[mommamarci]

You would think with my second child, I would know what to expect... However, Cameron was pretty delayed physically and in hind sight there were lots of things he did or did not do that were signs of the issues that were to come. I guess that is my way of saying I don't know what normal development looks like.

Spencer is almsot 5 months old. He is not yet sitting or rolling, but close on both. Here is what I am worried about: when I sit him on my lap he rocks back and forth a lot. I will be trying to get a burp out and he rocks and rocks. I have seen autistic children do this at a much older age while playing. Is this a normal thing for a 4 month old? Is he just learning and stretching the trunk muscles? Should I be concerned that it could be a sign of autism?

Thanks!

[EZ2Luv]

My babies all did that and I can assure they are fine. He is so very young to be showing signs of Autism IMHO. Alot of babies rock just beause they can.. Once he starts sitting and getting mobile he probably won't rock anymore. I ll bet you have an early walker there.

EZ

[ProspectiveSingleMom]

I wouldn't be concerned about autism ... most kids don't show signs of autism that young, and rocking would NOT be the first (or only) sign.

[Whirled_Peas]

Our son had rapid growth of his head starting at 3.5 months and I picked up a speech delay at 8 months. Both of these could have been signs of autism. We saw a developmental pediatrician (specializes in autism.) She told us she has only seen 2 autistic kids where the parents didn't know something was wrong by the first birthday. I've heard of parents knowing something was wrong almost from birth.

I'm not saying your son has autism, I just want people to know that 5 months old may not be too young to see some signs.

Here is a link to a website to see if your child is developing normally:
Ages & Stages Questionnaires : A Parent Completed, Child-Monitoring System

It only takes a few minutes to answer the questions. They email you the results right away. It was this questionnaire that helped me pick up my son's speech delay. We got him early intervention right away and it didn't take long for him to catch up.

There were a lot of little things that made me wonder about my son. We use attachment parenting so he was touched almost constantly. We got him speech therapy. We have not vaccinated. I sometimes wonder if he could have gone down the autism path if we had parented differently. But he didn't. He is perfectly normal. His speech is now very advanced.

Most likely your child is fine. Take the questionnaire. See your pediatrician if you are concerned. Remembering, of course, a lot of pediatricians will say everything is fine when it's not. That's why we saw a developmental pediatrician. We wanted an expert's opinion.

[mommieof2cuties]

I work with Special Edication Children during the school year, and have been working with autism more and more. My advice from working at DCF is Tummy Time three times a day for 20-30 mins. Try not to use a bouncer or walker, exasaucer, bumbo seat, often, many of those toys that were put on the market to become great learning tools, have started to cause issues in normal childhood development. The more one one and tummy time you can down, on the floor with the baby the better, bring toys down to his level, balls, stackable cups etc, We were placed with a emeregency foster placement who just kinda did nothing at six weeks old, here is nine months old, and thanks to tummy time, wearing him facing out and not keeping him in any of the toys for too long he is about ready to walk, been crawling for two and half months, and has started to eat normal food, something my own children didn't do at this age. People tend to toss off tummy time, because many babies hate it, but the key is being on the floor with them, bring your older son into it also, we also have a mini pool that we did tummy time in, put like an inch of water in it and water toys and place baby in it, (only do this if baby can hold head up, and adult must must be watching). With my next baby and any future baby I am going to do the same thing, tummy time, and less time in all the other stuff. The doctors were impressed by how well he has done with us. But I do have to be honest if you think something is wrong, get help right away to correct it! Don't let it go getting help first is the key I hope I was helpful. Just an FYI also, at least here in FL more and more children appear to get labled with autism and not all really have it, you get more funding from the government if the child has it, it is a huge issue here, and we do need change. All my children including foster children have had all shots on time, and have had no issues or bad side effects. Go with what you're heart says Remember also each child develops at it's own rate. Each year those guidlines appear to have been changed.

Summer

[Whirled_Peas]

Regarding tummy time. My son hated it. However, I carried him in a sling (facing out) constantly. And I mean constantly. Being in a sling is considered tummy time--except the babies don't hate it and the more you wear them, the more time they're getting in each day.

When you wear a baby, they need to work to move with you. They need to work to keep their head up (as you move.) They are not just sitting there passively as they would in a swing, bouncy chair, or other expensive, highly marketed contraption that really does nothing except keep them from being held by you. (Can you tell I'm against molded plastic devices? LOL)

[mommieof2cuties]

Originally Posted by Whirled_Peas

Regarding tummy time. My son hated it. However, I carried him in a sling (facing out) constantly. And I mean constantly. Being in a sling is considered tummy time--except the babies don't hate it and the more you wear them, the more time they're getting in each day.

