My friends little girl is a little over 6 months and isn't rolling and hates to be on her tummy. She doesn't like baby food and has a hard time grasping things. She doesn't like to play with toys really. She is just happy hanging out. She sleeps most of the day and night.
I'm looking for advice to give her and some words of comfort. She compares her girl to mine that has always been really active and rolled and crawled early. I tell her every baby is different, but she is starting to really worry.
Any help you can give is great!
Has she discussed these issues with her doctor? If her doctors don't seem concerned then she shouldn't worry. Remind her that all babies are different and develop at different paces, and that she shouldn't compare her child to others. Love her child for her she is.
When my daughter was six months old she would not roll over, hated her tummy, slept a lot and even didn't quite hold her head completely up. I asked my doctor and she said it wouldn't hurt to have her evaluated "just so we all could feel better". I had her evaluated and indeed she did need therapy. But now she is a normal happy 14 month old. She's just a little behind and her therapy really helps. Some babies just take longer and some babies need a little extra help (or a lot).
Remember that all babies develope at different times. If her baby is bigger than the 'normal' size for her age, that may be part of the issue for not liking tummy time or rolling over. my son who is now almost 3, has always been big for his age, and he didnt roll over til he was 7 1/2 months and he wasn't much for tummy time. My son was also a month early (born at 36 weeks), perhaps your friend's child was preemie but she didn't realize it. I would advise her to talk to a doctor just to make sure that nothing is wrong. Maybe the grasping problem has to do with a vision issue.
These are just some ideas and I hope her little one starts progressing soon.
From a preofessional who works with children, tell her this, it is normal. Each child paces themselves and will progress at his/her own rate. This is why there is such a large range between milestones.
Signs to look for are a blank glaze in the eyes, possible seizure action or just a lackof muscle movement. In these rare cases, she should see a doctor ASAP. At her age, she should at least be moving her arms in a rapid movement, holding up her head and watching things with interest.
I would have her first talk to her doc but also refer her to your local Early Intervention prgram. Having her evaluated can either let her know everything is ok or if there is a slight delay that needs treatment then they can do that. EI is free and is provided by the local school district. As others have said every baby develops differently and things may be just fine and right on track. Having an evaluation done can let her know that either everything is just fine, but on the off chance that it isn't Early Intervention provides therapy serices to get her baby right back on track. Hope that helps.
Every child is different!!! It is so amazing how clear it becomes how unique we all are right from birth. I know how your friend feels, but the best thing she can do is embrace her own child & not compare. There are developmental clinics at most every hospital where the baby can be seen by an OT to check up on her development if she's really worried. Tell her to ENJOY her baby!!! that time when they sleep & are not active is SO FLEETING!!! Soon she'll be wishing she could just lay down next to her & watch her coo... I have heard nothing abnormal in your discription of the child...give her a hug !
She should not compare her child to others who are different. She's going to end up like my mom who did that and probably shelter her child. Children are different and learn at their own pace. I don't know her whole story, but children need to learn and experience different things inside the house that are safe and experience the outside world too. She needs to probably make her daughter do things and practice and play with her daughter. I found that out the hard way. Everything should be eye and face level to the child. Fun and entertaining. Exagerated to make it fun. The reason I know this is I have a daughter who was born ten weeks early. SHe is now 3 years old and will be four years old October. SHe need is big for three and needs occupational, physical, speech. She has autistic delays, not severe. She walks and talks, but shows social delays communication and such... be around people with children and adults. Moms need not to isolate when they have children. I would also get her daughter evaluated if she thinks something is wrong.
Hi my daughter would never be on her tummy. She never crawled and rarely rolled over. I hardley remember her even doing it. She is 2 1/2 now and totally fine. Some babys aren't ready for baby food at 6 months. Did she try rice cereal first? It may just take some pratice. I am not sure about not gripping things. She should talk to the doctor if she is that concerened. Always better to be safe than sorry. Has she always been a good sleeper like this or did it just start? Good luck to her
has she thought about getting her eyes checked I heard that it is free before they are one and I was talking to a lady a few months back at the optomatrist's office and she told me a similar story about her daughter that they were worried because she didn't seem interested in anything they found out that she needed glasses and she became a much happier baby started wanting to explore everything this could be all that it takes otherwise dont push too much and tell to try not to compare her child to other children they all learn differently and hers could be an introvert and yours an extrovert so they would have completly different learning styles.
My son is 4 months and is the same way. But he likes mirrors, so I put a mirror against the wall on the floor so he can see himself and whatever else is in the room and put a couple of small toys like links on the floor with him. It doesn't always work, but it does distract him for a while.
Hi M.. First of all, I just have to say I love the name "Lorelai"!! I would've never thought of that since it is not a basic name. I love it!!!
OK...as far as your friend. She really needs to talk to her pediatrician. They are more able to tell her when to worry and can test for hearing and motor skills development and such.
I have 6 children and I was one of those parents that forced them to learn and they ended up loving it. I still do this with my teenagers. Ha ha. Many, many babies are not going to like their tummies, but they have got to do it anyway. Their neck will not get strong if they don't. I know it is hard to watch them cry, but it is harder to watch them struggle later on.
One thing you can tell her is what someone told me once: All babies learn at different levels, but they all eventually learn to walk and talk. A lot of them are observers of the world and all of a sudden just get up and run and are the smarter ones for watching and learning. So...hmmm? You just never know. I hope everything turns out ok for her.
Can you print out some info. online as far as time lines, stages of growth, etc. to show her that it's not unusual for a child to not be playing with toys, etc. at this age? Maybe if you could show her that your daughter is just a little early at some things, and not necessarily the average. Also... it might help her to find something that her daughter does/has that you could point out to the positive... she's such a happy/peaceful baby... so calm... etc. It's hard when a friend has a baby around the same age, not to compare.
