18 months not walking

[gaelle79]

I'm really worried about my DD.
She's 18 months, been cruising for 4 months now, can
stand on her own for a minute or two but can't take more
than 2 steps unassisted. She still has little balance when we
hold her by one hand. She can walk well when held by both hands
or with a pusher.

What i read online is so awful. It boils down to a choice between intellectual
disability and nerological/genetical disorder.
I spent the last 2 days watching her like a hawk, perticulary her hands to see
if she could have Rett syndrom.

Am I right to be this worried ?

[Mrscog]

She sounds completely normal to me - it would be more concerning if she wasn't cruising/standing at all but all of that is within the range of normal. Your HV wouldn't refer you until 2 for not walking.

Step away from google and get in soft play doing loads of different gross motor activity. It will come.

[Frazzled2207]

Talk to your hv but I don't think it's necessarily a cause for concern. My niece did not walk at all until 22 months. She's now at high school and a great athlete. And normal in every way.

[AntigoneJones]

I think my daughter was similar at that age. Then when she started walking at last, she was away.
She did have mild learning difficulties though I have never connected the two issues tbh.

[AntigoneJones]

In fact now I think of it, she was not doing as much as your daughter is doing, at the same age.
She is 18 now and riding horses like a pro.
Please try not to worry too much.

[EsmesBees]

Sounds like she's almost there. Mine was a late walker but once she got the idea she took off much faster than some of her peers who started earlier. Plus she missed out the stage where she fell over all the time, so hopefully yours will do the same.

[tinypop4]

To be honest op she sounds like she is going to walk any minute. If she is weight bearing, cruising and standing. Unaided you don't need to worry- she's just being more cautious then average. Loads of children don't work till 18months or even later and are fine.

[MrsMoastyToasty]

DSIS did not start walking until she was 3 years old. DM used bribery! She plonked my DSIS leaning against a wall then stood a few steps away with DSIS favourite sweets in her open palm .DSIS had to walk the half dozen steps to get them. She did and walked from then on .
We did later discover that DSIS is deaf and balance issues often go hand in hand with deafness.

[BendingSpoons]

She definitely sounds on the way to walking. Are you worried about other areas of her development? If it's just walking, it sounds like she is just being a bit slower in that area. I didn't walk until 19 months and was referred to a physio at 18 months (30 years ago, and I randomly didn't use one of my arms to play with). I started walking before the physio appointment. Hopefully your DD will start walking in the next few weeks.

[SillySausage1]

Is she meeting other milestones? How is her langauge/fine motor/eating/interest in toys/etc? Not walking at 18 months is highly unlikely to be a sign of anything of concern unless accompanied by other delays. Speak to your HV to get some reassurance but really try not to worry. It's far far more likely that she is simply a late walker. Plenty of children are and you wouldn't know by the time they are school age.

[tattiehat]

I wouldn't worry too much (although I know how hard it is to take that advice), my DD didn't walk until 19m, was cruising for months prior, she was prem and in hospital for 3 months so was 17m corrected when she walked.

I'm sure your DD will be off and walking soon but I know how hard it is when other kids much younger are toddling away.

[MrsJayy]

1 of mine took 2 steps away from the sofa at 16 months and nothing till 2 months later please stop goggiling get her to your Gp if you are worried but as a pp suggested lots of climbing etc at soft play will help her balance,

[daydreamnation]

I'd stay away from google! As long she's developing well otherwise, I really wouldn't worry! My ds was well over 2 before he walked, he's now a long lanky 12 year old and the fastest runner I've seen!

[Pansiesandredrosesandmarigolds]

That all sounds very normal.

[gaelle79]

She's on track with fine motor (can feed herself with a spoon, draw a line with a pen...) but she's also delayed in language (she has 5/6 words) and will point at things and say (that, that...)
I thought about ASD but autism doesn't explain late walking and she doesn't fit the triad.
she was born full term but with mild SGA.
Either of those delays wouldn't concern me that much but having both ...
We have an appointment with a developmental PD soon

[AntigoneJones]

what is SGA? is it 'small for gestational age'? my daughter was the same, being a twin.
She caught up, and I am sure yours will too .

[mrwalkensir]

None of ours walked til 18 months - same as their mother. Just genes in our case.

[Mrscog]

5/6 words and pointing asking for 'that' not remotely delayed for 18 months either. Are you in the UK? That wouldn't get a referral here.

[MrsJayy]

Why are you worried about ASD just because she isn't walking i dont want to sound condescending but are you usually so anxious

[tessiebear4]

Pointing with a few words is perfectly on track for 18 months I thought?

[cestlavielife]

Get her a physio assessment if worries
My dd walked after 2 due to hypermobile joints she is top grade student
My d's walked after 2 and has other issues as well

[gaelle79]

Yes SGA stands for small for gestational age. She was 2.4 kg at 38 weeks

We live in Paris. I had to fight for a referral but we have an appointment in 3 weeks.

I'm a really pessimistic person and that pisses my relatives a lot. Motherhood's not helping at all :)

I used to stay up at night just to be sure she was still breathing, not choking on anything...
Guess I'm the one who need therapy

[SillySausage1]

Her language doesn't sound delayed at all. She sounds like a totally normal child who is simply a bit slow to walk. Honestly, you really don't need to worry.

[SillySausage1]

And it sounds like you are a lovely, caring parent. Worrying is normal! But if you feel it's affecting your ability to enjoy your daughter then maybe mention your anxiety levels at the appointment or with your own doctor. Do you have friends nearby?

[MrsJayy]

I think maybe you should speak to your Gp about your anxiety lovey it seems through the roof, hopefully her appointment will put your mind at ease though, googiling symptoms and constant worry must be really stressful.

[cestlavielife]

there is a whole range of reasons why a child may be a little late walking . and she isn't really awfully late, so far. if she cannot balance well yet, still it doesn't immediately say huge disability.

some causes may be "awful" but even then you would deal with it. one step at a time.

look at what she can do right now, her play skills, her enjoyment of life etc.

more likely it is nothing entirely awful; may be nothing at all, or could be something helped by physio eg if she has hypermobile joints.

let the paed do a full review and then take next steps.

what does she enjoy, does she smile, laugh, what is her favourite food? what is her favourite toy? write down everything you love about her. that wont change .