to be worried my son isn't walking?

[junosmum]

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?

[justilou]

Maybe you should ask for a referral to a paediatric physio. Perhaps there is a muscle weakness or an imbalance there that needs tweaking.

[MadeForThis]

I was going to suggest the wooden spoon too.

[MoreProseccoNow]

My DD was a very late walker (21m). At 18m, I took her to the GP, at the insistence of nursery just to shut them up. He rightly concluded that she was very strong-willed, had all the physical skills to do it (a very efficient crawler) & she would do it in her own time.

[junosmum]

one of my issues with him crawling is that he keeps ruining shoes! They all get holes in the front where he drags them around the floor. And his little knees are all bruised!

[ApricotCrush]

He sounds fine, he just needs the confidence to go. My DD didn't walk until she was 22 months and her DS was 23 months. They were both bum-shufflers though and apparently they are later walkers. It's awful when you're waiting, but I'm sure he won't be long.

[BeepBeepMOVE]

Some kids are just a bit lazy!

If he is a strong crawler then its much easier and quicker for him to crawl than try and balance on his feet. Think about it from his perspective, why should he walk?

He'll do it eventually, he's already proved he can.

[FuzzyPenguin]

Try not to worry my DS didn't crawl until 16 months and walk till 22 months. He was a butt shuffler and also a smart cookie so he could figure out ways to get what he wanted without having to move. (Think pulling the rug to get the toy to come nearer).
My HV not to worry as he was developing in other areas and he would still catch up.
He is still stubborn now 3 years and refusing to use the potty.

[junosmum]

yes, very fast crawler. I'll try the wooden spoon thing, I do think it's just a confidence thing, though I'm not sure why as he can climb on to the kitchen work top!

[BenFolly]

My ds and Dad didn't walk or crawl until 19 and 22 months respectively.

They didn't crawl either, bum shuffled around.

[metellaestinatrio]

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.

[YoullShootYourEyeOut]

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.

[ToothTrauma]

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

[LeonoraFlorence]

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?

[Louiselouie0890]

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

[Maccapacca88]

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

[AnyFucker]

developmentalgym.com

[Roomster101]

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.

[cushioncovers]

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.

[justkeepswimmingg]

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'.

[rainbowduck]

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

[HeyMicky]

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

[katycb]

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

[Zebrasinpyjamas]

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]

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.

[Redredredrose]

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.