Understanding Baby Milestones.

When Should Parents Seek Advice?

As new parents, it’s natural to focus on your baby’s milestones. From rolling over to crawling, these developmental markers help guide you through your baby’s early growth. But what happens if your baby isn’t hitting these milestones at the expected time? Should you be concerned, or is it okay to give them more time?

In this interview, Wendy from Junction Road Physiotherapy shared some invaluable insights on how to approach baby milestones and what parents should do if their little one seems to be falling behind.

Are Baby Milestones Strict Guidelines?

One of the most common questions parents have is: “How strict are these baby milestones, and should I be worried if my baby isn’t meeting them?”

Wendy explains that milestones are just that, guidelines, not hard and fast rules. "They're a good guideline, but they’re not a hard and fast rule," Wendy says. Every baby develops at their own pace, and it’s important to remember that these milestones offer a general sense of when your baby might achieve certain skills like sitting up, crawling, or walking.

That being said, milestones are helpful for setting expectations and keeping track of your baby’s early development. They provide a framework for what to watch for as your little one grows.

What Should You Do If Your Baby Misses a Milestone?

It’s completely normal to feel anxious if your baby seems to be lagging behind in one or more areas of development. “Should I panic if my baby misses a milestone?” is a question many mums ask.

Wendy reassures parents that it’s not about panicking but paying attention. "If your bub is not meeting those milestones, and particularly if it's one milestone and then there's another one that they're also not meeting, it's good to seek advice," Wendy suggests.

For instance, if your baby isn’t rolling over by the typical range of 3 to 5 months, it might be worth keeping an eye on their development. But if they also aren’t sitting up by 6 months or crawling by 9 months, seeking professional advice can either provide reassurance or give you the tools to help your baby reach those milestones.

Why Early Intervention Matters

“Why should I seek advice early if my baby isn’t meeting milestones?” is another common question from concerned parents. Wendy emphasises that early intervention can make a big difference. "The sooner you get help, it's either going to put your mind at ease or it's going to help you help your little one develop the milestones they need."

By seeking guidance early, you can either have the peace of mind that your baby is just taking a little longer to develop, or you can start supporting them with specific strategies to encourage their progress.

In many cases, early intervention offers gentle, effective ways to help your baby thrive. Whether it’s through more tummy time, baby sensory toys like Mizzie the Kangaroo, or working with a paediatric specialist, early support can help your baby get back on track.

When to Seek Advice

It’s important to remember that every baby is different, and some will naturally take more time to reach certain developmental milestones. However, if you notice that your baby is consistently behind on multiple milestones or showing signs of difficulty with certain activities (like rolling, sitting up, or crawling), it’s a good idea to reach out to your paediatrician or a specialist.

The key takeaway? Don’t stress too much if your baby isn’t perfectly following the milestone timeline, but don’t hesitate to seek advice if you have concerns. Early support can make all the difference in ensuring your little one’s development stays on track.

Transcript

There's the milestones that you know a little one should be setting up between these months and these months.

How strict should parents be to that and how worried or not?

The milestones are a guideline. They're not a hard and fast rule but they are a good guideline. I would say that it's great to have those ideas and then if your bub is not meeting those milestones and particularly if it's one milestone and then there's another one that they're also not meeting it's good to seek advice.

The sooner you get help it's either going to put your mind at ease or it's going to help you help your little one develop the milestones they need. So it's certainly not

panic stations but it is good to seek advice earlier rather than later.