When you wear a baby, they need to work to move with you. They need to work to keep their head up (as you move.) They are not just sitting there passively as they would in a swing, bouncy chair, or other expensive, highly marketed contraption that really does nothing except keep them from being held by you. (Can you tell I'm against molded plastic devices? LOL)

I agree that is why we did both, tummy time, and wearing facing out, I still wear him facing out! He has been in a stroller maybe five times, and those toys maybe a handful of time for less than 15 mins at a time. I am a firm beliver that both the tummy time and the facing out baby wearing really worked to develop him and catch him up. It also allowed him to see what was going on around him all the time, it was even great at Disney, he was able to go on many of the rides because he could hold himself so well! My friends baby who has been in all those toys often and seldom held or tummy time or even worn, is 30 pounds, and is not even crawling, he is two weeks younger than the emergency foster son. what kills me is she has her masters in Education and appears to care less about her child, yet calls me to complain that her son is so behind....I keep telling her to do stuff, she is a fulltime stay at home mom Maybe if she got off facebook she could work with her son more

Summer

[Fran27]

My two are 5 months old, and although premature, have been right on track for their age, They just started rolling to their tummy, don't roll to their back yet, and definitely can't sit up.

I agree about tummy time, although a friend who has Early Intervention come said that you really need tummy time on the floorfor good development. Mine hate it too, but I still try to give them 30 minutes a day (easier now that they roll to it).

[Whirled_Peas]

Originally Posted by Fran27

I agree about tummy time, although a friend who has Early Intervention come said that you really need tummy time on the floorfor good development. Mine hate it too, but I still try to give them 30 minutes a day (easier now that they roll to it).

I've heard that putting a child on the floor for tummy time if they hate it is pointless if you wear your child. Don't know if there are any studies supporting that, but it makes sense to me.

[mommieof2cuties]

Originally Posted by Whirled_Peas

I've heard that putting a child on the floor for tummy time if they hate it is pointless if you wear your child. Don't know if there are any studies supporting that, but it makes sense to me.

All the training I had at DCF said you have to force the tummy time on the floor! In the end the baby will learn to like it... I guess I will have to see what happens when I have my next baby!

Summer

[BlessedbySnuggs]

Whirled_Peas
"We use attachment parenting so he was touched almost constantly. We got him speech therapy. We have not vaccinated. I sometimes wonder if he could have gone down the autism path if we had parented differently. But he didn't. He is perfectly normal. His speech is now very advanced."

I'm sorry, maybe I am wrong here, but I think it is incredibly insensitive/irresponsible to make a comment regarding different parenting styles being a possible reason that autism occurs. Honestly, it is just a weird comment to make when many people have children who have autism, and to imply that maybe if parents held their children more or did something else they would not have autism. I know many families that have children with autism, and I just can't believe a comment like that would be made. Again, JMHO.

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Tummy time on the floor is different than sling wearing. Both work muscles, but there are some that only floor tummy time can work. It also is weight bearing movement. So doing both works best.


HOWEVER....that isn't what the OP was asking about........SO at 5 months, if he is almost rolling and sitting some, he is doing great. Rocking at that age is normal and actually good for working balancing muscles. You can always speak to the pediatrician about your concerns at his 6mo check-up.


Kim

[EZ2Luv]

Tummy time is an absolute must, a sling is good but doesn't accomplish what actual baby placed on hard surface tummy time. The importance of tmmy time is essential no matter how much baby resists. They resist because it is work, but so very important for muscle developement. My friend wore her baby constanty in a sling and he was so delayed as far as his neck went, he was hardly able to hold it up at almost 7 months. Nothing wrong with him otherwise that would cause delays (not a preeme perfectly heathy) just not enough tummy time. She was so very upset when the doctor told her that it was not enough tummy tim. Here she thought the sling was a great way of attacment parenting (a real crunchy Mama with her bios). Now she is the first to point point out how crucil tummy time is and yes, I agree it can be made fun for baby when other siblings join in..



EZ

[Whirled_Peas]

Originally Posted by BlessedbySnuggs

Whirled_Peas I'm sorry, maybe I am wrong here, but I think it is incredibly insensitive/irresponsible to make a comment regarding different parenting styles being a possible reason that autism occurs. Honestly, it is just a weird comment to make when many people have children who have autism, and to imply that maybe if parents held their children more or did something else they would not have autism. I know many families that have children with autism, and I just can't believe a comment like that would be made. Again, JMHO.

I am sorry. I certainly did not mean to offend. I was expressing my thoughts on my son's situation. It is also my opinion, and it is only my opinion, that parenting styles can make a difference. Not for all kids and not for all situations. I do think babies are sensitive and it can make a difference if they spend their first months being held versus being in a swing or crib. That does not mean parents cause autism. In our case I think our son could have been borderline and for him the choices we made did make a difference. Other children could be raised with equally loving care and it wouldn't make a difference.

There is finally movement in the medical world regarding autism and vaccines. These things can make a difference.

So, I apologize if I offended anyone. I simply shared my thoughts.

[BlessedbySnuggs]

And please don't get me wrong

I do believe it is incredibly important...the quality time with your children, bonding and holding them. There is just no proof that different parenting styles lead/do not lead to any form of autism. I know a lot of excellent parents who have children with autism and also have children that do not. I also know parents who did not get their child vaccinated and their child has autism. (Again, not making any assumptions either way, just stating some facts) And as far as vaccines are concerned there is no solid evidence, at this time, that vaccines are a link or cause to autism. At least that I am aware of, and I do try to keep updates on educating myself with that kind of information.

Anyway, I really didn't want to sound rude either, I guess I am just little sensitive to comments like that, because I know so many wonderful parents that have children with autism; they would take great offense to comments like that.