I know this. I get it. But when I look at my 11 month old son and he has yet to crawl or take a single assisted step, how can I not worry?
When he was 9 months old and hadn't started crawling, I wondered. When he was 10 months old and hadn't started crawling, I told myself maybe he just won't crawl. But now? His first birthday is looming and even though he'll stand and play, like in the picture above, he quickly gets angry and flops down on his bum.
Not only does he refuse to be on his stomach, making it quite difficult to learn to crawl, but he hasn't even pulled himself up on his own. He hasn't sat up on his own. He is stationary, quite content to sit and play. Sometimes scooching slowly and reaching to get what he wants.
I want to accept the fact that it's just going to take time for him to become mobile but I'm a mom, it's in my DNA to worry.
So many friends are quick to tell me "oh, once he starts moving, you'll want him to sit still!" or "you're lucky he's not crawling yet!" and while I chuckle and tell them I'm sure I will rue the day I wish he would be mobile, I secretly do.
He gets frustrated so quickly when he can't get to what he wants. Sure, he'll barrel roll if he has to but in the end, he's more likely to sit/lay and play with his toes before he asserts enough energy into scooting or rolling over to what he wants. I will say that he is getting better with pulling up when we help him. I can only hope this is a tiny step in the right direction, pun intended.
Friends - tell me I'm normal to worry? Tell me what to do. Tell me how to teach my son to MOVE. He has a push toy and refuses to hold on. I try the circle of toys but he gets angry then plays with his feet instead. We do plenty of floor time which results in just him laying on his back, even if we start on his tummy. We've held his hands and tried to get him to walk - not a single step taken.
I'm frustrated and tired of hauling my 18 pound baby around.
Is there an end in sight?! :(
16 comments:
When you go for his 1 year well visit, discuss it with your pediatrician. They will have some advice! They might have some exercises to try. But I worried about it too. SS would get on all fours but not move. She actually doesn't crawl but she scoots on her bottom now. She just started pulling up to standing like last week. Don't you wish they did everything at the same time so you could plan/know what to expect?!
Also, Sarah Sterling weighs 25lbs. at one year. BIG GIRL. I feel you on the toting around.
I do feel as though you should keep the concern in your mind. If he is close enough to his well visit then wait to address it. If you still have some time I would just place a call. My husband calls me the overreactor, but I am a mom and I don't care what people think of it, my children come first. Make the call, what's the harm?
Just like you said, you're just being a mom. Worrying is so normal. But that's what doctors are for, to ease the fears of the worrying moms. =) We just had Evie's 9mo appt and he specifically told us "If she's not walking by her birthday, don't worry. If your family tells you she should be, just say 'I'll talk to her doctor' and leave it at that. It's perfectly normal." And I have friends who have kids who are just about Noah's age that aren't crawling or walking, either. I personally think he just won't crawl since he doesn't lay on his tummy, and so it just seems like he's "late," but if you're really worried, agree with previous comments and talk to your ped. I'm sure he/she will calm your fears! Hugs to a fellow worrier!!!
Hmm, so I don't have much advice, except to see what the pediatrician says. A didn't walk until almost 13mo on his own. If it makes you feel better, you do still tote them around quite a bit even when they're walking!
I had a few times where I would get worried about A's delayed development, etc and it was like as soon as I opened my mouth and said something to more than one person vs. thinking it, it would change/happen, so maybe the same will happen for you. :-)
BTW, LOVE those baby legs. What a cutie!
I'm sure it's completely normal to worry about this sort of thing, but I'm also sure it's normal for him to be taking his time. I think I read somewhere that boys do that kind of thing slower than girls? I don't know, but it sounds good! HAHA :)
Maybe he's just waiting to get up and walk :o). I wish I could give you more advice other than - tummy time. I know you said he hates it but it's about the only sign I've seen towards C crawling.
She's started trying to scoot towards items out of reach. She'll YELL like hell because she's pissed she can't reach them, but after a min or two she'll snake her way to it. Or roll her way there :o)
I'm sorry, were you talking? All I see are these chubby baby legs. I want to eat them. And a tie on a onesie. Sigh.
My little Bean (14 months) did this funny army crawl thing for theeeee longest time, until one day he just crawled like "normal." The same thing goes for sitting up, standing, taking steps, etc. It was like he knew how to do it for weeks and weeks, but didn't want to. Then literally, overnight, he would wake up and do something new! They make up their own little minds when they want to do it:-) Now he's taking a few steps here and there, but he prefers crawling because he can get from point A to point B super fast:-) xoxo
Toby figured out how to army crawl this past weekend and now we're desperately trying to baby proof like woah. The "toy" that got him moving? Our iPhones. Yup, that was the only thing that would get him to inch forward. Now he's all about exploring stuff on his own but I secretly want my non-mobile baby back.
Toby got a lot better with tummy time when he was resting on a stiff bolster pillow - I think it gave him enough height so he could see more around him? Sorry I can't think of any other suggestions :(
I'm sorry you're going through this Jess! It's COMPLETELY normal to worry though. I don't think it's anything to worry about too much but I'm not expert. I personally think Noah is a happy, healthy looking little man and he'll do it when he's ready but obviously address your concerns with your doctor! Keep us posted. :)
My cousin's baby skipped crawling entirely - he also HATED tummy time! and started walking just barely before his first birthday - holding hands only. now he's running around the house unassisted at 15 months! sounds to me like you're doing everything right and there's nothing to worry about!
You're normal. Your kid's normal. It's all normal. As moms we worry. It's our job. Even when everything's perfectly fine and right on track we'll find something to worry about or make something up. Noah is just not interested. When he's ready, he'll do it. You know that. There's nothing you can do to push him. It's God's way of telling us to relax and let them be their own person. He'll probably go from not crawling to running in a week when he's ready and then WATCH OUT!
Of course I realize that nothing we say is going to actually stop you from worrying. I know that. Worrying is what we do!
oh mom don't worry. you're not doing anything wrong, and Noah does not have to be like any other baby. Many kids skip crawling and go straight to walking. Some are just late to get moving. I would talk to your pediatrician about it-maybe he needs a little physical therapy to get going, but I remember learning not worry about kids not crawling/walking until they're past 15 months old.
A great mom worries. It will always be something. I tried to get you in touch with some of my mom friends that had some later walkers. Let's see if they have any advice. Even though it is natural to worry try not to. There is so much amazing help out there. I remember a lot of moms thinking about taking their kids to physical therapy but they all walked on their own I think.
As a mama I totally get this. As a child psychologist I would strongly suggest you bring it up with your doctor at his 12 month visit:-)
I am not so concerned about the walking/crawling as I am about the sitting. It's a super easy motor skill to work on with extra help and such, but since he isn't sitting unassisted he hasn't quite developed the muscles to do the crawling. One needs to happen before the other...
Looks like from the picture that he's putting some weight on his legs so that's good! Sounds like some extra support in terms of occupational/physical therapy will help him strengthen all the right muscles and get him sitting/crawling/walking in no time:-)
Hang in there mama. I know it's so hard not to worry. The doctor should point you in all the right directions, but honestly, my heart is telling me that if the doctor isn't concerned (which some do brush things off easily) about the sitting difficulty I would push him/her for a referral. You can always email me is you have more questions:-)
i'm sorry--i know it's much easier said than done not to worry! i would be worried too, even though i know rationally that of course he's going to be a mover and shaker very soon!
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