Twins Development

Hi everyone...I'm a new father of twins (boy and girl) who just turned 9 months last week. We've been very fortunate with our two in that they have been very healthly throughout their first nine months for the most part, but I have some concerns about some aspects of their development. My wife thinks I am worrying needlessly, and maybe I am, but I was hoping for some feedback from those of you who may have experienced this. Our twins were born at 37 1/2 weeks, and we made it to the date that the dr scheduled for the Caesarean (so they were not preemies). Our daughter started crawing in the last couple of weeks, and she has been babbling (repeating syllables) for the past months or so. Our son though is content just to sit in one place, though he will occasionally make an effort to scoot forward on his behind. He is not even attempting to crawl. Also, he is just whining, and no babbling. Also, neither of them is doing many of the things that some of the baby books say they should have been doing at 7-9 months, such as transferring objects from hand to hand, pointing at objects, filling containers up with objects and other little various activities like that. We have given them a lot of developmental toys (perhaps too many) and am also wondering if maybe we have provided them with too much, rather than let them focus on one or two things at a time. They have had their 9 month appt and dr expressed some concern that our son was not babbling yet, but he felt like it was nothing to be overly worried about at this time. Anyway, I'm sure they're both fine and will develop in time, but just wondered what everyone else's experiences have been in this area? Thanks for the feedback. :love0028:

 

My girls are 9 months old now and very different. My girls do not point at things or fill things with other objects either! they
do get around (much to the dog and goldfish's dismay!) but Ava crawls and Addison scoots - they are no where near climbing and Ava babbles much more than Addison! In my experience boys are different than girls even at this young age.
- All kids develop at different times. At this age I would not worry - I think yours sound like they are doing just fine. I also have 3 other kids - all of which developed at different times - I have one son that didn't walk until he was 14 mos but babbled at 4 mos. and another who walked at 8 months but didn't even utter mama until he was 2 years old - . Books are great but they don't take into consideration that all kids are different and a lot of doctors don't either. It also makes a difference that these are your first kids - they don't have older siblings to watch and try to copy - all of my kids have learned by watching each other more than anything else. - these are your babies -all that worry just proves that you are a great daddy! but IMO your kids sound just fine! !


CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Heather

 

I had one who crawled around 7 months, but the other did not. However, the one who crawled last walked first, so go figure! Kids have a wide range of when they start things, you just notice more with two who are the exact same age. Enjoy the ride!

 

Congratulations on your babies! My advice would be to keep an eye on it and if you are still having concerns in another month or so, go back and ask for a referral to EI(Early Intervention). IF, and that is a big IF, he were to need therapies, the earlier they start the better. :sign0016: to the forum!

 

I am all in favor of early intervention. I would call your local office, we have an Easter Seals that does ei, and talk to someone. They will do a screening over the phone, and if they feel there is any delay and an evaluation is warranted they can schedule it with you. Most of the time the babies will catch up on their own, but it can never hurt to get a little extra help, in my opinion! When I brought mine in, they told me if there is a delay and they are not worked with and caught up in a certain amount of time, they may end up further delayed.
Hope this helps!
Helen

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Oct 28 2007, 11:16 AM) [snapback]470440[/snapback]
Congratulations on your babies! My advice would be to keep an eye on it and if you are still having concerns in another month or so, go back and ask for a referral to EI(Early Intervention). IF, and that is a big IF, he were to need therapies, the earlier they start the better. :sign0016: to the forum!


Welcome to Twinstuff!!

I ditto what Becky said. We ended up getting an EI evaluation for developmental concerns and it was reassuring to say the least to have the team come out, assess every single aspect of development and then give me a report of their progress.

I know for me personally, I have one that seems to drag out her development where the other one is only slightly delayed in some ways.

 

My girls are 9 mos. and were born at 37 1/2 weeks too. They do not point at things or "fill" things with toys etc. empty maybe - but not fill.... They are pretty mobile now - BUT Carley - who was born a minute after her sister - was rolling over both ways before Natalie even rolled one way. Natalie had 2 teeth about 2-3 weeks before Carley got any. She feeds herself now and Carley still doesn't quite get it. But they are both crawling - pulling to standing - babbling about the same. What I'm getting at is that every baby develops differently and I agree with that even though books may help - sometimes they can worry us. i also have heard that boys are a little "behind" the girls. I wouldn't worry too much. One morning you'll wake up and your Son will be keeping up with his sister. Welcome to TS - you sound like a wonderful and proud Daddy!!!