Is “first child syndrome” a thing?

Question

My MIL insists that her first born my SO developed really slowly like with walking, talking, holding head up, sitting up, etc. because of first child syndrome. The theory I guess is that the oldest develops the slowest because they have no other kids around them to see how to do things whereas the next child and children after that continue to develop quicker because they watch their other siblings grow. The theory sounds like it would make sense except for that it doesn’t.. I’ve never noticed this issue in other families. My son who is my first seems to be developing early then most babies his age and my mom said with my sister that she was pretty on time with everything and talked really early. And almost ever other first child I have known about their development it was fairly standard. So it kind of seems like a bunch of bullshit to me.

Answer

Every child is different my niece is baby #2 and she didn't walk until 14 months. Kids develop language skills sometimes faster if they play with kids slightly older because they want to play, but only sometimes.

Answer

My first 2 walked independently by 9mos, my third not until 16. Each child is an individual.

Answer

It was the opposite in my family. I’m the first born, I was walking by 8.5 months and talking pretty soon after. My brother cake two years later and was super lazy. He didn’t walk until after 1 and started talking even later. My mother thinks he didn’t talk because I did all of his talking for him and I always brought him the stuff he wanted so he never had to walk to go get it.

Answer

No! My first was walking by 8 months, carrying on a full conversations by 1.

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my first was ahead of the curve.   my second liked to sleep too much so he did things much later.   all kids are different and have their own pace.  birth order makes no difference.

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My first born was walking by 9 months And Is 18 months now and already knows all of his letters, shapes, colors and numbers up to 20. Every child is completely different

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My oldest development was "ahead" for babies her age. So no I don't think it's a thing

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Nope. My first was the first grand child in our family and was watched by adults until a year and half old. Her speech and social skills far surpassed every child in her daycare when she started at a year and half old. At 6 she is over excelling in school and her teacher offered to move her up to first grade early. She has always been a very well behaved child. Physical milestones were also above the average age. I dont believe it has anything to do with being the first at all. Every child develops differently, and at their own pace. My second now is actually developing quicker than my first and I think its because of watching her sister and nephew. 
Every situation is different.

Answer

Sounds like a scapegoat excuse she tells herself for her son. Some kids just do things slowly. That same child could grow up to be the next Pulitzer Prize winner, while the children who reached all their 1 year milestones by 6 months...that may be the only great thing they ever do. So yeah she’s full of it, but it seriously does not matter one bit.

Answer

No. My first son did everything super fast.

Is “first child syndrome” a thing?

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