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Original poster

Tell me about your late walkers please!

80 replies

Whyismycatanasshat · 12/03/2020 11:34

I’ve just had DD to the health visitor clinic to get her weighed and it wasn’t our usual HV, it was an older, much more abrupt lady who told me DD was a concern as at 14 months she isn’t standing by herself unsupported or making any progress to walking independently.

I assumed DD wasn’t ready yet as she cruises on furniture and will occasionally walk a step or two if you hold her hands, otherwise she sinks to her knees.

She’s not that far behind is she?

New HV made it out to be a massive deal.

Thank you.

OP posts:
WeakandWobbly · 12/03/2020 13:45

My DS walked at 16 months--the day my DD was born!
My DD bum-shuffled and only walked at 23 months. During that time she could not roll over, or sit up from a lying position. She eventually got up and walked after having some physiotherapy. We were told she had a weak core. And yes, she did talk and sing for Britain at age 2!
Roll forwards and she is a beautiful ballet dancer and enjoys all kinds of sport aged 11. All that worry for nothing, but it's hard going through it at the time. I hope this reassures you, OP.

BackyardChickens · 12/03/2020 13:51

My son was about 18 months old. They all get there eventually.

Okki · 12/03/2020 13:58

My DS walked at 16 months ... for cake. Then didn't walk again for another month and he hasn't stopped climbing or running around since. Our HV pointed out at about 14/15 months that it would be a concern if he got to 18 months without walking. Also we were told that quite often if their walking is delayed it's because they're concentrating on other things. My DS was ahead with his speech for example. If they're ahead with their walking, their speech could be behind that of a late walker.

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JetsetJetlaggedJaded · 12/03/2020 14:02

I have just come out of the other side of this drama! People love to make you worry about it don't they?

"She walking yet?... no? How old is she? Ooh that's late isn't it?" Head tilt.... ARGH!

My daughter was standing at furniture and cruising confidently but would not stand up or walk on her own and would go bananas if you tried to trick her into doing it!

She's a naturally cautious child with a strong fear of getting hurt (eg she has loved to crawl up and down the stairs for ages but does so very carefully, checking each step at a time). Even if she just wobbles and doesn't even fall or hurt herself it really upsets her. I knew in my heart she could do it but she just needed the confidence to let go.

At 17.5 months she was sitting on the arm of the sofa and just decided that today was the day! And walked over to me, as I was sitting at the other end of the sofa! Took us completely by surprise! It took more than a week to encourage her to walk on the hard floor - she would only walk on the sofa or a big gym mat that we have. She knows her own mind!

It wasn't until after she walked that she figured out how to stand up on her own... so she didn't do that in the normal order either!

I would recommend continuing with the climbing that you're already doing to build up her confidence and strength, and seeing if you can get her to walk holding your hands, and then reduce to 1 hand, and just keep practicing.

Oh! And don't let other people worry you about it!

firstimemamma · 12/03/2020 14:04

My friend didn't walk at all until 2 and is now a very happy and successful 25 year old with a good career, good relationship and no issues.

My 19 month old can walk (although at your child's age he wasn't walking at all much really) as I've seen him do it several times but 90% of the time he just gets from a to b on his knees as he finds this much quicker and easier! He'll get there eventually bless him, I'm really not bothered although sometimes his knees do go a bit red.

Every baby is different Smile

Kordda · 12/03/2020 14:08

Friends DD didn't walk until 19 months. She was just plain lazy. I have never known a child to be so laid back and boring Grin! She didn't sit until around 9 months, didn't roll over until she was nearly one, didn't crawl until she was around 13 months. She would turn her head in ungodly ways to see what the fuss was about and then roll her eyes and go back to relaxing. Absolutely no development issues what so ever, she just didn't want too, she had no interest in moving, would much rather sit and chill out. She is now 2 and a half, walking, talking, running etc. But she is still a lazy sod who would rather sit in her pram and eat than join in activities.

sarahj86 · 12/03/2020 14:09

My DD was 17 months and my DS 16 months.

overthinkingismymiddlename · 12/03/2020 14:12

My boy didn't walk fully until 18 months. It was painful to put his foot down so he had to go to physio sessions and wear a foot brace since his foot wouldn't go flat. The brace helped for him to learnt to walk flat foot. He walked normally without the brace when he was at 21/22 months.

