Understanding Late Bloomers: Signs, Reasons, and Month wise Milestones for Babies

You’ve undoubtedly heard the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The tale bears a close analogy with the development of children at an early age. Late bloomer kids might start off checking those development milestone boxes later on, but that doesn’t mean they mightn’t overtake children who have bloomed earlier than them, in other key areas of development.

Here are some of the things that best characterize late bloomer kids.

They haven’t rolled over on their own by the age of 5 months.
They cannot sit up despite support, even at the age of 8 months.
The idea of coloring with crayons does not pique their interest.
They haven’t made an attempt to walk by 18 months.
They haven’t spoken a single ‘proper’ word even at the age of 2.

Reasons for Late blooming in Kids

Here are some of the factors that might influence the development of your child.

Temperament

Children with a persistent nature will ensure they master skills like rolling over. It’s not the same with other kids who might have a lower threshold of giving up where it comes to mastering those crucial life skills.

Over-Pampering

It’s a given that we all want to pamper our babies, but not to the extent that it hampers their development. If you’re constantly handing them that favourite ball, not giving them a chance to reach out for it on their own, that might just do more harm than good. Over-pampering is one of the top reasons for late blooming in kids. It’s best to strike a balance and not coddle them too much.

Eating habits and Health

Late baby bloomers are in many instances, merely children who don’t eat healthy. If your child is undernourished, it’s a given that they will possibly not reach those developmental milestones as fast as kids who find themselves in the proverbial pink of health. While eating right for kids is important, ensure to take good care of their overall health, too, like sending them off for a warm bath after they get soaking wet while playing, so they don’t catch a chill.

Separation Anxiety

This might seem a bit strange, but children who take their first few steps might just not repeat that awesome feat because they find it’s taking them away from their mommies!

They have other interests

Some children love playing with crayons and showing signs of the budding artist within, while others might be more excited by the joy proffered by a ‘sense of mobility’. Every child is unique, and while you’re so focused on their ‘not developing’, you might just miss the areas where they develop ‘with a flourish’!

Reasons for Late Walking in Babies

Of all the things that worry parents vis a vis their babies’ development, not walking while other younger babies their age have started long ago, is one of the top worrying concerns. What might the key reasons be, for late walking in babies?

Lack of interest in standing.

What do you do if a baby wants to laze around? After all, they have an upcoming lifetime of running around to do.

Difficulty with balance and coordination.

Give them some flak; you won’t remember, but you’ve been through awkward moments like these, too.

Delay in reaching other milestones like crawling and sitting up.

Early child development is a step-by-step process.

Persistent stiffness or floppiness.

Did you ever stop and think that they might be trying to follow their instincts, but that it is incredibly difficult to follow through?

Month Wise Milestones for Babies

Again, every baby is different. No need to be alarmed if your baby is not checking all these milestones during each month of their first year. Here’s a look, nonetheless, at the ‘generally expected’ month wise milestones for babies.

1-month-old

Tries different facial expressions
Gets startled at hearing loud noises
Can sometimes briefly hold their heads up
Able to recognize your smell

2-month-old

Might smile
Brings their hands to their mouth
Makes cooing sounds
Tries to look at their parent’s face

3-month-old

Might laugh
Follows objects with eyes
Might roll from tummy to back
Reaches for, and might be able to grasp, toys

4-month-old

Smiles at familiar faces
Starts to babble
Imitates sounds and facial expressions
Holds head steady without support

5-month-old

Enjoys playing ‘peek-a-boo’
Might be able to sit when propped up with pillows
Picks up and moves objects with their hands
Can most likely roll over from tummy to back

6-month-old

Responds to their own name
Recognizes familiar people
Tries to talk to you
Rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy

7-month-old

Understands the meaning of the word ‘no’.
Loves playing with you
Might be able to sit up unsupported
Reacts to the ‘emotion’ in your voice

8-month-old

Sits without support
Might start crawling
Might say ‘mama’ for the first time (If you’re lucky!)
Might grasp small objects

9-month-old

Claps their hands (They’re happy and they know it!)
Remembers the location of their toys
Might pull themselves up and stand
Attempts to wave

10-month-old

Might take a few steps unassisted
Might point to certain objects they want
Starts shaking, throwing and banging toys
Can understand some baby sign language

11-month-old

Looks at objects when named
Is able to understand more words
Might be able to follow simple directions
Might be able to pull up with some support and stand for a few seconds

12-month-old

Can sit without support
Might walk without support
Uses a sippy cup
Responds to simple commands

While all parents are told that their children should develop along a certain timeline, it’s perfectly all right if your little one doesn’t hit all developmental milestones at the expected time. At EuroKids, it’s our mission to gradually ease your children into those developmental milestones they will be hitting way past that one year of their development. Your baby might be a late bloomer, but we will do everything in our capacity to hone their skill set in succinct (but relaxed) fashion.