Q+A: Should I Be Worried That My 6-Month-Old Still Isn't Pushing Up?

Q. My baby's 6 months old, and he's still not pushing up. Should I be worried?

A. Don't panic if your baby isn't exactly on schedule. The ages given for milestones are just approximations -- some kids reach them sooner, some later. If you're worried, bring it up at your next well-child visit. Your doc will assess your baby's strength and coordination; if everything is normal, there's no cause for concern. However, you should make sure you're giving your baby the time and incentive to move. "Set up an area where he can find things to play with and then step back and let him initiate contact with the things around him," says Benjamin Danielson, MD, director of Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, in Seattle. A continued delay or uneven development (the use of only one side of the body, stiff legs, or lack of head control) may signal a problem. Contact your pediatrician with any concerns.

Copyright © 2008. Used with permission from the May 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

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