Developing at different times

Christine - posted on 11/07/2010

My b/g twins developed completly different to each other as babies and are still the same at 7yrs. My son was about 6-8 weeks ahead in nearly everything, she wouldnt do it till she knew exactly what to do by watching. They were only 2 weeks early and happy staying in there but had no choice. So I dont think being born early has anything to do with it. Twins are born together but they are two completly different people.

Leslie - posted on 11/07/2010

Hi Amy... I am a mom of twin B/G. They are nine years old now and they were born 8 weeks early. My son weighed 2 pound 9 ounces and my daughter weighed 2 pounds 15 ounces. But I just recently found out they both have a learning disability. (which I don't claim). The reason why I didn't find out until now is because I always thought it was from them being preemies. My daughter understands a little more than her twin brother. If you saw them you would even be able to tell. If your still concerned by the time they are 15 months. Then take them to a specialist and let them guide you through the process. This way you will catch it early on. I wish I did. Homework night in my household is like ...... I love them & wouldn't change them for ANYTHING!! ♥ ♥

Danielle - posted on 11/02/2010

I wouldn't worry!! My twin boys were born at 37 1/2 weeks and they hardly did anything at the same time. The one didn't crawl until about a month after his brother and then didn't walk until about three months after his brother and they are both perfectly fine!! Now they both RUN and you'd never know one was later than the other ;)

Elizabeth - posted on 11/01/2010

No. One of mine was always 6 weeks ahead of the other..that is until they were 4 years old. Then one of mine started to read basic words and could do his counting really high. Now they are both in first grade, one is in second grade reading, the other in third while both are in second grade math (but one is a little more advanced than the other).

It's easy to compare twins but the reality is that they are two different people and will learn different things at different times. The only way you should be concerned is if one wasn't reaching normal milestones.

Christiana - posted on 10/31/2010

I was worried about the same thing. And my pediatrician told me that even though they are twins they are still indivuals and that they will develop differentyly. My twins are 6 years old now and they still do things at a different rate. But now when 1 had learned something the other has to learn it too. I think it is a competion thing now.

Jenmy - posted on 10/29/2010

Don't worry about that, it is normal...my twins are 16 months old and baby A was always 2 months ahead then baby B, when A was crawling B was just seating, when A was walking B was crawling, etc...

Danielle - posted on 10/29/2010

My twins were born at 34 weeks. My Twin B is developing quicked than Twin A. Although Twin B is smaller, she is fiesty and gets Twin A going! Dont worry about development so early, my twins just turned 1. They are right on track. Make sure to spend plenty of time with them and try to stimulate them.

Angela - posted on 10/29/2010

If you are truly concerned, have them tested, but at 9 months, it's a bit early. I can tell you that I have twin boys, born at 37 weeks - they are now 6 1/2. I knew at 6 months there was something 'wrong' with one of them. My mommy instinct was correct, unfortunately my dr didn't follow with my gut instinct. The one boy is mentally disabled and no reason as to why. I just know that I caught it early enough, started the testing earlier than my 'old' dr would have had us start and I got the ball rolling. He's always going to be slow, but he's a lot quicker than if we just let it go without the help. So, if you're truly concerned, go with the testing - it is normal for twins to develop differently.

Dawn - posted on 10/29/2010

All children develop at different rates, don't get nervous if one child starts doing something before the other.

Lydia - posted on 10/29/2010

Individually they will have developmental differences. My twins (born at 26 weeks) developed at different rates, but because one twin was disabled. We didn't find out until she wasn't keeping up with her sister. Talk to your Pediatrician about having Emily tested.

Alda - posted on 10/29/2010

My girls were born at 28 weeks and they were 2 in August. Laura has been walking for almost a year and is talking in sentences already. Alice has only been standing for about a month and can't be bothered walking. She can, she just doesn't see the point. She also only says about 5 words. They get there at their own pace. It's hard not to worry and I also do sometimes, but all you can really do is wait 'till they're ready. Good luck :-)

Chantal - posted on 10/28/2010

not at all honey!! Talulah was the slower one in crawling, lifting up... she always justed stared at Marcus- thinking 'what are you up too- are you for real ;-)' but they started walking as soon as they turned 1 year. don't stress, each and every baby are different in developing even if they are twins ;-)

Trish - posted on 10/27/2010

I have 9 month old twins and one baby has been crawling for 2 months now and is pulling herself up on everything and the other twin isn't rolling over or sitting on her own yet so I feel your pain, we are going to take her to a physical therapist so see if there is a medical reason or if she is just being a "lazy baby". I hope I am worrying for nothing.

Amy - posted on 10/27/2010

Went for their 9 month check up today and Pedi said they were "PERFECT". He said that some babies just go straight into walking, so we shall see.

Leighanne - posted on 10/27/2010

Talk to your ped. next time you have a well care, my Gracie never crawled she would pull her self around on her bum. Noah was walking around 14 months. Gracie toilet trained at 2 years old, Noah toilet trained at 4. But if your worried don't be affraid to ask the doc.

