Opinions PLEASE!

[mnp88]

My son is seven months old and as I like to say..he is just spoiled.My daughter who is now 3 1/2 had two teeth by four months,holding her bottle by 5 months,crawling by six months and walking at nine months.Now my son is seven months and has not yet gotten any teeth,is not crawling yet and cannot hold his own bottle! It is very frustrating because he is very smart for his age and I feel that he should be doing these things by now.Because he is the baby we really "baby" him and I think that because of that he is not doing these things yet.My mother-in-law says that it is normal and he will do these things when he understands that he needs to,but my mother is really worrying me.She keeps telling me that he is developmentally behind and should see a specialist because he needs to be doing these things by now,that is something that is very hard to hear that from my own mother.So please tell me "is it normal" or should I be concerned??

[eniese]

You definitely can't control when he gets his teeth, and most babies don't get them at 4 months-usually they get their first between 6 and 8 months, so he's still well in the range of normal on that. It sounds like your daughter generally did things fairly early for most babies. Your son is still well within normal ranges on stuff like crawling and teething. Things you should expect him to do by now are sitting independently, rolling both directions, and grasping toys. Some very smart, very normal babies never crawl, don't bother to walk until 15-18 months, and have no interest in feeding themselves until they're older. Learn now not to compare your son and daughter. It will serve you well in the years ahead.

[lindseyh911]

I wouldn't get too excited about what he is or isn't doing. He sounds normal to me, very smart actually. My kids didn't hold their bottles until about 7 months old, because they knew I would do it for them. My kids didn't crawl until 10 1/2 months or walk until 14 months, again because they knew I would carry them. both my boys are now extremely active toddlers who can do for themselves anything that they choose to, but still won't do somethings because they know I'll do it for them. Your son is fine, if you're not convinced of that then ask his peditrician for his/her professional opinion. Your mom means well, but try to remember that she's not a doctor! (she's not, is she??)

[carebear020285]

Soooo Normal. You were just blessed with a very advanced first child. My two are the same way. My first little boy slept through the night from day one (now 4). My now six month old still does not sleep through the night. My oldest had teeth by six months and my baby still has none. Babies do things in their own time. And my 4 year old never, not even one time held his own bottle. The day he turned one year old we took the bottles, threw them away and gave him a sippy cup. My niece was walking at nine months also but her brother did not start until he was almost a year and a half old. Give him time because this is in no way abnormal. It couldn't be more normal.

[MommaC]

He sounds pretty normal to me. These aren't the things that necessarily qualify babies for the "developmentally-delayed" category...do his eyes track you, does he make eye contact, can he roll over, does he coo or babble? Look for the big picture stuff, and even then, don't get too alarmed if he's a tad late. If you do see something that concerns you, ask your doctor...you don't have to run to an early intervention specialist first off. :)

[bestmommyever]

One thing I know for sure is that whats normal for one child isn't necessarily normal for another child. There isn't anything wrong with your child, you obviously can not control when his teeth come in. My neighbors little girl is 15 months old and doesn't have any teeth yet. My neighbor was really concerned that she wasn't going to get teeth and the dentist told her not to worry, that the longer it takes teeth to come in the stronger they are. Try not to let what other people, even your own mother, say affect your judgement. It sounds like you are level headed and you know that there are things you would like to change. This world is so caught up in hurrying development along, just remember that these moments are precious and there is no need to hurry the process along. Most developmental delays don't even start showing until 18 months. If you are concerned, talk with your child's doctor, they'll know what to look for. Or check out http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/devmile.htm and you can follow your childs development there.

[dwhite784]

I don't agree that your child is behind. My daughter is 7 months old and she got her first tooth at 6months, sitting up well at 6-7 months, not crawling, not holding a bottle or sippy cup. I agree with your mother-in-law. Your son will do things when he is ready. I think the more you fuss over it, the longer it will take. I know I spoil my daughter and I don't care. My pediatrician said it is my child and I can do whatever I want. Ask your pediatrician. No need for a specialist. Children develop at different ages. That is why there is a time phrame in development. My 15 year old daughter got her first two teeth at 3 months, sat up at 5 months, crawled by 7 months and walked by 11 months. I could go on with the difference of children. My neice and nephew didn't walk until they were 15 and 16 months old. They are 2 & 5 and nothing is wrong with them. I would tell my mother, thank you for your concerns, I will speak with the pediatrician about it. Things change over the years of how kids develop and what they encourage to do with children. I fed my 15 year old solids at 4 months, now they recomend 6 months, I gave her cows milk at 6 months, it is forbidden until at least a year old. My mom did things alot differently with me and my siblings as well. I wouldn't be discouraged until my pediatrician told me to be.

[jenn_0629]

So, my son is seven months old right now. He is just now learning to do these things. He has been holding his bottle for about a month, but we have practiced it with him since he was 5mo. He is just learning to crawl (as in..yesterday!!!! Awesome.) but I would not say he will be walking by nine. I would say your daughter was a bit ahead for her age, but your son is right on track. Mine has half a tooth in right now, just one. Do not be worried! Do not be worried, I can say that as many times as you need me to to make you feel assured. :D He is fine, right on track. I would just try practicing as much as possible.