My 6 1/2 month old is showing no signs of mobility. Should I worry?

Question

My son is not showing any signs of wanting to crawl, scoot, roll, etc. to get around. He can roll from his back to his tummy, but all he does is the "sky diver" routine and then gets frustrated. He sits up as long as he is supported, but he just shows no desire to move around. Is this something I should be concerned about? He just saw his doctor and everything was fine, but I didn't address this issue because I didn't realize a problem until now. Please dont joke about this. I need some encouraging answers. Thank you!

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry about it...especially if the doctor isn't. As a daycare teacher, I've worked with little ones for many years, including infants, and have watched them progress at many different rates. Honestly...I've seen babies this age who couldn't even roll over, and within a few months, they had caught up with their peers.
It sounds like you are giving him plenty of "tummy time" which is the best thing you can do.
You've probably heard from your parents that you were doing much more at that age....here's a lot of the reason for that. Even as recent as 16 years ago, the doctors said to put your baby to sleep on his tummy. Then, about 15 years ago, the "back to sleep" idea came along as a way to help prevent SIDS. So, now babies spend all their sleeping time, at least half their life, lying flat on their backs. This can cause slightly slower development of motor skills. But that's okay...all babies are in the same boat now a days. Back in the old days, baby could exercise his upper body during the night and anytime he woke up. They learned to lift their heads and pull their chests up. Now...those opportunities are limited to when the parent puts them on their tummies. So inevitably..it takes more time to accomplish. Just keep providing tummy time as often as possible. You can also try placing toys slightly out of his reach so he has to work for them. But don't do it to the point of frustration....make sure it's always an attainable goal, even if that means inching the toy closer.
It sounds like you are the type of parent who is very clued in to your child's development, so if there is a problem you will surely catch it in time to get the help needed. Your baby is very lucky to have parents who care so much!

Answer 2

This is stressful. As parents we look at our kids and compare them to other kids and what people say our kids "should" be doing. Your son is more than likely fine. The fact that he does the "sky diver" routine shows that he is mobil. He is just taking his time. All kids have their own time frame for things. If your baby still isn't moving in a few weeks call your doctor. If you feel you can't wait that long call the doctor tomorrow and get some reassurance. I have been working with children many years I have seen kids who never crawl- they would roll themselves from place to place...I have seen kids that wait until they are 18 months to take a first step. But I have also seen all these kids catch up to their peers in rapid time. Your son is fine. He is just taking his time. Enjoy it, and take this time to baby proof your house :) Cause once he gets going there will be no stopping him :) Hope this helps

Answer 3

Please stop worrying. No 2 babies are the same except that they develop in fits & starts at THEIR OWN PACE. Sometimes they'll skip a stage & sometimes they'll stay at a stage for what seems ages. My first son never crawled he waited like yours is & then was totally focused on getting onto his feet.
It sounds to me that you are doing everythng right - caring, talkng & playing with him. Rolling from back to tummy is the first step to crawling.
There a various play things that can help him develop his muscle tone as well as amusing him - have a look what they've got in the toyshops.
It's important not to get over anxious or try too hard to push him along That could harm him.
Just accept him as he is - throughout his life always give him plenty of encouragement & praise when he does well & he'll go far.

Answer 4

my son is also 6 1/2 months and just starting sitting up alone, he however only rolls over from tummy to back once in a while and rarely rolls from back to tummy. he knows how to get up on his side but then gives up. when he first sat there he would just lean forward and then throw him self back a i sat there with him and just held my hand on his back firmly so he couldn't go back and it worked within a week. like everyone said all babies r different i have a six yr daughter who was sitting up and rolling over at 4months she starting walking at 10 months and never crawled. i think boys are a lot lazier. he will get it if he doesn't by at least 7 months i would definitely say something. just don't get frustrated. my son seems to give up to easily and is very impatient.

Answer 5

1. Each child goes at a different rate my daughter did not start crawling until her first B-Day, but did roll all over the place!
2. How much does your baby weigh? He might be heavy!
3. Please address the issue to your pediatrician and insist in it and seek various opinions not just one remember is your baby and many doctors by pass a lot of things!

Answer 6

Babies are much like all of us. Everyone does things on a differernt level and speed. I don't think it is a problem that your baby is not off to start the race...some babies don't crawl at all they just get up and walk when they are ready. As long as your baby is able to hold his head up on his own and is displaying good movement with his head (can look side to side) then I wouldn't worry. Does he seem to try to look for objects and grab at them when he is lying on his back? Like a mobile over the crib? I am sure your baby is fine and healthy. Check in with your doctor though. Never be timmid on calling the doctor once you have left, just to ease your mind~that is why he / she is your doctor. You pay them to answer your questions and if they seem adgitated by your call find another doctor. Good luck...I'm sure your little one is just fine!

Answer 7

I think he is fine. I have two boys. One sat up alone at 5 1/2 to 6months old and was crawling a second after. The other one really only started sitting alone around 71/2 months old. They develop differently. As long as he responds to you and is developing in other areas he will catch up in this area.

Answer 8

According to "What to Expect in the First Year," by the end of the sixth month, your child should be able to keep head level with body when puuled up, will probably be able to bear some weight on legs when held up and sit without support. Everything else is "possibly be able to." If you are concerned, call your dr even though it isn't time for a visit...the nurses line will be happy to talk to you about your child's progress! In the meantime, strenghten your baby's muscles by playing stand up games (1,2,3, up), sitting him between your legs on the floor and playing with a toy in between his legs, playing with toys out of his reach, give him plenty of floor time, roll a ball back & forth to another person with him tween your legs and holding his hands to make him push the ball, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Give him plenty of tummy time. Some babies are born with poor muscle tone, just need a little more time than other babies to accomplish the same thing. My oldest dd was sitting at 5 1/2 months, crawling at six months and walking at one year. My youngest dd (but of course, she was 6.5wks premature) did roll till she was 5months, didn't sit till 8mths., didn't walk till 18mths. and did not crawl till she was, ready......20mths. The only side effect of her early birth was low muscle tone. She went through
OT (Occupational Therapy for 16mths.) So, it could be he muscle tone is just a little lax. If his doc. isn't worried, I wouldn't worry too much.

Answer 10

If you are really concerned, call your local public school and ask for your son to be referred for testing through the school district. All kids are entitled to services, they CAN NOT refuse you. I did this with my daughter who didn't crawl till 14 months and didn't walk till more than 18 months. Do it now, it won't hurt and it might help and one way or the other it will put your mind at ease. It took three months from my first phone call till my daughter's first actual physical therapy session, so you really need to call TOMORROW. Like I said, start with your local elementary school, they should be able to head you down the right path.