17 months still not walking....any advice?

[Scoyle2304]

Hello.
Just wanted to ask if anyone is having similar problems with their LO?
She's 17 months and is able to stand up and cruise around the furniture. She also grabs our hands and will walk, aided but only when she wants to (I must stress this, she is quite strong willed) She doesn't wear shoes in the house as I read without them can help with balance. She will push a pram and trolley around the room no problems, but that's it.
We do a lot of encouragement to try and make her let go so she will walk unaided but she is having none of it.
We are now trying to walk with her outside but this is where she won't do it, she makes herself fall to the floor and then wants to crawl or won't move. Not wanting to practice at all.
She was very poorly as a baby and was in and out of hospital for some pretty major operations. It all seems to be back to normal now but I'm not sure whether this has had a knock on effect. She's very heavy now so want her to walk to help my arms and back out
Any advice or tips would be great.
Thanks x

[FurryGiraffe]

DS2 was like this: lots of cruising, could walk holding hands, but had very firm ideas about when and where he'd do it (he is very very strong willed)! He would practice when he wanted to but not otherwise. He then went through a phase of walking a bit when he thought we weren't looking: soon as he realised we were watching he'd fall to the floor! He did this at home and at nursery. He started walking properly two weeks ago, aged exactly 18 months. He's now running around everywhere and very steady on his feet. Ultimately, I don't think there's much you can do: she'll do it when she's ready. It sounds like she's quite close so the chances are it will be soon. I sympathise over the having to carry them everywhere though: DS2 is a titch at only 9kg but even that I find tiresome.

[LongDivision]

We had some success with creating motivation to cross a small gap. So if she is cruising the sofa, put a table behind her that is just a step or two out of reach, and put an interesting toy on the table. She is already standing up, so she might be tempted to take a step to cross over to the table. I think in general, though, it's hard to get them to do it before they are ready!

[Scoyle2304]

Thanks Ladies, I'm glad it's not just us with the late walker. Start to think all kind of problems are going on.
We've tried the table thing with chocolate as she loves it but just got to the end of the sofa, then dropped to her bum and crawled to the table 🙄. I think I just have a very stubborn, strong willed baby....probably gets it from me 😂 x

[Smellyjo]

My little one didn't walk until 16/17 months which was later than all her baby pals, but was really verbal and still is. I kind of knew not to worry, she'd do it in her own time, but it was hard not to fret a little. Now I think she is just more of a talker personality wise and it played a part.

[JKCR2017]

It’s not uncommon and she will walk eventually, believe me!!

At 18 months DD was still not walking. I took her to see the health visitor who claimed they don’t refer for late walking until the child is 2. (Used to be 18 months I believe). I was so convinced DD had something wrong with her. She could cruise just didn’t want to walk.

She finally walked at 20/21 months. Very late I know but she did it.

My sister didn’t walk until 21 months, she’s now a very healthy active, clever teenager!

[wapsmahoney]

My niece is 2.5yrs and gas only just started walking on her own!
My DB and SIL took her to so many doctors, physics etc and they all said the same, there is nothing physically stopping her from walking, just keep encouraging her and she will do it in her own time!

Eventually when they stopped making a big thing out of it she started doing it and now you can’t stop her!

I’m sure she will walk when she is ready ... but good luck!!! 😊

[Fiona1984]

Is she your first DC? My eldest niece didn't walk until 18 months, I don't think she even crawled either. Her little sister was earlier at 11 months. They followed the same pattern as me and their mum; my older sister was about 18 months, whereas I was 10 months, and the age gap was 2/3 years so quite similar.

[Mynd]

My 2nd DD didn't walk til 18mo. Like yours, she walked happily holding our finger, or cruising, but she refused point blank to let go. She never crawled either. I still feel that it was because she's grown up on a boat and the floor is unsteady, also there's no real space to 'get going' in. But whatever the reason, she let go one day and walked really steadily. No toddling and falling over. Straight from nothing to perfect. I'd say wait another month, but maybe get her hips and joint checked out for hypermobility.

[brookeberry]

Our LO was exactly the same! Just cruising until around 18 months and then very gradually started walking independently. He was the last one to need shoes at nursery but it didn't worry me. He was perfectly happy. Now at 20 months he runs everywhere and it can be a nightmare outside!

[Firework1]

I have two boys. I had the same concerns as you, DS1 walked at 21months, ds2 at 23months!