Hi, My little girl is now almost 5 months old. Although she has gained quite a lot of neck control, she is still holding her head to one side when I sit her up on my lap. I am also not keen to sit her upright in her pushchair yet as she slopes down to one side. She has also not starting rolling or shown any interest in doing so. She absolutely hates tummy time, screams and screams, but I do try and encourage it as I know this is supposed to help her development. I know I shouldn't try and compare her to other babies her age that we meet, as every baby develops at different rates....but it is a concern for me when I'm not sure if the neck control issue in particular is normal. So many worries when you are a first time mum with no experience of babies before hand. If anyone else has experienced this with a 5 month old, that may give me some relief. She is a very smiley, happy, contented baby with no other signs that she isn't developing at the correct rate. thanks, alex.

Hi Alex, My fiorst daughter Lucie was the same, i have heard that the first babies develop at a slower rate than second and thirds as they have to learn things for themselves, unlike my second daughter kayleigh who was crawling at 5 months because she watched Lucie doing it!!! Do you attend any baby groups so that your daughter is around other children at the same stage of development/ this might help because they learn thorugh watching others!! If you are really concerned tho it might be worthwhile speaking to your health visitor as she can tell you if you should be worring! She might also be able to give you some tips on improving her head control!
Hope this helps a bit?
Louise xx

Thanks Louise. I do go to a regular mum & baby group each week where there are babies of a similar age. Although most are rolling, few are crawling. We did go to a storytime group this week at the library, where there were some older babies. Maybe that group will help if she sees lots of babies crawling and rolling about. She may get the hint, ha ha.

Hi,

my daughter didnt crawl at all she pulled herself on her bum, she didnt even really sit up on her own without support until she was 8 months old and she didnt walk until she was 18 months, she could talk before she could sit up. I was really worried and booked an appointment with my GP who referred her to the baby clinic, I am still waiting on the appointment and she is now nearly 3 years old. Now she is out of nappys and at school, so i would try not to worry if i was you.