Ok Mom’s out there. I need your opinion. Although I have three other children I can say that my youngest has not hit the same milestones at the same stage as my other children.
I’ve had a rough time of it with this little guy and that’s no secret. He is 100% breastfeed. No formula!(Does it solid food but no other liquids), co-sleeping, momma carried, allergy having, spoiled little guy. Now I know most of you are saying, “Yah ok…What else?” He’s just turned one and he doesn’t say a word. Well not anything I can understand anyhow. He likes to rock himself as he sits on the floor. He’ll bang his head and seems like that has picked up a lot more as he starts to get frustrated with things he’s not allowed to have. (My other little guy did this too) He spends probably 75% of his day screaming his head off and just doesn’t seem to be a happy child. He’s below the scale for weight only 18 lbs.
I know all children are different and they hit milestones at different stages. Not exactly sure what the doctor is worried about. At the appointment I was told to stop breastfeeding him, put him in his own bed and limit the time that I carry him. Huh??
NO you can’t have the number to my pediatrician. I can just imagine what your thinking. Those exact thoughts ran through my head. Why they called to have me bring him back in for another evaluation after I was told that he appeared to be on target has me puzzled. I guess the questionnaire I filled out had them thinking that possibly there is something that they are missing. I have an appt for a week away so I’ll have to update you then on their assumptions.
Any thoughts? I can certainly use some reassurance right about now, and just incase your wondering…I did delay his shots. I only allowed them to give him 2 shots or less per visit. He doesn’t deal with pain well and I certainly couldn’t add anymore to his discomfort. He’s still not caught up yet but that’s ok with me.
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My is small for her age too and she weighed 8 lbs 11 oz when she was born. At her 1st b-day appt she weighed about 20 lbs. I freaked out because she didn’t triple her birth weight, but the doctor told me she was fine. I don’t see what breastfeeding has to do with it. Just make sure that you are not using reduced fat foods or light foods. By using diet foods he may not be getting the calories needed. As for co-sleeping I do it to and it works for us.
Hold your baby tight and love him! That's all the advice I can give :->
Thanks for being a part of the Virtual Girls Night Out! I host these "parties" every Friday night, and since it's 'virtual' you can never be late to the party ;-> I hope you can make it to the next one too!
I agree with Cheli…
My 6 yr old daughter didn’t say one word until age 3..now her vocabulary is double the size of most kids her age!
Trust your instincts…God gave this little soul to you because you are the perfect mom for his care!
I think Drs over diagnosis and cause unneeded concern where there shouldn’t be any. While I do believe your pediatrician (and many others) have the best intentions at heart.. most are so focuses on the charts that they forget to see the baby.
My feeling on this *and you know from reading my blog that Journey is special needs* is that if something feels off to YOU with little one then get him evaluated. If you think he’s just taking his sweet time and enjoying babyhood and all the perks that comes with it.. then don’t worry and give him time.
That being said.. Journey doesn’t talk, not one word, barely makes sounds for that matter.. And he qualified for early intervention support for that area (among a few others).
I delayed Journey’s vaccinations as well, breastfed until it wasn’t healthy for him anymore, and carry him “more than I should” but he’s happy for the most part. Attachment parenting is all about the child.. look at your little one and let him guide you not that doctor. If he seems content and happy and seems to be thriving and moving forward, even if it’s not at the rate that the doctors want.. let him be. He knows what he needs from you. Your job is to listen.
I am no expert, all I can say is follow your own gut feelings We mums know when something is wrong. As for talking just keep chatting to him he’ll answer when he’s ready. Hugs to you Juliet
I agree with everyone else, get a second opinion. My third baby didnt talk until he was 3, well over 3 actually as I just watched a video of him on his birthday, he really had no language. Now at 5 you can’t shut him up, lol! head banging and rocking, sounds like frustration, because of lack of communication.
Keep strong, you know your child best, and seek out another doctor.
I definitely say, second opinion. I don’t trust doctors 100% anyway, but that’s just me (and that doc sounds like he needs a good swift kick in the hindside by one of us AP mommies, if you ask me). I’d google to find out what the supposed ‘milestones’ are and find out more info and go back fully informed before visiting that doctor again. Every child is indeed different, but they can’t say its just his lack of talking or weighing ‘too little’ to be a cause for concern. *huge hugs*
My son just turned a year and according to the charts is small also. I’m not too worried. He is healthy. If I were you I’d go visit another doctor for a second opinion.
1. I’m extremely angry at your pediatrician right now. Why on earth would he ask you to stop breastfeeding?
2. The charts are designed around formula fed babies which tend to weigh more than breastfed ones. My daughter was in the 25 percentile for the entire first 18 months because she was breastfed. The girl had rolls for goodness sakes.
3. He honestly doesn’t sound abnormal to me. It sounds like he gets frustrated (the head banging and rocking) because he can’t verbalize his needs to you yet. That’s par for course. They know what they want but just can’t quite get it out.
If your instincts tell you otherwise, get another pediatrician’s though.
I’m certainly no expert, but I’ve done enough research to at least insert my opinion… The shots don’t have any coorelation with autism. There are no scientific findings linking the two…so don’t get caught up with the hype about that; the media has really done a number on this topic!
Second – there are plenty of co-sleeping babies out there who are breastfed (maybe not 100%)) well beyond 12 months…and they’re just fine. Trust your mommy instincts on this one. If you think something “isn’t quite right” – get answers….but certainly, continue to do what is best for you, your son, and your family!
I’ll say a prayer for ya’ll!
How well do you like/know your pediatrician? What about a second opinion? If you have had the same pediatrician for all the kids for years and years…then I would trust him and his concerns. If this is a new one..and doesn’t know your family very well or history…then I would do a second opinon. As far as words go…well…mine will be 2 in June and all he says is Momma, something that sounds like “good girl” and dada. That is it. He hums everything….and won’t say anything. So I do not think that it is bad. I even asked my dr in Feb about his talking and he said, all kids do it at their own pace. They may be thinking autism cause of the banging. If he isn’t gaining weight…what about tummy troubles. Wouldn’t that make YOU miserable? If you had a tummy ache all the time? Does he eat regular food? Or all breast milk. Are there things you are eating that are making him have gas or tummy aches. Did they tell you he was underweight????
First place I would start is definately the dr. and what I said above.
Hope this helps a little.
Tonya
My Shawnie! As I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Your #1 in my heart today (oops the 19th) as I said the boy just doesn’t have anything to say or is afraid to cuz his poor little mouth hurts. LOVE, THE NANEE!