Nervous about 9 month check up

[wannabmomof3]

Today was DD2 9 month check up. She's only 16 pounds and 26 inches long. They didn't tell me the percentile and I forgot to ask but last month it was like 22%. She isn't standing on her own yet. Not pulling herself up. Not even trying to. Dr wants to set up an appointment with Easter Seals to do some strengthening exercises and so they can take a look at her.
She is babbling- mumumumumummm, dadadadada, doy doy doy that sorta stuff. She's waves a little bit-her hand motions. She understands how to kiss (open mouth of course but she leans in and opens). What do you think? Should I be concerned? She doesn't eat table food at all (no interest) although I do offer her a lot. Doesn't like none of the baby melts, puffs, or anything. She does like the stage 2 and 3 foods though. Not stage 1.
I've always referred to her as my "baby baby" because she's developed a lot slower than my other two-size from birth and up, eating, milestones:crawling, pulling themselves up, etc. Everything is slower so I'm not sure what to expect. She doesn't crawl on her hands and needs, rather she army crawls. She gets on her hands and knees and rocks though. She has trouble getting from on her belly to sitting. She sits but it's like she twists to get up so one leg is in the sit position and the other leg is bent backwards. Not sure if that makes sense. Should I be worried?

[runningmomofmany]

I don't think so. She sounds about the same size my girl was at 9m. She went from the army crawl to hands and knees around 10m (we went camping and she didn't like the feel of the grass on her tummy, lol) And I know some 10m old babies who aren't even trying to move around yet. It sounds like she is on track developmentally if she can sit unsupported and is mobile.

[wannabmomof3]

I don't think so. She sounds about the same size my girl was at 9m. She went from the army crawl to hands and knees around 10m (we went camping and she didn't like the feel of the grass on her tummy, lol) And I know some 10m old babies who aren't even trying to move around yet. It sounds like she is on track developmentally if she can sit unsupported and is mobile.

Thank you. I think the whole mentioning of Easter Seals threw me. Now I'm worried. DD2 was always small. She was 7.1 lbs at birth compared to my 2 9lb ers. Developed at a slower rate then them too. So I've always been nervous. But dr seems concerned she isn't holding herself up.

[kellyowens]

I thought 9months was on the early end of pulling up and standing?? As far as size goes she sounds perfect! Has she dropped percentiles since her 6month check-up?

(((Hugs)))! I'm sorry you have this worry . I'd want more clarity on why she needs the Easter Seals referral.

[BrandiB]

I would not be worried about weight. My daughter is nearly 13 months and at her 12 month well child check 2 weeks ago weighed 16lbs 14oz. I also dont think I would be worrying about her not pulling herself up. I dont think my daughter did that until right around that age. Good luck and dont worry!

[wannabmomof3]

I thought 9months was on the early end of pulling up and standing?? As far as size goes she sounds perfect! Has she dropped percentiles since her 6month check-up?

(((Hugs)))! I'm sorry you have this worry . I'd want more clarity on why she needs the Easter Seals referral.

She did go up from 20% to 30%. And Dr said they could give us some exercises for her to do to strengthen her legs. Is Easter Seals necessary? I'm not entirely comfortable with letting random people into my home, either. She said they have an office or they can visit at home.

[preciousnd98]

I agree with the others. DD was also just under 17 lbs at her 1 year appt. I don't remember much about the pulling up, but her first steps were right around 1 and I feel like it was very quick from when she would pull herself up to stand to when she took those first steps.

If you are able to get the evaluation, it might not hurt to have it done. It might just give you peace of mind. When DD was born, our pedi was concerned about her flat head and that she didn't turn her head all the way to one side. We went to 2 physical therapy appts where it was pretty apparent to me that she was okay (she was about 7 months old and they only wanted to see her once a month). When I told her pedi I wasn't going to the PT appts anymore, he agreed with my decision. I think sometimes doctors suggest the evaluations so they can cover themselves just in case there is some kind of delay/issue that could have been corrected early on.

I also seem to remember my sister's third child doing things later than the first two, mostly because her siblings would do things for her so she just didn't have a need and so she didn't even try until she was a bit older...

[curlyjenna7]

I wouldn't be worried. B is 9.5m old and he isn't crawling or pulling himself up to stand. He doesn't get on all fours. He cannot get to a sitting position from his belly. Both of my girls could do all that by 9 months old. His pedi said some babies are just "lazy" and not to worry too much. B has PT every week since 4m due to torticollis and even, she the PT, said not to be concerned yet.

