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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Almost 1 year old does not weight bear

21 replies

imamumgetmeouttahere · 06/08/2026 16:12

My DC who is 1 beginning of next month does not weight bear at all. They have been crawling for a month and drags across the floor like an army crawl on their front using upper body, not using their legs at all.

If we try and get them to weight bear, they just flop or will
lift legs up.

I’m getting more and more worried, they have their 1 year review in a couple of weeks and I’m stressing over this.

Our first DC was crawling using hands and knees at 9 months, cruising at 10 months and walked independently at 13 months.

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Jadebanditchillipepper · 06/08/2026 23:29

My eldest two children didn't walk until they were 19 months. My first crawled at 13 months and my second at 11 months. They started weight bearing probably three months before they started walking, so this is in the realms of normal.

My eldest runs marathons now

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 23:21

I'd be worried but all mine were early movers, late talkers. Is he developing well in other areas? How's his fine motor skills? How much time does he spend in a container vs loose on the floor?

I'd probably go to a paeds physio just for a once over and to check muscle tone etc. They're about £300 for an initial assessment though so not cheap.

JaceLancs · 06/08/2026 23:15

My DC were late to everything! They are now grown up and normal adults
I (apparently) was early walking, talking etc and I’m past 60 and worn out!
My new DGD is weight bearing at 4 months! I don’t think she will crawl and might go straight to walking - hope she’s not me in 60 years
Don’t stress the variations are huge at this age

liveforsummer · 06/08/2026 22:44

Dd2 was like this. It was a surprise as dd1 was cruising at 6/7 months and putting her feet in the ground when held pretty much from newborn . Dd2 wouldnt touch the floor with her feet right up until the day she pulled up to cruise at 15 months (in front of a visiting paediatric physio may I add). If you held her to stand she’d just curl her legs up- then at 17 months she stood up and ran as if she’d been doing it for months, on day one she crossed a wobbly bridge at the park and attempted to run down a slide . 🙈No need to worry yet!

NotAnotherScarf · 06/08/2026 22:20

alphabetQ · 06/08/2026 22:07

Does your DC have strength in their legs? If they kick at something, for example? I have DT and one did all the typical pulling herself up, standing, cruising etc, but the other did literally none of that. She didn't crawl till after she was one, then at 17 months started bouncing about on her knees (she was actually very fast).

Took her to the GP who said as she had good muscle tone in her legs we shouldn't worry. Still, she never once stood up until she was 19 months old and she took her first step that same day.

Exactly what I was going to ask, do they push against your hands if you move their legs, do they stop you putting them in a high chair with their legs?

alphabetQ · 06/08/2026 22:07

Does your DC have strength in their legs? If they kick at something, for example? I have DT and one did all the typical pulling herself up, standing, cruising etc, but the other did literally none of that. She didn't crawl till after she was one, then at 17 months started bouncing about on her knees (she was actually very fast).

Took her to the GP who said as she had good muscle tone in her legs we shouldn't worry. Still, she never once stood up until she was 19 months old and she took her first step that same day.

Bournetilly · 06/08/2026 21:41

My DS was the same, didn’t weight bear or crawl at 1. He started walking at 19 months. I can’t remember when he hit his other milestones but he was ‘late’ with everything. Now he’s older you wouldn’t know.

DuckWrap · 06/08/2026 21:39

They’re different children.

My first walked at 10 months, the second at 15. He could get everywhere he needed by crawling so didn’t walk.

Leeefing · 06/08/2026 20:22

We had similar. DD (who’s nearly 2) at 1 wasn’t weight bearing or crawling. At 1 year review they said to monitor it for a couple more months. At 14 months and still not weight bearing we got referred to physio. She actually was fine. Bum shuffled at 16 months, crawled at 20 and walked at 22 months. Physio ruled out any serious physical issues early on and it was put down to her being very flexible, though no hypermobile diagnosis. So it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem, but I would point it out at the 1 year review and see what the pathway to physio is in your area so you know when to go back if nothing changes. Good luck

Leapintothelightning · 06/08/2026 20:16

My youngest didn’t start crawling until 13/14 months and walked at 18 months. She was rolling around until she was over 1, didn’t even want to army crawl 🤣

So I wouldn’t be concerned yet, although I know that’s difficult because I was very much panicking by the point you’re at but it all worked out!

