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6 months old fine motor skills - not grabbing/reaching for things

My 6 month old daughter is not grabbing / reaching for toys and generally seems to struggle with using her hands/arms accurately (poor coordination). A bit about her:
Does not bring arms/hands to the centre of her body
When lying on her back will occasionally reach for a toy – takes considerable concentration and not always successful
Will suck her thumb – often her whole hand will ‘pat her face’ in search of her mouth before able to successfully suck her thumb/fingers
Will occasionally roll onto her front – but complains a lot when on her tummy and rarely supports her body with her arms; does not push up on her arms when in this position.
When sat up (supported - does not sit on her own yet) her arms are ‘resting’ down by her side; she makes no attempt to reach / grab (even though she appears visually stimulated by toys)

I think her muscle tone is ok.  She smiles and coos.  Does not yet babble.  Will bear her weight on her legs when held in a standing position.  Falls off to sleep very easily.

Please help us, going crazy with worry over what might be the issue.

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Avatar universal
Hi, if anyone ever come to this again and wondering how all those babies are doing, I don't know how they are doing but I am one of those kids my mom said. I did not reach for any toys, no interest in moving my limbs and body, I didn't roll over until maybe 10 month old, I didn't crawl. I was that lazy baby. My mom said she could put a hot glass of water in front of me and nothing happens. Cuz I wouldn't reach for anything. BUT nothing was wrong with me physically and mentally. I am in fact very good with using my hands brain together. I draw, sew, cook, knit, and was also very good with sports and very competitive as a kid. I started walking on time and my mom said that ever since I started walking, they couldn't catch me anymore. I was the baby who wanted to do everything on my own like wearing clothes, eating foods, and even insisted on wiping my own butt. Now my son is the exact same as I was my mom said. So try not to worry much.
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1 Comments
Thanks for your comments.  Yes, very often kids develop at their own pace and all is fine eventually.  I think we track milestones to monitor when it is not resolving so we can add intervention.  My son ended up having a developmental delay called sensory integration disorder that required occupational therapy. His motor planning was impacted which is how our brain and nervous system communicate how to perform motor actions.  Social skills also were/are impaired. That's been the hardest part.  We still work on that and he's double digits in age now!  But very true that no one should panic as very often, kids catch up and never look back. For the rest of us, as we monitor our kids and don't see that happening, we can provide intervention that is truly helpful.  
Avatar universal
I would like to please know hoe everyone's child is doing. Exact symptoms with our baby boy. Over 7 months now, though he was born preterm. 2 months earlier.

TIA
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello, I'm sorry to both you after such a long time but my six month old daughter is having the same problems as your little girl and I wondered how she was doing now? Any advice would be much appreciated because as you can imagine I'm passed myself with worry. Thank you
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1 Comments
Hiya, my little one is doing exactly the same, I'm very nervous and stressed out about it, we are being referred to a specialist and tests will follow, can I ask what the outcome was with ur little one? X
Avatar universal
Can I ask how everyone's child is progressing? X
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Avatar universal
Hello there,
Yes. MRI was normal. Did you have to get MRI results, and anything concerning? If you can share your phone number (in private message, if you prefer), we can call you. Thank you for responding.

We are also doing a hearing test again (we have had some recent concerns around that.)
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Avatar universal
Did you get the MRI results yet?
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Avatar universal
My daughter is 6 months old: exact same story. Perfect pregnancy and delivery. She does not grab or hold toys, hates tummy time, does not roll over, does not do minu push-up, will not each baby food. Sounds like your child is the mirror of mine. We are seeing a neurologist on Thursday.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
  Wow, I can see why you are concerned!  I think your doctor needs to pull in some specialists to help out.   I really hope things work out ok for you and the baby.  Keep in touch.   Good luck!
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Avatar universal
LO is a little more than 6 months old. Not reaching for anything, she is not comfortable in any position except laying in her back. Rubs her eyes / faces constantly if moved or held. (unless being fed). Baby is not willing to try any food, does not cry / babble except just grunting sounds. (Sorry, I am not typing in a very comprehensive way, just so nervous). Barely lifts her head on tummy time (we have tried a lot over the last few months). Mom is home full time. There was no issues in pregnancy. It was the easiest / smoothest pregnancy / delivery ever (all natural, no drugs). Doctor says she has not seen a case like this before. We are waiting for MRI (blood tests have been normal so far, muscle tone is ok) She is not floppy in her limbs. But, does not have desire to use limbs and does not have any control over any movements. We have started to notice increasing tremors / fussiness (but she settles if mom grabs her and starts to feed).
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
  How about giving us some information about YOUR child.  How old?  Problems during pregnancy?  What kind of stimulation does she get - is mom home with her all day?
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Avatar universal
Hello, Can anyone please respond and let us know some insights about how you found next steps to take? We are really worried about our kid right now.
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Avatar universal
Hello there,
We are dealing with the exact same symptoms. We are currently in UK (moved from US), and are considering going back to US to get better diagnosis / care. Can you please share where you are based and what sort of tests / diagnosis you have tried, and any help you are able to get? The process in UK seems very slow, and take the patient approach.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Cheers.
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Avatar universal
Hi Maurijo,
We are going through the same thing right now. Still waiting for the early intervention but I'm so concerned! How are you doing? Any updates? Thanks :)
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Avatar universal
I know this is years later but did you ever get a second opinion? My daughter is 6 months old and your post describes her perfectly. We are in the process of getting a second opinion and doing OT/PT referral. Would love to hear how your daughter is doing and any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
171768 tn?1324230099
Honestly, if you are that concerned then you should go back to your pediatrician. If your gut is telling you something is off, then follow it. If your pediatrician doesn't listen to your concerns, then get a second opinion.
Those milestones and benchmarks can cause parents to panic, but they are just an average. Of course, something may be wrong. That is always a possibility, but it is also possible that everything is OK.
My little ones both could roll over until well after they were sitting. According to those checklists, they should have been rolling months earlier than they did. Still, both were walking by 12 months (the younger by 10 months). Don't panic, but if you feel that strongly then pursue it. You have nothing to lose by getting another opinion.
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535822 tn?1443976780
I have read  your post twice and I really cannot see that she is behind ,I would speak to your Doctor regarding your concerns ,.
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Avatar universal

Thank you for taking the time out to comment; but I'm really concerned there is something wrong here.  I think the milestone for reaching & grabbing is 3 months.  She is now 6 months and still not doing these things which is quite a delay.

I'd really appreciate more advice please.
Thanks -
Helpful - 0
171768 tn?1324230099
It sounds like you have done your research!
Honestly, as hard as it is, I wouldn't worry too much yet. To me, it doesn't sound like she is too far off, and her abilities fall within the realm of typical. I would have thought low tone possibly, but you seem to have ruled that out.

If I were you, I would mention your concerns to the ped, but I suspect he will tell you everything is OK. In the meantime, over the next few months, just keep an eye on her and play with her- do activities that playfully develop those skills (which I am sure you are doing). They also have tummy time activity centers that may help. In particular I am thinking of a raised platform (lamaze ladybug tummy time) that takes some of the weight off the arms and allows the child to spin and reach. You don't have to run out and get it, but if you have some extra $ and are concerned you can get some things like that.
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