9 Month Old Well Visit- Dr. Concerns?

As far as those milestones go, my son didn't clap until he was like a year old either. The doc's weren't worried because some babies meet milestones at different times. Especially boys, they tend to take a little longer too. (they're lazy!) As far as his weight, just try to feed him more often if that's possible. If he's eating table foods or baby food try to give him more and offer him more bottles through out the day. Good luck!

If she does see a problem she will most likely recommend early childhood intervention. Keep in mind, it is important for doctors to "red flag" ALL children who are not meeting these milestones so that they can watch for future problems. The majority of children who are watched more closely end up developing just fine in their own time but for those who do have an issue it's critical to get the follow up early so that they can get help. It's great that you have a pediatrician who is on top of these things and is helping you to make sure you child gets any help available if it turns out to be warranted. The worst thing a parent can hear from a pediatrician is "let's just wait and see". I always cringe when I hear that!!

Good luck,
K.

That depends on age and what she thinks he will need. You will likely be evaluated by your state early intervention program, but do not rely on that alone. Always get as much private therapy as you can afford to supplement state services. You will most likely be refered for Occupational therapy and Physical Therapy from what you are describing. She may also do a full physcial work up because of his low weight, and could make a referal to a Developmental Pediatrician (your VERY best bet.)

I would caution you to be very vigalant about every single milestone from here on out, and do not take any time to "wait and see" if he fails to meet one. Do some reading about early child hood development so that you know what is a typical time line, and what is not so that you do not miss anything. Go sooner rather than later, get more intervention rather than less. Getting intervention early is by far, hands down, the most effective thing you can do for him. You should over do rather than to risk missing something.

Pay VERY close attention to his speech development and get a speech and language evaluation at the fist hint of a problem.

Hope that he is doing well by the next visit, but don't panic if he is not. Even if he needs intervention, it is not the end of the world, and you are getting started very early.

M.

Hi -
If she does see concerns at the re-check then the doctor may recommend occupational therapy (OT) or EI. OTs work on development with infants including "bilateral hand use" (using 2 hands together e.g. clapping, banging toys). The therapist will evaluate your child and give you suggestions on how to work at home to build his skills.

Some things you can do to help work on those skills are:
• provide objects that provide noises that make interesting sounds: hollow containers, metal spoons, etc – show him how to bang the object on the table, then together – if he has a hard time copying you show him “hand over hand” as you help him clap cheer for him
• sing songs and clap to the music – encourage him to clap too
• provide him with a toy when he is on his side (if he will stay in side lying – depends on how “on the go” he is :) - gravity will help him bring his hands together.
• Play Peek-a-boo - Hold up a towel between your face and your baby's and ask, "Where's [Sam]? There's [Sam]!" over and over again. – encourage him to reach up with both hands to pull the towel down to find you
• Keep a selection of hats behind the couch and pop up wearing a different one each time. A surefire laugh-getter is to put a hat on your head, hiding your eyes, and let your baby take it off (encourage both hands – make sure to be low enough that he can reach you), saying "Oh!" in surprise each time he does it.
• Play with balls –juggling or tossing ball(s) up in the air and letting them hit the floor while you make a silly sound effect: "Whoops!" Roll a soft ball toward your baby and watch him grab and squeeze it. (again looking for both hands – make sure it is easy to grasp).
• As long as he doesn’t have allergies - Play is whip cream/pudding/yogurt encourage him to “paint” and move both hands in the whip cream/pudding/yogurt

Good luck and I hope all goes well.

Wow sounds like you have a very proactive pediatrician....Just out of curiousity is she concerned with the weight issue because you LO has lost weight or has she not gained any weight....My pediatrician has mentioned right at about the 9-12mth mark babies weight will either go stagnant and/or even loose weight so I'm just curious why she so concerned about the weight issues.

