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Behaviour/development

16 month old....still not walking

18 replies

mrcandmre · 09/04/2007 12:25

I'm sure you've all heard it a thousand times before, but any advice is much appreciated.

My youngest boy has just turned 16 months, he was a little late in crawling i.e 12 months, and was 14 months for pulling himself up and cruising the furniture.

I hate to compare, but my eldest walked at 11 months.
I don't feel I have done anything different this time round, just maybe that I have a little less time due to obviously having them both now.

He has no urge to walk, even between the smallest of gaps he will get down and crawl.
In other parts of his development he is very good. He plays, babbles, says mama, dada, dinner. He eats well etc.
Am I just worrying too much? Is it worth booking him in with the health visitor?

Thanks for reading

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cheekymonk · 09/04/2007 16:07

Hi there, Don't punish yourself that it is your fault because you spent less time with him or whatever that he is not walking. My ds walked at 16mths and he was my first and I did everything books etc said but he just went at own pace! Maybe book him in with hv just to reassure yourself that there is no real problem.
I take it there are no health problems or anything?
Best of luck and TRY not to worry.

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adath · 09/04/2007 16:09

I wouldn't worry he is crawling and cruising the furniture he will walk in hiw own time.
I have found ds reaches things later than dd did and I reckin as she was the first she had to get moving to look for her entertainment where ds has constants entertainment from right where he is sitting.
There is far more going on in the house to amuse him that there was dd.

Honestly you have no worries they all do it in their own time and when they all start school nobody will know or care who walked at 9 months and who walked at 2 years.
I would not worry about seeing the HV he is fine and stop worrying woman

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BandofMothers · 09/04/2007 16:21

Don't worry my dd1 was just very laif back. She didn't crawl until her first birthday, at her party actually. And walked at 19 mths.
They're all different, he's just taking his time.

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BandofMothers · 09/04/2007 16:22

laid back

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lucyellensmum · 09/04/2007 16:45

i agree with the others, mine was about 17m before she started walking from being a bum shuffler. She didnt really do the cruising thing and looked for a while like she wasnt going to walk, then within a few weeks she was as mobile as the best of them.

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LucyJones · 09/04/2007 16:50

My ds didn't walk until 21 months, he crawled at one. Don't worry

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Pannacotta · 09/04/2007 17:02

My DS was 17 months before he started walking.
Dont worry and enjoy him still not being too mobile!

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Elasticwoman · 09/04/2007 17:24

As other posters have indicated, many normal babies are not yet walking at 16 months and go on to walk when they are ready.

But, the child of a friend of mine was a late walker and turned out to have mild cerebral palsy, affecting one ankle and to a lesser extent one arm. It was only when the child did start walking, at 16/17 mos, that the list to one side was noticeable and the condition diagnosed. Mental development was unaffected.

I think you have nothing to lose by getting him checked out.

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TuttiFrutti · 09/04/2007 19:21

Mrcandmre, there is another thread on here called "least mobile baby in the nursery" where several people have posted about their babies' late walking, including me (my ds at 23 months is only now beginning to walk).

16 months is not particularly late. I know several children who have walked later than that, and my niece didn't walk till after her second birthday.

You say you don't think you have done anything different this time round. I'm sure you haven't - late walking is not the parent's fault, as I never tire of pointing out , it is just how that particular child is made.

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PrincessPeaHead · 09/04/2007 19:26

my ds1 was 19.5 months!!
he was a second baby as well. he just had his sister running around after him and he couldn't see the point.

my dd2 is also a bit late - 14.5 months and really only cruising. Is he big (ie heavy)? I think it takes the heavy ones longer. Both of my two were/are big children - my other two are smaller and walked quicker at about 13 months.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

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motherinferior · 09/04/2007 19:29

My older daughter - older and small - didn't get round to walking for ages and ages. She sat around on her pretty little tush.

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bunjies · 09/04/2007 19:38

I have 3 children and they were all different when it came to walking. Ds walked at 14 months, dd1 at 20 months and dd2 at 12 months. You really have nothing to worry about. It's when they start walking that you have to worry

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Waswondering · 09/04/2007 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrcandmre · 11/04/2007 11:47

Thank you for all your advice...I feel so much better now.
It's just that when you don't know anyone, friends or family, with kids you start thinking all sorts. Esp when books give you all these silly guidelines

Thanks

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Smithagain · 11/04/2007 13:38

DD1 walked at 17.5 months. I was a bit concerned at 16 months, too.

Ten weeks later, she can now climb up to the top of our 8ft high climbing frame and slide down the (very fast) slide all on her own. Now THAT'S worrying!!!!!

Try not to worry and enjoy the advantages while they last.

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MKG · 11/04/2007 14:01

Mine walked at 17 months to the day.

There was no great attempt he just got up and did it like it was no big deal and had been doing it forever.

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fibernie · 14/04/2007 20:22

My DD not walking at nearly 16months and just started to pull up on furniture this week. Crawled at 13months. Her dad walked at 19months. She's no teeth yet either, first two just on their way.
Don't worry, like others say, plenty other stuff to worry about later when they start running about and have no fear!

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busybusybusy · 14/04/2007 20:33

Sounds normal, but I'd have a check up anyway just for reassurance.

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