Jess - posted on 10/26/2010

I am a bit worried about my twin girls aswell as they have just turned 1 and are not crawling , standing, pulling them selves up ect, they have both have just started 2 sit up they were full term 38 weeks ) they were the 3rd set born in the week i was up in hosp and another 3 sets were born at the end of the week so there was 6 sets born the same week as mine and were early , i was the only 1 that had twins full term . my girls are friends with every single 1 and have play dates , all of thoses sets are walking and mine are no were ( and they were full term ) others wernt , so i dont no if i should be worried or not aswell ? we also no other kids the same age that arent twins that are walkin sitting up ect , my girls are the only 2 out of every 1 else there age that arnt doing anything and even at playgroup .

every 1 is differnt just wait and see 4 a lil longer then decide if u want them looked out try not to worry 2 much , its hard not 2

Tiffany - posted on 10/25/2010

I dont see any reason for you to worry. One thing that so many people tend to forget with twins is that they are still 2 seperate individuals. Every child is different and grows at their own pace.

Kristi - posted on 10/24/2010

There's nothing to worry about at all. My twins also did things differently too. My son did everything first. My daughter would watch what her brother was doing and it wasn't until she felt like she could do it that she would. He even got his teeth before she did. He rolled first, he pulled himself all over first, he crawled first, he walked around furniture ect, first and he walked first too. My daughter to this day ( they are 13 now) won't do anything until she knows for sure that she can do it. My twins were compleat opposites right from birth. My girl took over in the womb and hasn't stopped yet, she was boss, but he did everything first. Your daughter will do things when she's ready to and not before. Unless you've been told that somethings wrong, don't worry. Encourage her as much as possible and see that she's watching her sister and when she's ready she'll take off. I don't think being early has anything to do with it unless you've been told by doctors that it does. Does her sister do everything for her like bring her toys and stuffies ect, she could just be content because her sister is doing it for her. Watch them and see if thats what they do. Mine did, but it didn't take long before my daughter decided to do it herself. I hope this helps, aren't twins fun!!!!!

Cat - posted on 10/24/2010

I know its hard not to worry, but you have to keep in mind that ALL babies are very different, even twin babies... Even though they were born at the same time, they're still very different individuals and will have different needs and different milestones... sometimes one twin will learn from the other, but not always... For example, right now one of my girls is potty training very well and progressing, her twin is not... As they get older you'll begin to see their different personalities emerge more and more... As long as you go by developmental milestones by age, and not by what one is doing vs the other, it should give you a better idea of what's in the realm of 'normal' There are lots of age by age guides out there, but if you're still concerned you can always bring it up with your Ped.

Heather - posted on 10/23/2010

That is very normal. My twins went back and forth learning to do things first. They never learned anything at the same time! Sometimes it took months for one to learn something the other already had down. I wouldn't worry, but try to encourage her to crawl. One of my girls learned to walk all on her own, the other we had to work with and encourage it for what seemed like forever before she even began to want to...

Annette - posted on 10/23/2010

twins can develop very differently. While my firstborn singleton was crawling at 7 months, it took my one twin at least 10 months to get crawling, and my girl was still doing the flat bellied commando crawl at the age of 15 months. So, when the boys were - in their own ways - racing up the stairs, she would follow them by pulling herself up with her hands, one step after the other, full of willpower. However, all kids started walking around 18 months, even though the pace of development and the chosen methods were totally different. Have a doctor check them, but apart from that I would not worry. I observed the same with speech development, one advances, the other one learns something else in the meantime or just enjoys himself, and then suddenly, with a big leap, the other one is ahead. Do you know Remo Largo's book on baby development? He shows the full bandwidth of possibilities and not just "what is mainstream", or what "most of the kids do" at a certain age. Very reassuring.

Samantha - posted on 10/23/2010

hi, my identical twin girls were born 13weeks early, they are now 18months old, Sophie is sitting up, crawling, pulling up attempting to walk and eating a varied diet whereas her sister doesnt do any of that just rolls around and has started pulling herself forward when on the floor. if your worried then mention it to a dr but like liz i think they are still very young to be worried about anything - im in the process of getting charlotte looked at but mine are 18months old and i was told there could be a chance of cerebral palsy so i think that is the safest option. Before now i was always told they would do things at there own pace and sophie has proven that!

Liz - posted on 10/22/2010

I had my b/g twins six weeks early. My son was always about a month- two months ahead of my daughter. But that was only because she was stubborn about everything. If we saw her do something, she would abruptly stop doing whatever it was. It is frustrating at times, but if your pediatrician isn't worried about them and there isn't anything medically wrong with them I'd let them be and encourage her in whatever ways you can.

My twins are two years old now and I also have a three month old son. Keep in mind that even though they are nine months they are only about a little over seven months in their adjusted age. Each child develops differently, and preemies have a different development than most full termers because they have so much more to catch up on. Some preemies catch up quickly while others it just takes them a little longer to get the hang of things.

I know it's hard to not worry about your kids, but as I said before if there are no medical causes and your doctor isn't worried then enjoy them!