Please help?

[ThirdTimeLucky27]

Hi all.. Just looking for someone to help and advise me in anyway..
My daughter is now 11 months old, she was born at 37 weeks due to me having preeclampsia. Labour and delivery was all smooth although quick but no problems during or after birth.
I have had concerns about her physical development for a few months now, she's always held her head well but has no interest in sitting up and never has, if I try to put her in a sitting position she folds forward or chucks herself back. She rolls both ways and reaches for toys. When on her tummy she gets onto her knees but doesn't seem to put any weight through her arms.
She has recently started pushing off her legs when she's being held but can only do this for a few seconds.
She also struggles with getting food to her mouth, she can do it but not as-well as others her age and prefers me to do it for her.
Other skills all seem to be normal she smiles and laughs a lot.. She recognises family and will get upset if I leave the room. She's babbles and is making new sounds all the time. She will sometimes clap and wave and she responds to her name.

So why won't my baby sit up? What could be wrong? I'm constantly googling and seeing things like cerebral palsy and dyspraxia. Are there other things it could be, could it be nothing? I feel like I'm wasting her baby days worrying 😞 Everywhere I go people are asking, is she sitting, is she crawling? I know they mean no harm but every time it's like a kick to the stomach.

I have been to the doctor twice and seen my HV earlier but both have a wait and see attitude and have played it down but I'm not seeing any improvement so I have made an appointment with a different doctor which will be just after she's turned one.

Thank you so much if you have taken the time to read all this ♥️

Hi, my baby was born prematurely due to preeclampsia. He was late in all aspects of physical development. Didn't sit up until 12 months. Crawling was at 15 months, didn't walk until 22 months but he's done it all in his own time. Google is not your friend here. All children but particularly premature ones develop at different rates. The wait and see attitude is fine for now. At some point in the future they will refer to Physio if needed. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry x

I am so grateful for your reply. It's reassuring to know others are in the same position and things have turned out okay x

There are lots of possible reasons, including ‘just’ prematurity, so it may just be a case of time. However, if you are concerned, you can push to be seen by physio &/or paeds. You may even be able to self refer to physio - you can in some areas. Some areas even have drop-in physio sessions.

Thank you. I'm hoping the doctor will refer us at this next appointment.

I think the being prem is a red herring. Myself I would push for referral. You may cancel the appointment before it comes through if it all miraculously resolves but I think an 21 month old who cannot sit and struggles more than you think is normal for her age with self feeding warrants assessment. (For transparency I’m just a mum and my child’s difficulties were dismissed at the same stage)

Before the GP appointment, it would be worth looking at the Ages and Stages questionnaire. It would be the 12 month questionnaire which you can see here.

I think the being prem is a red herring.

Me too, especially since 37 weeks is considered full term.

Thank you. She's only 11 months but I agree it needs looking into

Thank you. This has been done with the health visitor and shows she is delayed in her gross motor but all other areas were okay. That was at 10 months so will have a look through now and see if anything has changed

Sorry the 21 was a typo. I meant 11 and I really do think it needs taking seriously.

Thank you. Annoying that even a doctors appointment takes weeks! But that's another matter.

It would have been a different ages and stages questionnaire at 10 months so it is worth relooking.