolled once, at 9 months, then never did it again. She didn’t crawl but him shuffled instead and was a late walker. She’s now in her twenties and absolutely fine. Please don’t worry.

Comparison is the thief of joy m’love. You need to try and focus what is normal for your little one and not what others are doing. If the HV and GP are not concerned please listen to them for your own sanity.

Also bear in mind that many people at baby groups tell the positive stories that make them feel confident. It’s like social media - about 15% of the whole story. Take much of it with a pinch of salt and if you find someone you gel with then hang on to them

Thanks all...will try chill out. Feeling a bit better after all the messages.

Your baby is probably a bit young for Bluey, but treat yourself to the episode Baby Race (Season 2, episode 50).

@NuffSaidSam you got there before me!

My DS, born at 41 weeks, didn't sit unaided until he was 12.5 months old. He'd pull up to standing before then (but not much earlier) to cruise round furniture sideways but wouldn't take steps if you held his hands whilst he was standing until he started walking at 15 months. He didn't point or wave until way pay past 1. He was referred to a paediatrician at 12 months who said all was fine, he just did things in his own time and order and that's been very true of him since the day he was born!

He is currently in his GCSE year and predicted 11 GCSEs at grade 7 and above.

The don't all read the baby books and follow the set schedule! Just keep an eye and contact the GP/HV (I know, I know) if you are worried that something really isn't right.

In 99% of cases they all get there eventually - just all doubg different things at different times.

My dd didn't walk til 18mo, and her cousin who we spent a lot of time with (born the same week as each other) walked at 9mo! It was frustrating as her mum enjoyed comparing, but honestly, they all just do stuff at different rates.

If you aren't enjoying the groups by all means stop, or reduce which ones you go to, but working on not comparing is the first step. Hard as it is.

My dd1 was 7 months before she could sit, she barely crawled going straight to walking at 10 months

At 4 months, a baby typically can hold his/her head steady without support, and at 6 months, he/she begins to sit with a little help. At 9 months he/she sits well without support, and gets in and out of a sitting position but may require help.

See much later than you think

Quickredfox got there before both of you! 😂

But in all seriousness, it's a really good episode, and might help you OP.

I remember bursting into tears at a baby group when DC1 rolled over for the first time at 6 months. I thought she was never going to do it. She then proceeded to do it only once or twice before she learned to pull to stand and crawl. Then she barely babbled until she started talking at 2.... DC2 is following the milestones in his own time too. Some ahead, some behind. It's hard when it feels like you're lagging behind, but you're really not. Your baby is running their own race, and you're doing great.

@PfizerFan We’ve all been there! It’s really hard not to compare or to worry 😊 But honestly, unless you have any other concerns - your baby sounds perfectly normal 😊
Lots of time in the floor & lots of tummy time. Sit toys round about your baby JUST out of their reach. They’ll soo get moving when they’re ready!
Don’t stress over weaning either! Do some research into the different options, start with an open mind and see what’s going to work best for you as a family 😊

@PfizerFan please don't worry, babies don't read the books on child development and there's a huge variation in when they all do things!

My eldest rolled at 12 weeks and my youngest barely ever rolled til he was nearly 10 months old! Then went straight to crawling. Nothing wrong with either of them

As others have said there is such a huge variation at this age. But picking up your other point about health visits, is there a drop in/baby weigh clinic in your area? Maybe through a family hub? I know a lot have closed but if you can get to one I always found them useful for advice on things like this.

Please don't worry, I know that's easier said that done because I was exactly the same when my DD was 6 months, but it's honestly not a problem yet! For what it's worth, mine finally rolled at 7-8 months, sat around 10 months and walked at 15 months and HV had no concerns at any point. They just do it when they're ready I think!

A walking 9 month baby sounds hell on earth.

They don't have the sense not to walk into danger.