Just need some advice from you lovely ladies(long,sorry)

[wrinklytum]

DD has been late with her physical development.At nearly sixteen months she has only just started bottom shuffling.She has shown no indication of pulling herself up onto furniture or anything yet.

I may be fussing over nothing but I am beginning to get increasingly concerned regarding her physical development.If I stand her up against a table her legs seem very rigid and she does not bend her knees much,and her feet splay outwards and she will just fall backwards or slide forwards.I do not know if I am just being overly anxious.

For months she has adopted an odd posture keeping one hand grasped in a claw while moving the other,however she does seem to have fine motor skills when she manages to unclasp her hand it is quite odd.Lastly she seems to startle at sudden noises still,on occasion,really jump out of her skin,a bit like an early startle reflex.Speech wise she can say "Ca" (cat) "car" ,her brothers name etc but has not really grasped mummy or daddy seeming unable to vocalise "d" "m" and "g" sounds.She does babble after a fashion.

She appears to understand what we tell her and smiles and laughs appropriately.It is just I feel there is something not quite right,and my Mum has recently voiced her concerns.(She is a trained nursery nurse)Anyone have any ideas/advice.I am going to see my hv soon to see if he would reccomend a paediatric referral.

As you're concerned and your mum is concerned I'd say ask for a full developmental assessment. It might be nothing, it may be something like hyperflexible joints which tend to not cause lasting long problems, but you're not going to know without an assessment.

Be prepared to push the HV (you might have to).

I would ask for an assessment. She might just be late but she might have something like mild cerebral palsy - the stiff legs and the initiation of fine movement suggest this.
Whatever it is any help could build on what she does have and even if it is mild CP, with the appropriate therapy it could be overcome so by school age she could catch up.
Hope I haven't worried out with talk of CP!

I also hope I am not going to worry you here, but just giving my advice. It is interesting that she has her one hand grasped like a claw. My ds1 has Hemiplegia which is cp affecting one side of the body. It usually affects the arm and hand more than the leg. He has a severe hemiplegia and couldn't sit unsuported until he was about three. However, he is now off on his feet and there is no stopping him . Does she grasp for things using this hand? is she favouring the other hand?. Our ds1 never (and still does not) use his one hand and arm at all. Of course, his hemiplegia is severe though. He also has no speach and only ever says "mum mmm mmm" for things. I think the fact that your dd is babbling in a fashion is a good sign though. I should go to your Gp and get a referral. If there is something wrong with your daughter, the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner she can start to receive the right professional help.
Of course, she may just be favouring one hand which toddlers do, however, you do sound like you know something is wrong, so trust your instincts here.
Good luck

Good luck WT - I don't know what's going on with your DD, but I do think you're right to ask for a referral to explore your concerns. All the best.