18 month old isn’t walking, do I need to call the HV?

[Norwalk]

DS will be 19 months next week and he still isn’t walking. He started cruising at quite an early age (about 9 months) and learnt how to climb off the sofa a month later. He crawled at 6 months and was sitting at 5 months. He can take 2-3 steps before he lunges forward to reach something to hold onto. He doesn’t seem to enjoy walking and prefers crawling! He still cruises a lot and will stand alone for a few seconds before sitting down. I’m not massively worried about his development in other ways- he loves climbing and his language is amazing.

DC1 didn’t walk until almost 17 months which I thought was late but DC2 is starting to worry me now he’s edging towards 19 months. Do I need to contact the HV? I’ve only seen one in person once since he was born and spoke to one on the phone twice, haven’t heard from them for a good 8 months I’d say.

Ds was 20 months and Dd 18 months- I don’t think they’ll be concerned until he gets to 2 years old.

DS just crawled really fast everywhere so it was easier than walking and Dd talked really early so everyone brought what she wanted to her.
They’re all so different

If you are concerned then contact the HV. Hopefully there is no issue and it's just a matter of time. If there is an issue then the sooner it's identified and dealt with the better.

He is bearing weight and getting around.
Does not sound concerning.
But
Refer to community childrens physio if you worried for an assessment eg for hypermobility

DS was 19 months before he walked. He literally just stood up one day and started running around. Giggling to himself as if he was able to do it all along secretly....

Yes I would because there can be a waiting list for anyone to see him. It is worth getting him checked out even if there's nothing wrong.

It might be worth mentioning but I wouldn't worry about it overly. My youngest was 19 months when she started walking. She was quite quick at crawling and scooting around on our wooden floors and also seemed to have a knack for getting other people to get things for her (she still does). When she did start walking she progressed very quickly and I stopped using a buggy for her at 2.5 years as she wasn't interested in sitting down.

If he is weight baring to cruise then he is likely OK- just taking his time. I had the same with ds. Dd was 21 months when she walked - but she wasn't really weight bearingbatb18 months and has other issues.

Try encouraging him... bit my 2 walked from me to someone else for a chocolate button!!

DS looked ready for about 4 months. Crawled like a rocket, pulled up to standing from 10m, cruising competently at 12m. Would walk holding stuff but not let go. One day at a toddler group he just took 16 steps across the room and walked very steadily. What did make a difference to him was a £5 flimsy doll's buggy that gave him something to hold but offered no balance.
He was 16m so later end in normal range.

It turns out he is neurodiverse which took a long time to become apparent and there were a lot of areas where he did things in his own time. One area on its own doesn't mean much. I've found paper trails since the early days useful in getting the big picture recognised. Usually there isn't a big picture but it's still worth the reassurance.

Thank you all for the advice. I read 18 months was the upper end of normal online and anything beyond that was time to start worrying but it sounds like a few of your DC walked later than this and were fine which is reassuring.

I always said we’d give him until he turned 19 months then I’d think about contacting them. I’m not worried about hypermobility because he’s been cruising for so long and he cruises as much as he crawls tbh so he bears weight with no issue. He has also taken 2-3 steps before he drops down or lunges into someone/the furniture which I’m not sure he’d be able to do if he had a mobility problem? I don’t know.

I have tried encouraging him a lot with a walker and also by holding a toy out for him to grab: I’ve also tried backing up so I get further and further away from him but that’s the point when he usually drops to the ground and crawls .

We had to see a physio for delayed walking. Is worth finding out whether you have an self refer or be referred and getting in the system as it may take time to be seen. It is very likely nothing to worry about and may just be something simple like hypermobility or lack of motivation.

Both my DD's walked late, the general rule locally to me is to contact the HV at 18 months. If they are weight bearing at this point they will give them until 2 and then a referral for physio initially.

DD1 walked at 20 months. Motor skills and language were a bit behind but caught up around 5.

DD2 didn't walk until 32 months (steps from 21m), she turned out to have hypermobility, femoral anteversion, tibial torsion, some angle in her hips was bigger than it should have been which essentially meant they were 'loose'. As she's got older it's become clear she is globally delayed too (motor, social, language). She is neurodiverse and in the process of finding out if her final diagnosis is ASD or DLD.

Given how long waiting lists can be, I would raise it now as 18 months is the point where you're advised to. Doesn't mean there will be anything wrong but better to find out earlier than later

What's the age gap between them, and how good is the younger one at giving the older one space?

Two year gap here, and the younger one only walked properly at Christmas when she was just shy of 18 months. Basically, it took three grandparents in the house to encourage her and distract her big sister before she was willing to let go. For a couple of weeks after that, she was walking but lunged at a wall and flattened herself against it every time her big sister (who's very good and adores the baby, but is 3 with all that entails) careered by.

They run around together very happily now! The little one just needed to build her confidence.

I’m not worried about hypermobility because he’s been cruising for so long and he cruises as much as he crawls tbh so he bears weight with no issue.

I wouldn't rule hypermobility out on that basis... hypermobile dd did exactly as you describe. Check his hips when you change is nappy - do the move more out to the side than you'd expect. That's a key sign for hip issues. (Dd still walked at 21 months despite being able to put her knees out at right angles from her hips...)

Is he weighbaring or is he using the furniture etc to take the weight? Is he leaning on it or using it for balance? Will he walk further holding your fingers? Balance issues will likely resolve if he's actually weight baring.

If you are concerned get him checked and keep an eye. Don't be told you are being daft... us mothers have instincts for a reason.

I would phone, even if the reassurance to be on their radar/have a quick assessment. You’ll always get people replying “mine was 897months before waking and now runs the 100m in the olympics” but the 18months is there to catch those that might have a problem and can be helped.

A trained physio watching him move
Will tell you if anything to address
No one can do so on here
Doesn't sound like a worry
But no one can tell you for sure
Dd with hypermobility walked age two was very cautious
Was seen by ohysio had couple sessions to make sure wasn't getting bad habits
Ds needed lots of physio

Get on wait list for physio
If you decide to cancel when it arrives
No harm done

They won't be worried until he's two. Particularly as he's weight bearing and taking independent steps.

There really isn't many children that never learn to walk so I'd not be concerned if there's no other causes for concerns. However if your worrying there's no harm in getting some reassurance from the HV team.