Worried!!! Movement delay.

Awilda - posted on 11/04/2010

everything is wonderful

Anika - posted on 11/03/2010

My daughter didn't get any teeth until just before 10 months. She rolled over (from back to tummy) around 7 months, started pulling herself forward at 9 months, proper crawling at 11 months and started pulling herself up to stand the day before her 1st birthday. I believe in natural development which means allowing a baby to development on their own without putting them in positions they can't get into themselves (like propping them up to sit) or putting them into devices like exersaucers or jolly jumpers. Those things do not help children develop faster, in fact they can be a hinderance.

Forget about timelines and just focus on the order in which he develops. I would suggest lying him on the floor on his back and encouraging him to roll over onto his stomach. This will help him strengthen the correct muscles as he arches and tries to pull himself over. If he can already do that, great. Just leave him lying on the floor (in whatever position he chooses) and provide interesting things for him to try and reach for. Don't give things to him. Encourage him to move to get it himself. Once he realises that he can do things himself, he'll make more of an effort. You do want to encourage him to crawl first before walking. Crawling is the first time that you use both the left and right side of the brain and it helps build connections between each side of the brain. It also helps with hand/eye coordination.

I do know a little boy who didn't move (he bumshuffled) until he was 16 months old. He walked at about 22 months. He was always carried and never got a chance to work and strengthen his muscles. But he did get there in the end. So don't worry. Just put away the exersaucers/walkers/jolly jumpers and encourage him to move on his own.

Oh and I'd also like to say that all children are different and focus on different areas of development. It sounds like your little guy is more into communication which is great. My girl loves fine motor tasks (using her fingers) and is advanced in that area. She's also good with communication skills. That's what she has focused on in the last 6 months. It's just now that's she's become more focused on gross motor skills. Once your little guy decides to focus on gross motor skills, I'm sure he'll start advancing in leaps and bounds (pun not intended LOL).

Laura - posted on 11/02/2010

Thanks, ladies. I try to do tummy time with him... although he HATES it and usually flips over to resolve his discomfort lol He's a VERY stubborn child and the daycare doesn't help. They spoil him rotten which is good and bad... it probably contributes to his laziness! ;-) He has exersaucers, jumpers, pack 'n plays, all of which he uses and loves. He has a walker which he has only figured out how to go backwards in. When he can't get it to go the direction that he wants he gets frustrated and gives up, even when I try to show him how to move his little feet forward. It's a daily struggle with him... I feel like I'm always trying something new to encourage more movement, and he's always upset about it lol

*sigh* my husband and I apparently were both late walkers so maybe it carries over. Thanks for the support ladies!

Meghan - posted on 11/02/2010

Hi Laura! Our little ones are so close in age! My Emily was born Oct. 1, 2009. She got her first 2 teeth by 6 months and walking by 9 months. She was a petite baby and still is. Long and lean like her dad. She never really liked walkers/ exersaucers so we never used them. I always made sure she had tummy time, which she didn't like..but every little bit helps. The more they have to do on their own the more they strengthen their muscles. Not sure if you use things like that...but maybe he's using them too much?? Just a thought. It sounds like he needs to do some work on his own...if he wants a toy...put it near him but don't give it to him. He will learn that he can do things himself just fine and everyone doesn't need to help him all the time. We didn't help Emily to walk at all and she still walked early!! We had no walkers to help her do this. She managed all on her own. I would just suggest to give your little guy room to roam..we never used pack n' plays either for the most part. He will see how great being able to move independantly can be...some kiddos just take their time. Don't worry once he's running faster than speedy gonzales you'll wonder why you even worried! :-) Oh..and see if you can still get him to crawl first..they say it has something to do with better hand eye cordination and possibly reading skills...not sure how that works but it is what I've heard. Good luck!

Laura - posted on 11/02/2010

Wow, I wish I really had some answers for you on this. My son was born oct 30th and he got his first 2 teeth at 5.5 months old, started crawling at 7months and walking at 11 months. I know some babies just take their time and will do it when they want to. has he been rolling over? i think thats the first step to crawling. You may just have a lazy/stubborn little boy! keep practicing, thats really the best thing i can say since ive never personally been through this. I'm sure someone else has. Hang in there! I hope he starts getting it soon!