[curlyjenna7]

Agreed. My girls do everything for B. he just has to sit and they bring all of his toys to him.

I agree with the others. DD was also just under 17 lbs at her 1 year appt. I don't remember much about the pulling up, but her first steps were right around 1 and I feel like it was very quick from when she would pull herself up to stand to when she took those first steps.

If you are able to get the evaluation, it might not hurt to have it done. It might just give you peace of mind. When DD was born, our pedi was concerned about her flat head and that she didn't turn her head all the way to one side. We went to 2 physical therapy appts where it was pretty apparent to me that she was okay (she was about 7 months old and they only wanted to see her once a month). When I told her pedi I wasn't going to the PT appts anymore, he agreed with my decision. I think sometimes doctors suggest the evaluations so they can cover themselves just in case there is some kind of delay/issue that could have been corrected early on.

I also seem to remember my sister's third child doing things later than the first two, mostly because her siblings would do things for her so she just didn't have a need and so she didn't even try until she was a bit older...

[mla]

I could have written this post about Elena. Well, almost. She'll be 10 months next week. She had her 9 month check last week (we're late on these for some reason), and she weighs less than 17lbs (10th percentile weight, 50th height). She's not crawling at all -- not even army crawling. Not getting up on all fours. Not pulling up to standing, though she can stand holding while holding my hands. She can sit upright on her own no problem (though she doesn't get there on her own), is babbling pretty well, and is very content.

I compare her to her twin brother, who who weighs 3lbs more than her, crawls like a pro, pulls up and is starting to cruise, babbles a TON, and is all around ahead of her in his physical development. And it worries me.

Here's what my doc said. He's not worried about the crawling -- some babies don't ever crawl. They army crawl or go straight to walking or do some sort of scooting. Her growth is fine. He said that if she's not willingly pulling up to standing and trying to cruise by her 12 month check up, he'll want to get us in touch w/a developmental specialist because then she'll be considered late. So, I just keep telling her she has 2 months to get to it.

I think her contented nature also adds to this. Her brother has always been kind of fussy and unhappy. Now that he can crawl he's a happy little baby. She just doesn't seem motivated. She's happy to sit in one spot and watch her brothers.

[hotpinkmomma0811]

If she has always followed the growth % tile from the get - go don't worry too much about her ht and wt. Sophia has been from the 1-3% tile for ht and wt since she was a couple of months old. She started on the >5% and went up to 1% tile within a couple of month at birth. At her last appointment she was sick with a cold but, weighted just under 16 lbs or right at 16 lbs according to the WIC office and I think 26 ish inches tall. Tiny but, her normal! She has been walking along the furniture since she was 11 months but, is still very hesitate to take steps. We practice and we are about to see if we can go through 1st Steps agency for her walking. Anyways, if the pediatrician is wanting you to go to the Easter Seals don't worry about it as they will help you, help her KWIM? A lot of kids need an extra boost and to me isn't nothing to be ashamed about IMO. GL!

[wannabmomof3]

Thanks everyone for the support and advice. Easter Seals will be contacting me within the week. Ill keep everyone posted.

[Racegirl766k]

What you describing is pretty much what the girls are doing and they are pretty much the same exact age. We just had a visit with the dev. specialist last week due to them being preemie, and she said they are exactly where they should be for 9 months old. HTH!

[babybluesash]

I wouldn't be worried about the whole Easter Seals, she can be evaluated by a real therapist and they will be able to tell you more/if she really needs PT/OT. That stuff is normally free and I would take it and not worry, she could just be a slow bloomer. We have in home services for 2 1/2 yrs for my son, they help you with everything your child needs developmentally and then you follow through at home, which makes a difference.

[Pangie]

I wouldn't be worried. DS2 was slower than DS1 with things as well. He army crawled all the time and didn't crawl on all fours till he was about 10 months old, and didnt walk till he was 13 months old. They just go at their own pace. I expected him to go quicker because he had an older brother, so I was a little concerned when he was developing slower, but he's 15 months now and fine.

[babybluesash]

I wouldn't be worried about the whole Easter Seals, she can be evaluated by a real therapist and they will be able to tell you more/if she really needs PT/OT. That stuff is normally free and I would take it and not worry, she could just be a slow bloomer. We have in home services for 2 1/2 yrs for my son, they help you with everything your child needs developmentally and then you follow through at home, which makes a difference.