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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

nearly 17 months and refuses to walk!

15 replies

kate7 · 05/04/2007 12:14

My dd is nearly 17 months and has been cruising the furniture since 12 months, and since approx 15 months has taken a few solo steps, she can stand alone without support and get to her feet without pulling up on anything, but if she is encouraged to walk she shakes her head, sits down and crawls to us!! She did once take 13 steps in one go, a few weeks ago, but doesn't seem to be progressing despite loads of encouragement. She is a very quick crawler and I think she favours that as it is still easier and more effective for her!! I'm not sure if I'm right to be worried, or am I being too impatient with her apparent lack of progress?? My oldest walked at 14 months btw. Anyone have any ideas????

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hunkermunker · 05/04/2007 12:17

DS1 didn't walk till he was 17m - she sounds like she'll get there soon, so don't stress about it. If they can crawl really well, I think there's less incentive for them to walk as they can get about very well - def the case for DS1!

Mumpbump · 05/04/2007 12:18

I wouldn't worry about it. She obviously can do it which is the main thing, but just doesn't want to at the moment. I have no idea what motivates them to walk, other than copying everyone else, but I'm sure she'll do it in time.

wheelsonthebus · 05/04/2007 12:18

my dd didn't walk til she was 21.5 months. she wasn't even cruising very much. i would hang on - it will happen v shortly

motherinferior · 05/04/2007 12:19

DD1 didn't walk till that age either. She does sound as if she knows what to do, just doesn't fancy it...I wouldn't worry for the time being.

DD1 now walks for miles.

kate7 · 05/04/2007 12:21

thanks for that, I have read lots of stuff on here about late walkers so I know it's very common, but I can't help worrying, not to mention she is getting really heavy now too!! I think I am more concerned as she has so far matched her sister almost exactly in terms of when she has reached various milestones, except for this one!!

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eidsvold · 05/04/2007 12:22

my dd2 was like this - perfectly capable of walking but chose not to. Around 18 months she just took off and hasn't looked back - we had none of the stumbles etc that hesitant walkers have. She just decided she was ready and off she went. At almost 2 1/2 she now walks for ages.

kate7 · 05/04/2007 12:33

thanks so much for all your replies, I probably need to stop stressing about this!! I'm sure I'm just worrying because I keep on being asked by friends and family "isn't she walking yet"!! It doesn't help, even though I'm sure they mean well!

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saralou100 · 05/04/2007 12:36

ds1 walked at 18 months.... finally

he did just what your dd did, then one day just decided to start walking and then their was no stpping him... wouldn't even get in his pushchair after that!

TeeCee · 05/04/2007 12:38

My friend was just about to rush her 18 month old off to a specialist and he suddenly decided he would walk. Nothing majorly unusual in a 17 month old still cruising. She has taken steps and is cruising so it won't be long now. Enjoy the peace while it lasts!

lackofgravitas · 05/04/2007 12:45

I was asked 'is she walking?' by a complete stranger when DD was 13 months and not crawling yet, I was so upset. I now realise that later walking (16 months in her case, while my friend's little girl was 19 months) just means a lot fewer bumps and scrapes as they wobble about for a much shorter period than earlier walkers.

TeeCee · 05/04/2007 13:04

My DD was properly off and running at 10 months and it was a nightmare. Her was physically ready but not mentally. Fell of the bed when she ran off the end of it, down the stairs. Fell over and walked into corners of tables etc all the time! She's 15 months now and has matured so much in those 5 months. Your DD knows what she's doing, she's doing it the right way round!

suzi2 · 05/04/2007 13:26

Sounds like your DD is physically capable so I wouldn't worry. Will she walk with a pushalong toy? If so, try getting her to help you push her own pushchair or the shopping trolley. DS LOVES to push the shopping trolley for me!

motherinferior · 05/04/2007 14:13

I felt genuinely inferior when babies from my antenatal group were running and DD1 was still lounging around on her beautiful bottom.

kate7 · 05/04/2007 14:24

Yet more reassurance from you all, thank you so much. Yes dd is pushing walkers, a toy pram and her own pushchair very happily, I hadn't thought about it but I could always take her toy pram out with us so she can practice out of the house too. Apparently at nursery she also pushes a walker round loads as well. I suppose I should get some proper shoes for her though, I was going to wait a bit longer but it does mean she can't do any toddling at all when we are out and about, and maybe doing that with the rest of us walking with her outside might encourage her.

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GillL · 05/04/2007 16:50

dh's cousin's girls didn't walk til they were 2. I wouldn't worry, she'll do it when she wants to.

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