Need help and guidance about my sons behavior

[Anxiousmam]

Hello everyone!

I had a beautiful baby boy amidst this COVID chaos on may 11,2020. He is my first baby and I am trying to take care of him by self with no help and on top of that I started working since 3 months ago. I am very much anxious about my sons behavior. Can you some one please let me know if this is a sign of autism ? Like I spend hours and hours researching google and more I research the more anxious I become.

1. he is currently 6 months old and he started to scratch the surfaces around him with just one hand primarily I guess
2. He met all the milestones so far but the most concerning thing I have is he some times respond to his name and sometimes he does not . It’s driving me crazy.This is the biggest concern I have
3. He smiles every time we smile and sometimes by himself.his eye contact is okay. He looks at us when I sing or dance or make funny faces or play peekaboo or talk to him but does not stare at me like other new borns etc. I have a feeling that it’s not come to him easily the eye contact thing. It feels like I have to struggle to make him to do that by talking or doing something.
I feel so anxious and depressed.

can someone let me know if this normal behavior.

thanks and much appreciated .

anxious mama

 

[Anxiousmam]

One more thing I forgot to mention is his obsession with putting things in mouth and chewing them non stop.the doctor checked and notified us that he does not think he is teething yet. I know all kids bring stuff to their mouth to explore but my son is obsessed.again I do not know if this is normal.

 

[Reiko_ctu]

My first one was a huge mouther... putting stuff in her mouth till she was 3.5. She does definitely have anxiety... not sure in babies if any of these things you’ve noted really mean much. My only idea is to see a dr if you’re concerned try and relax a bit because there’s always something to worry about with little ones!!

 

[Anxiousmam]

thank you so much for the reply. This is the first time I ever posted a question in any of the threads online. I really needed someone to talk to. My doc usually goes my wait and see approach . 6 month baby is too young for them to diagnose anything I guess.

 

[Bevziibubble]

Hi and welcome to BabyandBump

It's totally normal for them to put things in their mouths. It's a huge sensory experience for them and it's how they explore things at that age. If mine ever had any something in their hand it would immediately go into their mouth whatever it was!

 

[Anxiousmam]

Thank you so much bevziibubble . I appreciate it. One more thing I noticed is he likes to look at the inner sides of the stroller which has the huge disclaimer section written in words I find it so weird . I usually cover that section with a cloth and only then he explores the outside world. Every small thing I am analyzing with a magnifying glass I guess . He is my first child and I have no reference to on what is normal and what is not .

 

[Bevziibubble]

That can be normal too. He might be tired at the time and the outside world might be too stimulating so he's focusing on something that's calmer.

 

[Anxiousmam]

You guys are rockstars. You guys have no idea how much you are helping distress people like me. Love you all beautiful sisters

 

[Sander]

Congrats on your little boy!

I worried about my son when he was that little too - the thing is, different babies focus on different things. My son never learned to point! Apparently it’s a big indication of autism, but he just never did it. He was also slow to talk, and never responded to his name. His eye contact was ok, but he would play with toys and not respond if I called him etc. I worried about this right up until he turned 2. Then he just caught up all of a sudden. Started talking, responded to his name, and he’s a totally typical 2.5yr old now - I don’t worry about him at all anymore.

My second is hitting all his social milestones - points and gabs and he’s only 13 months. Responds to his name perfectly.

Every kid is different and especially at only 6 months - your little guy is learning new things every day. He will do things tomorrow he couldn’t do today, it’s amazing. I know it’s hard, but I would try and put it out of your mind for now. No doctor will assess him for autism at such a young age. Wait until he’s a year old, and if he’s not hitting multiple milestones - tell your doctor you want an assessment. They have long waiting lists and you’ll want him seen by 18 months.

Having said that, you most likely won’t even need to ask for an assessment because by the time he’s a year old he could very well be doing all of the things he’s not doing yet!

 

[Anxiousmam]

@Sander : can I hug you ?? Suddenly I feel a big weight has been lift off from my shoulders. I know I will keep an eye on his milestones but wanted some one to talk to and assure me it was okay and even if it’s not , tell me that there is help. I constantly have this fear on my in laws judging me. Every time they call to talk to us and see their grandson my heart runs . I live in constant fear. They are very nice people but I don’t know I have this anxiety.