When Is Late Development a Concern?
As a parent, you'll want to nurture your child's development and give them a head start in life. It can be very tempting to compare your baby to other babies their age, and all parents do this to some degree. When faced with other babies who seem on course for passing their maths GCSE in a few months' time, parents can worry that their child isn't developing as fast as they should be.
What's important to remember is that all children develop at different rates. Walking or crawling earlier than average isn't an indication of intelligence, and reaching milestones later than average isn't a sign of lower intelligence either. The baby who crawls earlier than her peers might be the last one to walk. It's very common for babies to have pockets of late development, and a large proportion of development is genetically programmed. Premature babies often reach milestones weeks or months later than full term babies. Your baby will develop at a rate that is normal for them, and there's no need to get disheartened or embarrassed if your baby is the last to reach their milestones out of your circle of friends.
When Should I Be Concerned?
Occasionally, babies don't develop at the same rate as other babies for medical reasons. If you think that your child isn't developing properly it can be worrying. Firstly, look at the complete picture of development rather than focussing on just one milestone. If your baby is making overall progress, even slow progress, then they are on the right track and there is probably nothing to worry about. If you don't see a change in their abilities week by week, or your baby seems to be stuck in a developmental stalemate, then you should make an appointment to see your doctor. If you're not sure at what age certain milestone should be reached then read more about them here on our site.
While you shouldn't worry if your baby hasn't reached milestones by the average age, if your baby is consistently late in reaching milestones, or does not reach them at all, you should take him to a doctor and discuss your concerns. Early diagnosis and treatment has proved to be very effective in cases of developmental delay. The doctor will evaluate your child's development and be able to tell you if your child needs any specialist help. Some babies should be watched especially closely for developmental delays, such as children with other health problems or children who aren't gaining weight at a normal rate.
Is My Baby a 'Late Bloomer'?
Your baby may just be what is often referred to as a 'late bloomer', and there is a wide window either side of the average age for developmental milestones. For example, the average age for crawling is between 8-10 months, but doctors don't usually intervene unless a baby still isn't crawling after they reach their first birthday. Many babies are reaching milestones later these days, and one theory for this is because babies spend less time on their fronts than they used to. Parents are advised to put babies down to sleep on their backs, and this lack of tummy time means they don't develop enough muscle tone to be able to crawl. Crawling is often a precursor to walking, so it can have a knock-on effect on when babies walk. Babies also spend more time in car seats, and baby chairs that rock them back and forth, and other gadgets that keep them entertained in one place. Most late bloomers will develop in their own time, but some babies may need specialist help to enable them to develop enough muscle tone to be able to crawl and walk. With specialist help, these babies are usually able to crawl and walk just like their peers over time.
