[MamaS]

MBear, there are several reasons for the delay.
One possibility is that the parents do not want their extended family to know the child is in care, while there is hope that they can get the child back.
Another -- unfortunate -- reality is that extended family may be more willing to take an older child. It is the foster family who goes through the drug withdrawal experienced by the child, who gets up for nightly feedings, comforts the child through teething, etc. Then, when the child is "easier" to take care if the distant relatives swarm in. It has nothing to do with any affection for or relationship with the child. They may never have even seen the child. But if the child is "blood kin" everyone automatically assumes that the child should go to "family" even if family never went out of their way for the child!