Bushmillsbabe · 06/08/2026 20:13

Some children don't crawl, many don't walk until 18 months. However I would be slightly concerned about not taking weight. As a paediatric physio, I suggest asking your GP or HV for a referral. It's likely that by time seen will be all fine, but best to get on a wait list and not need it, than wait a while and find out do need to be seen.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 06/08/2026 20:11

My DD walked at 16 months as did I. I know a little boy who didn’t walk until he was about 21 months

EmeraldShamrock000 · 06/08/2026 20:11

My DS was the same, he walked at 19 months, his coordination is still bad, it was a telltale sign of bigger problems, nothing life threatening but worth saying the health visitor or a paediatric occupational therapist.

Bearbookagainandagain · 06/08/2026 20:10

Our first DC was crawling using hands and knees at 9 months, cruising at 10 months and walked independently at 13 months.

It's a different baby, chill.

ImpatientlyWaitingForSummer · 06/08/2026 20:08

My little girl wasn’t bearing any weight on her legs on her first birthday, she’d just stick her legs out in a sitting position when she was lowered to the floor 😂 it’s now only one month later and she’s standing and cruising at every single opportunity. They just do it in their own time when they’re ready, and they change so much so quickly when they’re that little. Also my boy didn’t crawl until nearly one, didn’t walk until nearly 18 months old and now a year later he’s like bloody road runner!

ohsosomething · 06/08/2026 19:36

@imamumgetmeouttahere my now 6’4 18 yo, used to army crawl, at 14 months he stood and walked. He was late to the party but they all get there eventually. I didn’t force him to weight bear but did make a conscious effort to spend more time in doors rather than out in the buggy from about 12mnths old to give him ample opportunity to army crawl and then pull himself up when ready.

My DD was up walking at 1 years old. They are all different and will get there eventually.

In 99% of cases there’s no reason for the delay, just provide the opportunity for it to happen when he’s ready.

cestlavielife · 06/08/2026 16:54

Get a check up. Trust what you see.
If no hypotonia etc then all good
If concerns then a refrral now is helpful.
If hypotonic and or hypermobile etc get referred eg community physio or if wider concerns a neuromuscular specialist
What about sitting?
Understanding?

Boreded · 06/08/2026 16:51

Mine didn’t crawl until the day after his first birthday party when he watched my cousins baby doing it and then took off.

He also didn’t walk until 15 months when he seemed to go from nothing to the full length of the room. He would never wobble and fall, literally just seemed to refuse to do it until he was fully ready and confident.

Keep an eye on your DC but don’t worry too much, there is unlikely to be anything wrong, and if there is you will know soon enough. Let the health visitor know about your concerns…And I know it is easier said than done, but try not to worry, they’re all different.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 06/08/2026 16:50

The legs aren't strong enough yet. I don't think its a concern at 11 months. Try to forget about it and if nothing is changed in 3 months then maybe start looking into it. They are so different, my first was cruising around at 9 months, walking independently at 11 months. Second never crawled just bum shuffled and walked a little at 13 months, properly at 15 months. 3rd only crawled for ages and didn't walk until 18 months, literally double the age of his brother. All are fine healthy children.

Ella31 · 06/08/2026 16:48

I'm a huge advocate of getting a check up. As another poster said babies are all different, but there is no harm in getting your little seen and that will either open up more doors to help or allieviate your worries. How far away is the 1 year assessment, you could always ask the public health nurse (im in ireland , not sure what the uk equivalent is) to refer your baby to a physio. Try not to worry even though I know its hard

Ihaveausername · 06/08/2026 16:16

Each child is different. My DD never crawled and didn't walk unaided until 17 months. No need to be concerned.

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