Developmental Delays Infant
Dear Susan, I would like to know if my child is considered to be developmentally delayed. He is a 6-1/2 months old and does not roll over at all. He was born at 37 weeks/good weight and good length. He was in a n.i.c.u for 15 days after birth for a possible lung infection, and had some jaundice. He was placed on a ventilator and then a oscillator for awhile and also many xrays, bloodwork were done but no diagnosis was given to us. He is a good sleeper, he can’t sit up too well yet in a straight back high chair. He leans to the side or forward quite often. I have contacted early intervention and they are supposed to evaluate him, although if he is 30 percent or less delayed they will not help at all. We also have neurologist appointment made for him, but the wait is 4 more months for that. I have tried to cover all the bases, but in our rural area there is not much help for kids except the EI services. Plus I know if he does qualify they are only willing to offer “minimum services” and push the rest off on the parents. I’m wondering what else are our options? Thanks for your time, Sarah.
Dear Sarah,
Thanks for the informative message about your baby. Of course, most babies are sitting in jump seats, swings, and car seats pretty well by 6 months, but some laid back or heavy babies are “tilting” well past 6 months and are slower to sit up.
Try using the floor, as a “practice field” and really encourage your baby to push forward against your hands and get moving! Make a happy game out of it. Talk to the baby constantly when you play, so he sees and hears lots of encouragement and support to move forward and to roll over. Play “row, row, row, your boat” with him, rolling him from side to side. Play “ride, ride, ride, your bicycle” and alternative his legs in the air as if he were walking or pedaling on a bike.
It sounds as if your baby is not very active, but he needs to get a move on, and enjoy his house and his toys. Really work at getting him to want to be more upright or in a crawling or sitting position. Parents are great teachers to their babies, so spend time teaching him fun games he can do while sitting up – prop him with pillows on the floor. Use the floor as his playground – use a shower curtain or piece of sturdy fabric as a swing, and gently sway him back and forth, up and down, around very slowly!
If he still doesn’t play by himself and shift objects from hand to hand and try to sit up or roll over, then you are right to have him checked out by a neurologist. Your EI parent collaborative group should be a big help; if not, tell me and I’ll make some calls for your.
Thanks Gain, Susan Turben
