ugh

thatgrrrrl

We had M's 6 month appt today. All is well-ish. She's 3% for weight (12lbs 8 oz), 10% for height (24in). but super teeny head. Cognitively she's doing well. But core muscules are a problem. We're upping the tummy time at home and day care and we'll re-evaluate in a month. Doc wants to re-check her head growth and then depending on the results of that we might end up getting a neuro work up and possibly early intervention work.

This all *possibly* stem from the weight issues we had previously. But it could be something organic. It could be nothing at all and some extra work might resolve the situation.

I'm trying not to be a wreck but it's not working so well.

6fsn

It's going to be okay.  6 months is still really, really early for percentages and milestones etc.  Get the work ups, but most things are just kids being different.

hugs.

loveshine1

All kids are different. I wouldn't worry about it.

How big was M when she was born?

thatgrrrrl

She was 5lbs 15oz at birth. She's tiny and going to be a tiny person. That's a given considering my size, H's size and our parents' sizes. Her head growth is on point with her weight gain but we need to make sure her brain is developing normally.

Cognitively she's right where she should be. So we really need to focus on building up her core muscles more. She shouldn't be as floppy as she is.

loveshine1

I'm sure she's fine, she's just petite.

I'm sure with some work, including some additional tummy time, she'll be solid in no time. The pediatrician told me that A's back muscles were too soft, and now he's solid as a brick sht house.

thatgrrrrl

How did you get him from soft to solid?

thatgrrrrl

I had a talk with daycare when I dropped her off. They gave me the song and dance about how they rotate the babies so they all get tummy time. I asked them to put her on her tummy any time she's on the floor. I said not to let her get hysterical, but definitely put her on her tummy more often than not.

H and I will be big time stepping up the tummy time at home too. He'll do it in the evenings before I get home. We'll do it before bed, and I'll do it before I leave in the morning.

loveshine1

We did a lot of floor exercises. Tummy time pissed him off royally, but tough. We did it for a couple minutes a few times per day and built up gradually, and had DH's parents do the same on the days he's with them. He was eventually able to push himself up on his arms.

That being said, I doubt he will be a crawler. He prefers to stand.

6fsn

Remember tummy time isn't just on their tummy.  You can put them on your chest, lift them overhead, etc.  I "bench press" M2 on the daily.  It's great until the 33 lber wants to get pressed too.

thatgrrrrl

we do that a lot with her, but she needs to be physically on her tummy more. Pushing herself up more. Her head and neck control is fantastic. Her hips and abdominals aren't where the pedi would like to see them.

nicoleg1982

Put her in the bathtub with about 1/4 inch or less water in it, on her tummy.  Supervise her, obviously, but show her how to flap her arms and smack/splash the water.  DD still thinks this is the most fun game ever.  

Also, get some suction-cup toys and stick them to a mirror/plastic cutting board/whatever and prop it up against the wall.  Let her lay on her tummy, reaching for the toys.

hmonkey

bumbo is also tummy time to develop neck muscles.

6fsn

I'm just curious what they do to determine her core muscle strength.  Or is it something she isn't doing yet?