9.5 month old not mobile

**bitterpure** · 21-07-2011 22:50

DS is 9.5 months and has been sitting up on his own since 6.5 months. Until recently he has been quite happy to sit and play with various toys within his reach for as long as I let him. He now seems to be getting increasingly frustrated when he can't reach toys or when I walk away from him. He tries to lurch himself forward doing a 'bum shuffle' but never manages to go anywhere. The harder he tries to move, the more frustrated and upset he gets so I end up picking him up just to calm him down.

I try to give him regular tummy time but he's never been a fan of it. If I lie down with him and show him various toys and keep him entertained he'll be okay for awhile, but soon gets cranky if he spots a toy he can't reach (Isometimes will deliberately put a toy just a bit in front of him to encourage him to move forward). He can push his front right up but is yet to pull his knees in and put his bottom up in order to actually crawl.

I try not to worry especially since I know that crawling is no longer an 'official' milestone given that some babies skip it altogether and go straight to walking. DS has never been advanced in terms of gross motor skills, he was late to bear weight on his legs (6 months) and I ended up getting his hips x-rayed just before that to check if there was any problem (there wasn't... he stood up perfectly on my lap the day after the x-ray...!) He's also not pulling himself up yet from lying to sitting or sitting to standing. He's been able to roll since 4 months but doesn't do it a lot.

I do think that DS is probably a bit more advanced in other areas such as language (babbles a lot and can clearly say mama, dada and duck!) but I still worry when I see babies 2-3 months younger than him crawling and pulling themselves up etc...!

I'm thinking I'll give it another few weeks before checking with a Dr but keen to hear others thoughts and experiences...? Is there anything I should do to help or encourage him?Or is it something he'll just need to figure out on his own?

**amesv** · 22-07-2011 08:04

My DS2 is 9.5 months and only started crawling 2 weeks ago, I wasn't worried but I was keen for him to start because I think he was getting quite bored although I was glad (is that selfish) that he was on the older side because DS1 was crawling at 4 months! so I didn't get much baby time and obviously it's a bit easier when they stay in the same spot

I know of two bubs that weren't crawling at 1 and there was nothing wrong, 1 is a happy toddler now running around like all his friends and not sure if the other one is crawling yet.

I say enjoy this time when DS can't get into everything before you know it he will be crawling or walking.

**Von Zipper** · 22-07-2011 08:28

I don't have anything to worry about yet. My DS is 14.5 months old and not crawling (he commando crawls) and last night was the first time he pulled himself up on to his knees by holding on to something. He also doesn't like to bear weight on his legs.

I was concerned at 11 months, enough to take him to a pediatric physio, and we were given strengthening exercises which helped, but I was also told that they wouldn't be really concerned unless he wasn't walking by two, and I really think he will be doing that based on his progress so far.

**bellalika** · 22-07-2011 09:09

My first son was 10.5 months old when he crawled. His brother was 11.5 months. DS1 walked at 18 months. DS2 (15 months) is cruising but that is it. They all get there in their own time. We needed to take DS2 to a pediatric chiro as he hated tummy time and it turned out he had a twist in his shoulder and elbow. I still think he wouldn't have crawled until at least 10 months.

**Feathers** · 22-07-2011 21:04

DD1 didnt crawl until into the 10th month. She started pulling herself up around 12 months and walked at 15 months. On the other hand, she could count to 10 at 18 months, and recite the alphabet at 24 months

She's 3 in November, and watching her with other kids her age, their gross motor skills are all on the same level.

I know it's horrible seeing them get frustrated, I really wouldnt worry. I think he needs to figure it out on his own. Try not to give in to his frustrations and encourage him to reach out for things by himself

**cindye** · 22-07-2011 21:20

My DD hadn't even ROLLED at 11 months and then in 2 weeks started rolling, crawling and pulling herself up on the furniture.
She walked at 14 months.
If you are concerned see someone about it, but if he's weight bearing that's a good sign.

**AllYouNeedIsLove** · 23-07-2011 09:02

Just a comment on the skipping crawling and going straight to walking, crawling is actually a very important milestone as it teaches children cross patterning (using one arm and opposite leg) and also assists with hand eye co-ordination which is essential for your child to be able to read words from the left to right of the page. Children should be encouraged to crawl for 200+ hours. You can try leaning him over a ball and rocking it forward and back to teach him about the momentum needed for crawling, or swimming is another great activity to show him how to move his body.
But I am sure he will get there when he is ready, always seems with my DS he starts to do something and within a week or two has it mastered!

**selflessparenting** · 23-07-2011 13:17

In this situation I would most definitely:

1. Remember that the child is perfect as he is right now, with a little encouragement he will crawl eventually - this is his task to accomplish and mine only to delight in.

2. Reassure, support and encourage him in his attempts rather than removing the frustration all together.

*this is my humble solution orientated opinion based on the information provided and is given without conducting a complete assessment of the caregiver and child*

**bitterpure** · 27-07-2011 12:30

Thanks HEAPS everyone for sharing your experiences and advice - very reassuring to know that some kids are late crawlers and there's nothing wrong with that.

I have made an appointment with the paed for a month's time (DS will be close to 11 months) just to check that everything's okay anyway...

**europa** · 06-08-2011 21:57

Originally Posted by trina2706

Thanks HEAPS everyone for sharing your experiences and advice - very reassuring to know that some kids are late crawlers and there's nothing wrong with that.

I have made an appointment with the paed for a month's time (DS will be close to 11 months) just to check that everything's okay anyway...

My DS has only started to roll regularly at 9 months, and rocking on all four at 10 months, and he finally crawled at 11 months

I was concerned although everyone I knew told me how lucky I was , as I could leave bub on his playmat and would still find him there half an hour later

. NOT that I have done that. But you get the idea. He'd stay on one spot for so long. He'd 'slither', but you know how far one can go slithering

DS also walked late. He took first steps at 15 months, but did not walk until 17 months old.

Now, I am starting to worry about his speech. But I keep thinking that since he was a late crawler and walker, his speech might come a bit late too.

Sorry if I am not helping much by sharing my worry above, but what I can say now is: don't worry, yet! Only if after your bub turns 1 and he still doesn't crawl/bum shuffle/commando crawl, then yes, see a doctor, or ask CHN to refer you to a paediatric physio.