baby 19 months and still not walking

[lovemybabies3]

hi my daughter is 19 months old and a bum shuffler! she started walking around furniture and pulling herself up to stand and walk with her walker! when she walks both feet go outwards 90 degrees and her feet turn in! iv tried ringing health visitor, been waiting for her to ring me back! that was 2 weeks ago, iv rang inbetween for them to just say ill pass the msg on! i just dont no what to do! my daughter is getting so frustrated wanting to do what her older siblings are doing an just screams all the time! its now stopped me from taking them the park and she is getting that bad screaming! feel so useless, just dont no what to do

[AshesEmbersFlames]

If your HV isn't calling you back and you're concerned your DD may have a physical problem that means she is unable to walk yet then you need to make an appointment with your GP and get her checked out.

[BarbarianMum]

Go see your gp. She is obviously getting there but someone needs to check her hips and limbs and joints to see that there is nothing like hypermobility going on.

[lovemybabies3]

thanks she had her hips checked at her 1 yr review, as i was concerned then as she would never attempt to stand and i felt there was something wrong but i was assured her hips were fine! she does seem double jointed or very flexible not sure on the right term to use! i will try health visitor again tomorrow and ask to speak with someone else if she is not available! then go to my doctor! my health visitor said she would refer to physio when 20 months but couldnt do it before then!

[Shootingstar2289]

Had the same thing with my DD (2 tomorrow!). She didn't take her first steps until 20 months. She can walk now but still lacks confidence doing so.

I took her to see the health visitor at 19 months who said they now they only refer if child isn't walking at 2... I was still concerned and I took her to the Gp who said they can't do anything - go through HV.

My DD crawled but she is also very flexible and her left leg doesn't seem right to me. When she walks her left leg seems to drag behind and her left foot points outwards. Right leg and foot seems okay. No health visitor will take me seriously and they keep telling me that she is just catching up like all toddlers do but I'm not so convinced.

My answer isn't very helpful. But I'm sure your daughter will walk soon like mine did. But I would keep on at the health visitor for some more advice.

My DD is being referred to a pedaticrian as of other concerns related to speech and development so I will mention the foot/leg then. I'm hoping they will take me seriously.

Good luck to you.

[Shootingstar2289]

And your daughter of course! 😊

[BarbarianMum]

The very flexible joints sounds like it might be hypermobility to me (not that I'm a doctor or anything). My brother had this a bit and had to wear very study boots that went up to his ankles until he was 3 or so. Also special heel guards inside them to make sure his foot was held in the right position. His mobility was fine ad he hot older though.

[Janek]

My dd walked at 21 months, you'd never know now that she's 8. And she's a pretty fast runner, despite the late start.

[lovemybabies3]

yes iv been told by few people that doctors will just send me back to health visitor!
its so frustrating! for her and for me! she looks so uncomfortable when walking and its more her left leg/foot also! it might be that she just needs to catch up! but iv googled aswel and people have said about getting special shoes that will help her feet stay the right way! thanksfor your replys and good luck with your little one!

[MadeForThis]

We had exactly the same thing. 18 months. Feet out and leaning heavily on insoles. Seems to drag left leg. Swing it rather than step with it. Great at cruising and holding hands walking but very wobbly.

Spoke to gp at 18 months. Referred to physio who wouldn't look as hip X-ray was within normal limits.

Gp advised private physio. He watched her walk and said that she had loose ligaments in left hip. Would strengthen itself. Physio wouldn't intervene until 2.5 or 3.

DD now 21 months and walking a few steps. Learning to stand alone and balance.

Worth getting looked at for peace of mind but be prepared to be told to wait and see.

Good luck

[demirose87]

Hi my DD didn't walk til 22 months and was referred to physio. Shes 3 and a half now and still struggles to keep up and still needs a pram even though she can walk. She still attends physio every month or so. So speak to your GP or HV and you will receive some support. Don't worry though, some children are just slightly behind others and will catch up in their own time.

[demirose87]

Should mention as well my DD has hypermobility and delayed in all areas.

[cestlavielife]

Call the community paediatric physio and self refer
Also the community podiatrist who can see if she neeeds insoles
But physio is first port of call.
Just ask go to give you the number or to refer you to the local paediatric community physiotherapist for assessment
She may need need insoles or sturdy boots ..they used to come on nhs Piedro boots

[lovemybabies3]

thanks for your replys! how do i self refer to physio? i will definitly do this if i have no luck getting hold of health visitor today.

[ladynaomi]

If you can afford it just phone a private physio and make an appointment. First apt is longer usually £45-£60, subsequent appointments cheaper. NHS physio takes weeks, and this is quite important! If the physio diagnoses a problem you can always get them to write a letter which you take to your GP, to try to get NHS physio for subsequent sessions, but at least you'll know where you stand (no pun intended).

Hope it resolves soon whatever it is. Xx

[Llamacorn]

My youngest didn't walk until she was 23 months, she's hypermobile and needed physio and orthotic shoes. She's 8 now and has been diagnosed with autism, her delay in walking was apparently a red flag.

A lot of bum shufflers do walk later than babies who crawl, but it is worth getting your dd checked out just in case anything is going on with her hips/joints.

Your hv sounds crap btw! We can't self refer to paediatric physios here, but I've found the best people to speak to are the paediatric occupational therapy, they can see you quickly and refer elsewhere too. Ours work from the local hospital so they are easy to reach via the switchboard and they have been nothing but helpful with us. Worth a try to see if you can speak to them in your area. Good luck!