21 month old twins still not walking - should I worry???

[stinkingbishop]

I have almost 21 month old twin girls. Have posted in Parenting about this but posting here too for some multiple experience!

They're STILL not walking. And have just fibbed (OK, lied!) to the HV on the phone saying oh yes, they started a few weeks ago...And maybe that was wrong of me, because they do actually need looking at, but I just didn't want the hassle. And 99% of me thinks, have you ever met a non-disabled adult who couldn't walk...no...so they'll do it in their own good time.

One has crawled for the best part of a year, and one bottom shuffles. There's nothing physically wrong with them (both had their hips scanned at birth). They will walk when I hold their hands, even running and going backwards. They'll stand holding onto furniture and edge along. They'll also walk with their bricks trolley.

Should I worry? Will it just happen in good time? I know twins and bottom shufflers tend to be later. But how much later? They're almost two!

I'm wondering whether the fact they've left it so long isn't helping. They're cerebrally much more developed than they were at one eg understand a bit about cause and effect. They get worried when they're standing holding furniture about sitting/falling down, and the 'bump' so is that it?

The two ladies who replied on the Parenting thread said I should take them to the GP. Should I?

[AryaofhouseSnark]

Yes, I would. It could even be a balance problem if they don't seem confident doing it by themselves.
Good luck hope you get it sorted.

[Foxtailsoup]

Hello - I have b/g twins now almost three. My daughter walked confidently by 18 months, but my son was like your two - he would walk (unsteadily) holding a hand, and cruise around the furniture but didn't walk on his own at all till two days after his 2nd birthday. I was tearing my hair out, and we did everything we could to encourage him but he seemed to struggle with balance and just didn't like falling down. GP thought he was fine but referred him to a consultant who basically said that if he can walk holding a hand, then it's just a matter of time (also x-rayed hips, which were fine).

We couldn't believe it when he just got up and walked one day, out of nowhere... He's still a bit slow and wobbly for his age, but he's come on terrifically well in the last six months.

I would say take them to the GP if you're concerned (it put my mind at rest to do it, even if it didn't solve the problem, iyswim), but when it happens it happens. It was a worry, and the pressure from other well-meaning parents didn't help!

[ladythatlunches]

Hi my twins are 2 tomorow. One walks and one doesnt! She knee walks.

Its.so frustrating

[toomuchpink]

They're probably fine, particularly if other skills such as talking have come along no problem. But I think it would put your mind at ease if you talked to someone, eg GP or HV, rather than pretending. I know the daughter of a friend of mine did not walk at two, but was an expert bottom shuffler. The paediatrician bounced around his office on his bum and said: look I can do everything I want like this, I don't need to walk. Her DD1 walked in her own good time.

[Tistheseasontobedramatic]

My DD walked across the room at 18mth and then didn't walk again for another 3mth. I think she just wasn't ready. Once she started there was no stopping her. She is a healthy almost 11yr old ballerina

[AryaofhouseSnark]

Sorry just re read my post and it didn't come across as intended, I wouldn't worry, but would get it checked out just to rule out anything and for your peace of mind.

[stinkingbishop]

Okey doke. On the New Year to do list then. Who knows, Xmas may inspire them .

[JenniferClarissa]

A friend of mine had a late walker. She was told by a specialist that if her daughter didn't walk by 18 months she wouldn't walk until after 24 months, because children have so much other developing to do in that time period. This held true for her, so I wouldn't worry too much (though I can understand your concern).

[LifeOfPee]

Is that 21 months corrected or actual age?

Are they weight-bearing? Sounds like they are which is a good indicator everything is OK, they're just a bit late on the walking front.

Couldn't hurt to pop along to baby clinic in the new year just to have them checked over though.

[stinkingbishop]

21 since birth so 19 1/2 actual...They're weight bearing, yes.