Baby milestones and genetics?

Question

are baby's reaching milestones based on genetics? my husband's family swears all the baby's in their family walk between 6-8 months. my daughter just turned 9 months and she has been pulling up on furniture for 2 months now and she takes the occasional unassisted step. i'm not worried about her but my husband's family calls her a late bloomer and acts like i'm not "teaching or helping her". isn't this a little ridiculous?

Answer 1

Very ridiculous. For a baby to be walking well between 6 and 8 months seems a bit early. I don't think genetics has a whole lot to do with is. My husband and I were both late bloomers...and I mean late. We were both a month or two behind almost every milestone, neither of us learned to walk til after 12 months. My daughter has been trying to walk since 9 months. She's 11 months now and is walking pretty well. So I think it's silly of them to expect your daughter to reach her milestones at the same rate their family did. Your daughter sounds right on track, so don't listen to what they say. She's definitely not a late bloomer.  

Answer 2

Late bloomer?  Are they SERIOUS??  I think you should politely inform them that she is not at ALL late, and that you'd appreciate it if they'd stop making comparisons.  All babies are different, and as a matter of fact, she is still advanced for her age.  I find it amusing, because my son's the same age, same level, and everyone I know tells me how advanced he is!! Funny, isn't it?

I'm glad you're not worried (sounds like you're much more in touch with reality than they are), but I'm sorry they're annoying you with this.  I'd be peeved and would say something, but that's up to you.  But really, for them to call her a late bloomer is just rude.  What will they say when she's older and understands them, are they going to try to undermine her self-esteem then?

Answer 3

Very ridiculous!!  I started walking at 9 months and I thought that was early.  My oldest son was 13 months.  I don't think genetics has much to do with milestones.

Answer 4

yes, they are out of line. Your daughter is right on time with the normal curve. Each baby is different. So while every baby in your husband family walked early doesn't mean your daughter will. I think your doctor would agree your daughter is progressing just fine. I wish you the best, and don't let the in-laws get to. Your doing everything right.  

Answer 5

Your daughter is perfectly normal. Very few babies can walk by 6 or 7 months... even 8. They are probably just exaggerating their stories.

Alyssa is 8 months old and she can't walk. She can only cruise one direction on the furniture and hasn't figured out how to come back the other way. I'm not the least bit concerned.

I'm sure all the babies on your husband's side of the family were speaking full sentences at 9 months and doing complex algebra at 10 months, right?