Can you describe how he is “on the slow side with his gross motor skills”? What is he doing, gross motor-wise? Also, there is so much MORE communication with a respectful approach because we recommend engaging with infants as whole people from birth. Here’s more on that: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2012/06/ten-best-ways-to-encourage-toddlers-to-talk/

However, I am starting to wonder if maybe I have taken it too far. He’s on the slow side with his gross motor skills and I’m starting to feel like urge to help him stand, like all the other parents I see. What I’m more worried about though, is that in a recent health check he was flagged as behind on his communication, which is making me feel guilty that I don’t talk to him enough while he is playing. I have also been advised to keep verbally labeling things he’s playing with. This doesn’t sit right with me as I don’t want to interrupt his concentration and risk his independent play skills! Any advice on how to balance the two?

I was with her for the two hours and, you’re right, it was rare experience for her to be content for so long.

One obviously would address a child screaming in pain or communicating anything at all. It’s strange to me that people can only see such extremes and all the nuances are completely missed. And for sure, not everyone resonates with this approach. A surprising (to me) amount of people do resonate with it, though, and my resources are for them.

agreed that leaving baby to play by themselves for 2 hours does not sound realistic to me at all. A lot of RIE stuff is pretty aspirational. Most babies don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time, in my experience. I’ve found that they most enjoy just laying on their backs when they’re outside, or at least by a window. Staring at the ceiling probably isn’t going to work.
FWIW, Montessori recommends using mobiles from a very young age. And obviously attachment parenting people will tell you that babies want to be held most (all?) of the time (which in my experience is closer to the truth). With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know what to do. My solution is to go with what works. I don’t think hanging a mobile over his playgym will squash your future Michelangelo’s creativity. And as any mom with a fussy baby knows, sometimes popping baby in a sling and going on a nice, long walk is the only thing that keeps them happy. Try different things. If baby is screaming as if in pain, that’s probably a sign that lying alone on the floor isn’t an enjoyable experience for them.

This is very interesting. All I wanted is to put my infant down and let him be a bit alone, so I could eat or pee…there was very little time my baby wanted to just lie there, especially on his back…lying there for two hours!? Not a chance ever in all his baby life – he was not that kinda baby. I think babies are so so different and have different needs and I wish someone had told me you have a baby that wants to be carried everywhere all the time and thats totally normal and just be in this. Some babies dont wanna lay down on their back bc it makes them feel like an abandoned turtle! Nobody ever tells you this and then people say leave your baby alone – I wish I could!!

I feel similarly. It is really hard with a baby who is so uncomfortable with independent play!

I agree with Laura!