8 month old not hitting milestones, high pitched crying, small for age, poor eating

I have an 8 month old boy who is only 14 pounds - some days he only drinks 10 or 11 ounces of formula all day.  Not too interested in solids and chokes/gags on it sometimes.  He has a high pitched cry/shriek that can be unbearable and lasts anywhere from 1 minute to an hour or more!  Nothing I do consoles him!  He hates being on his belly and he does not bear weight on his arms or try to push up to look around or crawl.  He also hates standing and never seems to put much weight on his legs - most times in a standing position his legs just collapse under him!  He makes eye contact and will smile, but most times just seems irritable - babbles occasionally saying "da" and "ba" noises, but most of his sounds are grunts and cries/moans.  He wants to be held all the time and screams when I put him down.  Are these signs of CP or something else?  Pediatrician has expressed concern that "something" could be wrong, but no tests have been completed.  

[crabby70]

I would take him to a different doctor....He needs to be in therapy....and you need to know what is going on with your little one...best of luck

[Swampfoxer]

I agree with crabby70 - take him to a different doctor.  If he is not doing his milestones such as sitting, crawling, and rolling over... don't try getting him to walk.  He needs to go at his own pace and be stimulated to reach the milestones in his own time.  A pediatrician specializing in infant delays would be the best bet and Physical Therapy to stretch and strengthen his limbs.  Watch what the Physical Therapists do and do it at home.  You can enjoy this time with him by learning Sign Language and speaking at the same time.  Simple signing such as Mom, Dad, hungry, food, eat, drink, play, in, out, etc.  Don't fret over verbal delays - a youngster I know with several Scholarships in his first year of College didn't speak a word until he was 5.  Signing can be done with all children, hearing and hearing impaired.  They will often sign words before speaking them.  As for the muscular delays, that could be a different story.  He needs those muscles exercisized in the crawling manner... put wanted toys just outside his reach.  

[mommyofnathan]

Hi,  you need to get your son to a specialist a.s.a.p.  the incessant crying is something not to be ignored.  Insist on physiotherapy although until his irritation and incessant crying is sorted out, I doubt if physio will help right now.  It is however very important for you to start with testing.  Genetic testing, certain neurometabolic diseases etc.  Dont assume CP until all the other things are excluded.  If this doctor does not take you seriously, please look for another one.  Childrens brains are "plastic" and should there be a problem, it needs to be rectified/rehabilitated/treated as soon as you possibly can.  The outcome is so much better when you start early.  Good luck

[anna112]

Don't waste no time. Get to a specialist asap. My daughter had very similuar issues espacially with the cries, baring weight, tummy time. Start therapy fast. For a year I was told that there was nothing wrong but in the mean time my daughter got pt, ot, speech and special ed since she was 5 months old. My daughter is now 13 months and was diagnosed with cp a month ago. Therapy helpsssssssssssss alot. My daughter is behind in a lot of things but slowly catching up. Get help fast