DonnaDarko · 12/03/2020 14:14

DS walked just before 18 months. Before that, he wasn't doing much standing on his own and he didn't crawl, he butt shuffled.

I don't think you need to worry.

moresugarpls · 12/03/2020 14:29

I wouldn't worry yet.

DD started walking 2 weeks ago. She's 17 months

Magic0Magic · 12/03/2020 14:48

22 months here when he started walking. He was a bum shuffler before that and never saw the need I reckon.
Health visitor made a massive deal of failing him at his 1 year check.
He doesn’t really stop now.

JockTamsonsBairns · 12/03/2020 14:54

My ds1 was 19 months when he started walking. Until then, he was quite happy cruising, or just sitting around watching - perfectly happy to let others fetch and carry for him. He's 22 now, and not much has changed on that front.
Ds2 broke the family record, and was 21 months before he got up and walked. He was an absolute demon at crawling, so I think didn't have much motivation to walk. He's 12 now, very active, and with no developmental issues at all.
Then came dd1 who got up and walked at 13 months - we thought she was some kind of child prodigy Grin.

I think it's quite ridiculous to be calling for GP appointments, or paediatrician referrals at this stage. It's completely normal not to be walking at 14 months, particularly if there are no other concerns.

byvirtue · 12/03/2020 14:59

My daughter crawled at 10 months and walked at 17 months. She had been cruising and taking a couple of steps by herself for a few months and then all of a sudden she decided to walk and she did! You’ve got a few more months I still think 14 months is quite young!

Avebury · 12/03/2020 15:01

Just before 18 months here and I was told it was only a concern if he wasn't weight bearing at all so sounds like you don't need to worry at all.

Elsa8 · 12/03/2020 15:05

My son started walking at 19 months. He was late talking too and I pushed for a pediatric appointment. Naturally he started running around as soon as the referral letter came through!!

BrandoraPaithwaite · 12/03/2020 15:09

Do you have Netflix? There's a new documentary series on there called Babies and one of the later episodes is all about starting to walk. I think you will find it very informative and reassuring.

Ps. My dd didn't walk til 15mo

Cuckoochime · 12/03/2020 15:30

Hi Op
2 of my 3 children walked late- VERY late- and its been a family trait in my husband's family for generations, so I was warned by in laws before they were born what to expect, and didn't panic.

Oldest walked at 27 months, youngest not until just before his 3rd birthday (!). Consultant was a bit concerned but couldn't find anything physically wrong (as I suspected)...and they both got there eventually. Every child is different.

notthemum · 12/03/2020 15:39

I used to look after a LO who was 19 months before they walked, would bum shuffle, talked perfectly. Had two older siblings so would point to what they wanted say "Get it, get it now". Siblings rushed to comply, baby didn't need to bother until ready. Now not quite three wants to walk or preferably run everywhere.

applesandpears33 · 12/03/2020 15:48

My DD didn't walk until she was 22 months old, a week before a paediatrician's appointment to investigate why she wasn't walking. She has two older siblings and would point at toys and make noises until they fetched them for her. She had them running after her at less than 18 months old. Several years on and nothing much has changed! She is a very verbal rather than a physical child.

twosoups1972 · 12/03/2020 15:59

People take these milestones way too seriously

Agree 100%. My friend keeps getting called into her dd's nursery about her dd's lack of speech. She's only just turned two and they are already spouting fucking targets. Makes me very sad all these hoops young children have to jump through from the off.

Rubychard · 12/03/2020 16:20

17 months here, which I was led to believe was the late side of normal. He did turn out to be dyspraxic tho which might have had something to do with it.

redwoodmazza · 12/03/2020 16:32

My DS walked at 19 months - it saved us a fortune in shoes!!!

happypotamus · 12/03/2020 16:37

DD wasn't walking at 18 months but would cruise round the furniture. I took her to the HV, who referred her to physio. By the time the appointment came round a couple of months later, we didn't need it because she had started walking. She is now 5 and you wouldn't know that she didn't walk until so late, I don't think there was a reason for it at all.

siblingrevelryagain · 12/03/2020 16:39

Two boys walked at 18 months, daughter at 16.

People say babies are ‘walkers or talkers’. Mine were neither! All 3 talked late too. In fact, they’ve never been early or first with anything, but at 13, 11 and 8, you’d never know!

LouisaMayAlcott · 12/03/2020 16:40

Two of mine walked at 18 months and two at 17 months. I was a late walker as were my brothers and all of us are fine!