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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be worried my son isn't walking?

34 replies

junosmum · 20/07/2017 19:38

DS is 18.5 months old. He can walk, he just doesn't. He can walk for ages holding a finger (all the way round the park, to the local shop etc) and can walk about 10 steps independently BUT only to and from me and DH. He took his first steps 2 months ago and hasn't progressed since then.

Born at term, long second stage and forceps delivery. Met all other milestones but didn't roll until after he could sit and crawl.

Health visitor is of no use. GP advised coming back if he wasn't walking at 18months (went for a totally unrelated matter) but he is technically walking.

AIBU to be worried?

OP posts:

AnyFucker · 20/07/2017 19:42

But he can walk

How does he get to something he wants eg. a favourite toy

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 20/07/2017 19:43

I would take him back just to check and be on the safe side. Although he is technically walking I would say it's more cruising.

Saying that, DPs mum tells me that he didn't walk till way later as he was just a lazy child.

fanfrickintastic · 20/07/2017 19:44

anyfucker he crawls. And if he's walking holding me and lets go, he very gracefully kneels to floor and continues the journey crawling.

AnyFucker · 20/07/2017 19:45

He simply prefers to crawl then ?

Can he get himself up/down from the crawling position by himself ?

flippyflapper · 20/07/2017 19:45

My daughter did this. Would not walk at all for agggges. She used to knee walk.

On her 2nd birthday she decided to give the walking a go.

She is absolutely fine had health checks etc she just found knee walking easier

AnyFucker · 20/07/2017 19:45

Nc fail, btw

Redredredrose · 20/07/2017 19:46

How much weight bearing are you doing with your finger? I mean, is he holding on to you because he can't balance, or hold his own weight, or is it more of a comfort and reassurance thing?

Civilsoot · 20/07/2017 19:46

Do you think it's more a lack of confidence rather than inability?

Our 1st was a late walker, we really practiced getting him to walk between us with us moving further act further apart each time. Do this outside too, so he gets used to walking around outside of the safety of the house.

AnyFucker · 20/07/2017 19:47

When he does walk does he have a normal walking pattern for his age (slightly waddling with legs wide apart)

Redredredrose · 20/07/2017 19:49

Would bribery work? If he can walk ten steps between you and DH, I'd guess it's more laziness or lack of confidence than ability... I don't think it would hurt to go back to the GP though.

katycb · 20/07/2017 19:51

My twins didn't walk in aided at all until they were 23m and 24m! I worried sooo much and now they are super fast almost 4 year olds who run off in opposite directions try not to stress to much! Anything up to 18m is normal of you are still worried maybe see HV. We were refered to Physio through ours which made a huge difference as girls were diagnosed and treated for hypermobility. It was slightly different as they were prem and late to do lots of things but they did get there.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 20/07/2017 19:53

I know of other children who were very similar to your ds. They are three now and on track developmentally but didn't walk at all until 20 months.

It sounds like there are no physical issues as he can do it. He is just choosing not to do it. All you can do is encourage him to try through the age old parenting tactics of bribery, cajoling and excessive celebration when he does it even a little bit.

katycb · 20/07/2017 19:53

Sorry just read hv was rubbish may be try gp again☺

HeyMicky · 20/07/2017 19:58

DD2 waited til 19 months. Specifically, she waited until 36 hours after the expensive private physio appointment I arranged Like your DS, she cruised fine, finger walked, got up and done on her own, climbed on and off furniture, swam evenly etc

I would see a physio or specialist to set your mind at rest (not GP or HV, although 18 months is normal they won't do anything until he's 2) but it's likely he'll just decide one day

I feel for you, I haunted these boards looking at old posts about this issue. Unhelpfully, the answer is nearly always that they'll get there in their own time

rainbowduck · 20/07/2017 20:00

My kids didn't walk until they were 23 months, 18 months, 16 months and 14months.

My husband walked at 19 months, and me on my first birthday.

I wouldn't be overly concerned just yet. X

justkeepswimmingg · 20/07/2017 20:00

My DS didn't walk until 16 months (although was premature). I read some really random advice online, and thought anything was worth a go. DS could walk, just didn't have the confidence to let go and do it alone. Instead of him holding our hand or finger we got him to hold an object (a wooden spoon in our case), and we'd also hold the other side. When we felt we was balanced and could cope we let go, and he didn't even know. I know it sounds mean, but it worked.
When he realised he was walking alone, he was really excited and had the confidence to try more independently.
Also side note.. his paediatrician said his delay in walking was him learning about risk taking, and still to this day he is very 'risk aware'.

cushioncovers · 20/07/2017 20:01

My ds didn't walk until three weeks before his 2nd birthday. He never even attempted it until then, despite me trying to get him to, he just wanted to crawl.

Roomster101 · 20/07/2017 20:03

Many children in my extended family didn't walk until 18 to 20 months. The late walkers are now all teenagers and adults, good at sport and very academic. Perhaps ask your relatives and see if any of them were late walkers.

AnyFucker · 20/07/2017 20:03

developmentalgym.com

Maccapacca88 · 20/07/2017 20:04

I would have thought that if he can walk to the local shops (holding your hand effectively?) there isn't a problem. That sounds good for 18 months to me! The way you describe it, it sounds more like a comfort/safety thing than a lack of ability. My daughter walked at 10 months, but never rolled, never slept and won't progress from a bottle at almost 2. They really are all different and have their own strengths and weaknesses just like us adults

Louiselouie0890 · 20/07/2017 20:05

My boy was the same he could walk just he was miles quicker crawling so only really started going with it when he wanted to. I wasn't worried

LeonoraFlorence · 20/07/2017 20:07

Could you try a little backpack with reins on if it's a confidence thing then gradually let go of the strap without him realising?

ToothTrauma · 20/07/2017 20:08

I didn't walk until I was about 2 and then one day I got up and ran after a kite on the beach. Evidently I was just lazy

YoullShootYourEyeOut · 20/07/2017 20:09

Is he a fast crawler? My daughter could walk but absolutely refused until gone 18 months, but she was a complete speed demon crawling, a bloody nightmare actually. The health visitor said it was probably just because she found crawling more efficient lol. She is now 12 and is perfectly healthy in every way. Ask your GP if you're concerned though.

metellaestinatrio · 20/07/2017 20:13

My DS was just like this - having hit all his other milestones on the early side, he took his first unaided steps at 15 months but then insisted on finger walking for weeks afterwards! I was starting to get worried when at just 17 months he suddenly started walking independently and he now charges around like any other toddler. It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about - he will get there in his own time.

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