8 month old development?!

[Miwi]

Hi ladies,
My 8 month old isn't rolling, crawling, or moving in anyway and I'm not sure if I should be concerned at this stage or not? She can sit unaided (for about 3/4 weeks now) and is interested in the world around her to an extent but surely she should be able to at least roll by now? We have the HV out next month so I wanted to brace myself for her saying she has some kind of delay or getting told off as she will be 9 months then
I've tried everything I can think of, putting toys out of reach, tummy time (which she hates), play mats (which she also hates), we have a walker (isn't fussed) and I lift her onto all fours etc, hold her hands to encourage her to pull up but nothing seems to help. I'm fully aware that all babies develop differently and I'm more than happy to take things at her pace, just wondered if I should be worried when I'm being quite laid back about it! I'd really appreciate some input

 

[Rurin]

I'm no expert but I know people who have kids who never rolled or never crawled but walked at 9 months! I would try not to worry and see how she goes. There seems to be a wide range of normal in these things.

My twins are nearly 8 months and they are developing at quite a different pace, my baby girl had been doing lots of things first. In a way it's comforting to see them side by side as I'm doing the same things with both and they are just different!

 

[_Meep_]

Can she weight bear on her legs? Apparently that's more important than anything - but not doing so at this age is also within the realms of normal.

I know of lots of babies who never did anything until they walked - my own sister was one (now a successful thirty-something with two children - she can't drive a car, but she walks everywhere just fine lol).

 

[RosieRosieP]

My DD rolled this week for the first time now refuses to do again. She hasn't shown any interest whatsoever until now as she much prefers being stood up holding my hands

Try not too worry (not always easy I know) all babies are different and as a PP mentioned she may just get up and walk and miss the other bits out x

 

[TTC First]

I am sure you are going it already but I would just recommend giving as much floor time as possible. I care for infants and as soon as they are about 5 months, I try to keep them on the floor to promote them moving as much as possible.

I am sure your home visitor will have more advice for you. Just don't stress about the visit, you are doing everything that you can for your lo.

 

[minties]

My daughter was 9 months when she rolled and crawled. She was off walking at 11 months .

 

[Button#]

It's much too early to start worrying. My LO never bothered with rolling and only learned to crawl when he was 11 months, which was after he'd already taken a couple of steps. My DS went straight to cruising to get around instead. Your HV won't be concerned at 9 months as long as things are moving in the right direction.

 

[SarahBear]

As other have said, some don't roll, so it's too early to be worried. It's a good sign that your baby is sitting though.

 

[MindUtopia]

The fact she's sitting is a good sign, so I probably wouldn't be too worried. My daughter rolled at 3 months, then nothing, then again a bit at 5 months, then didn't really do it again. But we did spend a lot of time on her tummy on the mat from maybe 6 months as she was really happy there. I wouldn't be concerned about the rolling, some just don't do it, but she's obviously strong enough to sit up unaided, so that's really good. More than likely if you say she doesn't like tummy time, she probably just hasn't had the chance to do much practice at rolling or pushing up. I would probably try to find ways that she is more comfortable being on the floor, as it means she has lots of time to practice. You might even consider taking her to a chiropractor or osteopath to rule out that she's in any discomfort in that position. But really, I think it's just down to time practicing and maybe she just hasn't been happy to spend much time practicing yet.

 

[SarahBear]

Oh, and I honestly wouldn't worry about tummy time. She has the core strength needed to sit and from there will develop the strength to do everything else. I don't do tummy time with my kids and my 2 month old can hold his head up unsupported while in an upright position. He is clearly building strength and I won't be pushing tummy time at all. I stick him on his tummy occasionally to see what he does or thinks, but that's it. I was the same with Violet and she crawled and sat at about 7.5 months, learned to get into a seated position independently at 8 months, started taking steps without support at 10.5 months and was walking (although fell a lot) at 11 months. She was running all over the place at her birthday party at a year. Tummy time is just to counter the practice of strapping babies into things like carseats all the time. Give your baby freedom of movement and she will develop just fine without special "tummy time." Of course if you wish to continue tummy time, that's fine; it just won't do your baby any harm to stop doing it.

 

[MrsPear]

My daughter couldn't roll or crawl or stand at that age. She crawled 2 days before her first birthday and couldn't weight bear until 14.5 months. She didn't walk until 21 months. It's worth talking to the hv but it's definitely too early to be too concerned.

It's more important to monitor core strength and improvement over time. Like can she hold her head up on her tummy better than she could this time last month? Does she get better coordination over time? What is her muscle tone like? When I took my daughter to a hospital appointment at ten months (for poor weight gain) those were the questions they asked.

Now my daughter is nearly 3 and was jumping happily on the trampoline at soft play today, no problems and she's still a little cautious but nothing you'd be able to say oh yes she must have been a bit late with her physical milestones x