Anyone been told LO is behind in gross motor development?

cynthia2007

Had 9month appt today. She's had a stomach bug for few days, lots of poop explosions but pedi said to let it ride its course out of her. He wants her to see a physical therapist bc she's behind in gross motor development. Pedi said he wasn't majorly concerned but did want to refer us for evaluation. She doesn't crawl or scoot around, hates tummy time (will get 10-15min if watching a baby cartoon), does not pull herself up or get to seated position by herself. She can stay seated when I put her there like a champ but doesn't get there on her own. No crawling, she's just now starting to really lean way forward for things and has been doing a lot of rocking back and forth. She can stand and use her legs but can't stand on her own. She's a chunky baby so we just assumed it was that and pedi says that plays into it but still.

Anyone else experiencing this? I'm a wreck of course. I try really hard to practice standing, tummy time etc with her but she's in daycare during the day.

chelsmcl

Yep, but my pedi wasn't concerned about it, she's ahead in fine motor skills. Crawling isn't even a milestone.

RIngReady

Crawling, pulling to stand, and moving into functional positions (sit to tummy or laying to sitting) are not developmental milestones. They all do have their 'typical age of acquisition', but all children are different.  At this point in time I would spend my time thinking most about helping DD alternate her positions-go from laying to sitting and vice versa. 

Put her toys just out of reach while she is sitting and when she leans forward to grab them help her move her body into laying. When she wants to sit, help her transition into sitting by using her arms to help her rotate over her leg (hope that makes sense).  Sometimes kids just need to be shown how to move their body into the positions they want to be in and after a few days she might  be doing it independently. 

I would also have her sit with her legs in L's (think about how you would sit on the floor in school if you had a skirt on) Its a very functional position for promoting movement. 

A PT eval is painless, and pretty easy. It would probably make you feel better just to get it done, but I wouldn't worry about it either.

ETA: I'm an OT working in a pediatric setting

PinkPuffyHeart2

We are seeing a PT starting next week for the same reasons. Gross motor is the only area my LO is delayed. It costs us nothing but time for the PT to come, and for me, it gives me peace of mind to know that I am helping my baby develop in the best way she can. She will get there eventually on her own, but having a professional address her specific problem areas will get her there faster, so she can explore the world the same way most other babies are. If you aren't worried, there is nothing wrong with waiting it out. But if you seek help, there is also nothing wrong with that. gl.

needanustart

I ended up with a July baby so our appointment is in 3 weeks. That being said, Lo is exactly the same as your baby and I am guessing the ped won't be worried. Not that I'm saying he's careless, he's just pretty laid back about development unless the parent is worried (and I'm not).
DS1 was scaling the walls by now and that scared me more!

cynthia2007

Thanks ladies. I feel better reading your comments about your LOs. FTM fears of not doing something right or enough is what made me wait so long to have LO in the first place!!! @RingReady, thank you. I have not been doing these things so I will definitely start on your suggestions!!!

HeartLikeMine3

We just left our 9 month appointment. LO was 9 months on the 6th and he isn't crawling or pulling up. Our pedi wasn't concerned at all but said if I was overly worried I could call for a PT eval if I don't notice an improvement between now and the 1 year appointment. I may call in a month or so if he's not progressing. But I feel like he will crawl soon. I wouldn't get overly concerned or upset just follow your gut.

jlml2008

My little guy is at the same place your LO is and my pedi said she wasn't concerned at all. His fine motor skills and talking it way beyond his age so she said we would give it a another few months before worrying or doing anything. DD didn't crawl till 10 months so I figure DS will probably start in the next month or so

jennOK

My LO is right where your baby is. I'm slightly worried, but I'm a FTM too. He was 9 months yesterday. His appointment is tomorrow. I guess I'll see what the doctor says.

LO doesn't care much for tummy time either. I think that has led to him not having a lot of upper body strength. He can push up on his arms and get up on his knees, but he only does one at a time. He hasn't figured out how to put them together yet to get in a crawling position.