Gross motor skills delays

Gross motor skills delays are something to watch for when it comes to your baby, but you shouldn't panic if you spot a delay since babies develop at different rates. If you have a preemie you should be counting milestones from your due date, not the actual day your baby was born (up until about 2 years of age). The following gross motor skills delays are possible red flags, but don't always mean something bad. It could just be that your baby is going to learn that particular skill a little later than some other babies. If you spot some gross motor skill delays talk to your baby's pediatrician about it. Possible red flags related to baby gross motor skills include:

• Your baby has little to no head control or can't roll over on his own by 7 months.
• Your baby can't sit up unassisted by 9 months.
• Your baby needs help and support to stand up after 12 months.
• Your baby is not walking by 18 months.

NOTE that skipping the crawling stage is not considered a red flag issue. Many babies never crawl. That said one major red flag to watch out for is if your baby favors one side of her body - for example dragging one side of her body when crawling or always favors one side of her body more than the other when walking.