As for the development part of it, as other mom's have mentioned you will probably be sent on to Occupational therapy for an evaluation and from there they will tell you if there is a real concern or need for treatment. And as always the early you catch something the better trmt will be. My son was sent for an early eval. for torticollis. The therapist was so glad my pediatrician didn't to the wait and see approach she said its sooo much easier to trt when they are younger. Even so he only had a mild case and was seen 2 x a month for the first 2 mths and then 1 once last mont and he'll be discharged this month.

ON a side note, my 1st son didn't wave, or clap at 9 mth either, partly because I never even introduced it to him...It never occurred to me to even try it. And I never left and very rarely had him wave to anyone else who left, so why would he wave? He's doing perfectly fine, he's a healthy 28mth old who appears to just be a little slower on developing his motor skills, and ahead on his verbal...Every baby is different but as nerve racking as it is, be relieved you have a Dr. who is active in seeking out the well being of your little guy: Best wishes and don't worry I'm sure everything will work out...

If you and your doctor are concerned about your baby's development, you should ask him for referral to the "Early Intervention" program in your state. The Statewide Toll Free Referral Number in NJ is 888-653-4463. They will help you get a free evaluation and decide if your son needs more help. In most states, a developmental specialist will come to your house and work with you and your son. I don't know the details in NJ, but whoever answers this phone number would know.

I know it's scary to think about your baby being delayed in meeting milestones, but the best thing you can do for your sweetie is to get good information and the right help as early as possible.

My daughter was diagnosed with "failure to thrive" which is a terrible title for simply under-weight and not hitting milestones.

It might be as simple as Early Intervention PT/OT and seeing a pediatric nutritionist.

She could also go the route of a slew of tests. But they probably will go with the former.

Don't be worried, my daughter is 26 months and still only 20 lbs. She has had the slew of tests and everything has come back normal.

Can your baby do the pincer grasp self feed himself make eye contact hear his name when being called look around to see where it s coming from & point to what he wants or is looking at the things that he can't do is he being taught to wave,clap and bang toys together?As far as weight that seems to be ok he is only 9 months but as DRs and us parents we are becoming more aware of red flags in baby/toddler development.I would work with your son on what he can't do at your next appt if there is still concerns ask the DR where you can go FREE things are available through local school districts like TARC Parents As Teachers and in the mean time see an ENT to get hearing checked

That doesn't seem worrysome at all to me. My boys were about that same weight at that age. I once had a lady tell me that my son was delayed because he wouldn't jump for her. But he could jump, it just wasn't something he wanted to do "for her". I wouldn't worry about it. He will do it when he wants to do it. Does he make noise? And does he look at you and respond to your voice? If he does all that, you don't have anything to worry about.

I don't really think the things your doctor is concerned with are major milestone, and as for weight, how big was your baby at birth? Babies normally double the birthweight at 6 months and triple it at a year, so if your baby is close to that, there should not be any cause for concern. Has he been gaining weight in a steady pattern or has he suddently stopped gaining? If he was, for instance, 7 pounds at birth, he'd be about 21 pounds at a year. if he is 16 pounds now and gained just a pound a month, he would be 19 pounds at a year, which is perfectly fine. My last child was 8 pounds at birth, 20 pounds at a year and there was never any cause for concern about his weight. If your doctor feels there is a problem, she will tell you what your options are and what she recommends in terms of next steps. First you need to know WHAT the problem is before you can decide on steps.

I think the concern about his weight is a little extreme. My daughter weighed that at 12 months - and while I agree she is small (now 21 lbs, 7 oz at age 2), she's strong, healthy, and happy. She comes from a family of not very tall or big people - she always had tiny hands and feet...

I also think that both my daughter and her twin brother weren't waving at that age. I know for sure that they could bang two toys together sometime around/after 12 months - but I don't remember about 9 months. The one thing that they probably could do is clap. See if you can teach him to clap in the 6 weeks between appointments. That would show you a lot - whether he can imitate and connect socially with you in order to learn and whether he has the ability to bring his hands together at the midline.