[Oreobaby]

I don't know if it's the fact that Rayanne was flat when she was born, or if it's because I used to be a SNA (special needs assistant) in a school...or just because I'm a mom, I worry about Rayanne's development. And since I haven't had a kid before, I don't know what is normal and what isn't.

For example...she doesn't babble ALL the time like some kids...she has moments, when she feels like talking and will talk lots, but lots of times, she doesn't. She has laughed, and some days more than others, but there are some days I can't get a laugh out of her at all. She rolled over for the first time on Monday, and I've tried every day since then, and she gets frustrated way before she rolls over (she tries, but just can't do it)

I guess I just thought that once she started doing stuff, she would keep doing it...is this normal? How has your childs development gone?

[MommaLee]

If she is consistent in what she does, then I'd probably say it is normal. Julie doesn't roll over either BUT it is really our fault in a way. We are both back at work, so when she is home with us, she wants to be carried especially by me. She doesn't want to do tummy time and so we don't really force it. We've seen her roll a few times so we KNOW she can do it.

All babies are different, so just as long as she is in the range...I don't think you have a problem. Now when the new year rolls around and if she still seems like she is not progressing since 4 months, then I think you maybe talk to someone but she is still really young and I know maybe with all the posts in some of the forums about teeth, rolling, sitting up, etc. it may make you feel like she is delayed but she probably right on track. I seem to read so many posts in other forums about "my baby was the first to crawl and now is the last to walk" type posts. I think it is normal to over-analyze a situation when there is none - I'm definitely guilty of that sometimes.

[fromustobaby]

Babies are very very different...
Kaiden hardly babbles at all, and he is much older than Rayanne, most of the kids in our playgroup are 9-11 months and only baqbble half the time...

Kaiden didnt laugh at all until almost 5 months (that was the first time!),,,didn't smile at all till 2 months, and only in the last month started smiling more often...LOL...babbling is a 9 month milestone...Ray is just fine

[jbhonea]

Try not to compare your lo to others. I know it's tempting, but it will just drive you insane with worry.

Lilah is not as advanced in her speech compared to some babies in our PR, but she is cruising and attempting to stand unassisted, while others haven't started crawling yet.

It just depends on each baby seperatley.

[Sam914]

I know its hard but try not too! I've also noticed in a lot of PR's parents exaggerate... Oh my LO can sit up! yet its literally only for two seconds before they fall over... Heck, some babies in my PR are pulling up and getting ready to walk already i wouldnt necessarily believe them but sometimes they post pics, lol.

M is pretty average, he rolls and babbles and is working on sitting up and army crawling. I think for some reason parents, especially first time parents like us are anxious to get on to the next stage when we should just appreciate what they ARE doing. I admit, i'm one of these people... i would like for M to be like the other babies in his PR who can sit and crawl, but i'm not going to freak out about it and i know he's not "behind" at all... I see it this way, some babies learn things fast while others are slower, thats how they get an average

ETA - i go by this chart and M is basically on point with what they say for each month.
Baby's first year: Developmental milestones - iVillage

[Elijah'sMommy]

I know it is hard to not to analyze every aspect of development, especially after working with special needs kids (I'm a speech pathologist and I have to make a sincere effort not to analyze Eli's babble, jargon, and feeding/swallowing skills). Every child reaches milestone differently and may have a strength in one and not another (i.e., gross/fine motor skills, speech). It's hard not to compare your child to others, especially on message boards. Just try to enjoy those milestones rather than worrying if she is behind others.

[Oreobaby]

I guess I just thought I would check to see if it was normal that your LO would do something one day, and not do it the next day. I have been trying really hard not to compare her to others. It's tough, like you said Lynda, especially when we have worked with Special Needs kids...it just somehow always brings it to the forefront of your mind.

[karenwalter]

I agree with the not worrying thing. Kids do things so differently. And, when you're on a board like this and other kids the same age are doing things your child cannot it's really hard not to worry if they're behind. You just have to keep in mind that babies progress differently and eventually they will catch up.

Connor didn't consistantly roll over for a long time. Most of the time he'd get frustrated like Rayanne. But, now rolling is no problem. He also didn't start crawling until after he was 8 months old, where some babies were already walking in my PR! But, he's a normal kid.

I say trust your pedi. If they're not worried then you shouldn't be. Unless she is way behind - like not sitting unassisted by 9 months or not babbling at all, then try to relax and just figure that by the time she starts school she'll be right on track.

[MommyPoky]

Josie does the same thing with rolling. I know she can roll tummy to back, because I've seen her very deliberately put her arm out in front of her and roll over a few times. Most of the time she just gets mad on her tummy and when she's mad, she can't think about how to roll. She also used to squeal a lot, like all day, and then she quit doing it altogether...though she did a little last night and this morning. It makes me wonder too, because I also thought once they did something they would keep doing it. The only thing she does consistently is put stuff in her mouth lol

[Oreobaby]

Originally Posted by MommyPoky

The only thing she does consistently is put stuff in her mouth lol

Rayanne does that one consistently too!! LOL especially her hands.