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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be impatient with my baby?

123 replies

fivetonap · 02/05/2023 08:59

My baby is 15 months and 1 week old (born three weeks early if that's relevant?) and still not walking.

I'm getting worried and impatient about it!

We're going on holiday at the end of the month with a baby the same age (actually a month younger) who's been walking since he was 11 months old. Makes me feel even more worried.

Please be kind, I have a tendency to worry a lot.

AIBU to worry yet?

OP posts:
Bedtimemode · 02/05/2023 14:54

There's a Bluey episode about this! it's called "Baby Race"

Mine went from not even trying to walking across the room in the space of about a week at 16 months. She just randomly pulled herself up from sitting, without holding onto anything, and walked across the room. I was 😵

It'll happen soon by the sounds of things

Goldbar · 02/05/2023 15:03

fivetonap · 02/05/2023 11:51

Btw, parenting becomes much harder when they can walk/ run, you may regret being in such a hurry.

I completely disagree. When my first started walking I was easily able to put him in an all-in-one and a pair of wellies and go to the park. Much trickier with a baby who wants to crawl around on wet, muddy grass

Get something to cover his hands (waterproof mittens or similar) and then let him go! There's no reason why crawling babies need to stay in the pushchair or be carried outside if you're somewhere relatively clean and safe. I didn't let mine crawl in our local park (except in the playground when quiet), but that was due to broken glass and cigarette ends rather than not being able to walk. Our local common/country park is much better for a crawling baby, although you do need to watch out for dogs.

curious79 · 02/05/2023 15:06

Only a doctor can answer this question. If he is completely medically fine, he’ll probably just start running one day.

lavenderfine · 02/05/2023 15:09

My DD is the same age and has just in the last week or so started walking (also born 3 weeks early but I don't know if it matters)
DS walked at 10 months.
They're all different and he will walk when he's ready. If your baby still isn't waking by 18 months then call your health visitor and ask if there's anything you should do, I really wouldn't worry though, they all do it in their own time!

Topseyt123 · 02/05/2023 15:12

There is a very wide range of normal and you are well within it

My DD1 walked at 14 months, DD2 at 23 months and DD3 at 21 months. All within bounds of normality. DD2 and DD3 were both bum shufflers, who do often tend to be late walkers. All in their twenties now and all fine.

Your child sounds to be doing well. I certainly wouldn't worry for quite a while yet. Personally, experience tells me no need to worry before the age of 2.

StaringAtTheWater · 02/05/2023 15:17

DS1 didn't take his first steps until 16 months and wasn't properly running round till 19 months. No prematurity to blame either - he was two weeks late! At the time it felt to me that he was the slowest baby to walk ever! 😂DS2 was also on the slow side to walk (14 months) but because he was quicker than DS1, I wasn't worried about it.

I do sympathise OP, and I agree with you that it's much easier to do activities outside when they are on their feet. It's also easier for them to play with their older siblings when they can walk too. It will happen eventually.

LinaM20 · 02/05/2023 15:23

I have a (completely unscientific) theory that babies are walkers or talkers. All the babies I’ve known to walk early have been slower talkers. My son was an early talker, but didn’t walk until 14/15 months. If your child is hitting all the other milestones and crawling and cruising I’m sure they’llbe walking soon.

marrymeadam · 02/05/2023 15:26

My 1st walked at 14 months but was talking in sentences, My second at 11 months and my third at 8 months but they both couldnt say much more than muma and dada till they were nearly 2.

Oopswediditagain2023 · 02/05/2023 15:31

You'll find they start walking on holiday!

Boymum1005 · 02/05/2023 15:35

Me, my brother and sister all walked at 15m.

My nephew walked at 10m but is still wobbly on his feet at over 2y and falls over every few steps.

My first DS was 14m, he was quite advanced in every other way (rolling at 3 weeks, crawling at 4m, standing at 6m). Now at 2y very confident at running, jumping, football control. But his speech is much slower than others his age.

Second DS is 7.5m and can’t sit up or crawl yet. He didn’t roll over until 6m. Worth noting that I had steroid injections at 30w as midwives were sure he was coming early, they warned me if he then went to term (which he did) it could slow his development.

Every baby is different OP and it certainly doesn’t sound like there’s anything to worry about. From experience, holiday will be SO much easier if he’s NOT walking! If nothing by 18m let the HV know and book in for review. In the meantime, enjoy your holiday!

redjoker · 02/05/2023 15:56

Would it help to tell you I cant even remember when mine first walked? (hes only 5!) things that seem very important will happen, naturally and you'll forget it was ever a big deal :)

queenatom · 02/05/2023 16:00

I completely relate, OP, my son wasn't walking at 15 months and despite myself I found it really annoying! He was sooo close, he'd cruise, pull up. walk barely holding my finger but the second he let go he'd collapse like wet tissue. All of his wee friends had been walking for ages and our WhatsApp groups were loads of pictures of them frolicking round the park and exploring at the aquarium and we couldn't do any of that because he hated being trapped in his buggy and I wasn't going to let him crawl around in the mud.

Anyway, he eventually started at 16 months on the dot and now 6 weeks later he's practically running. Don't feel bad at yourself for feeling the way you feel, it's natural to worry and it's understandable to feel frustrated and impatient, particularly when you know it's going to be much more fun once they figure it out. Try and not let them sense your frustration, it does sound like they're pretty close so hopefully won't be too much longer!

PaperLanterns · 02/05/2023 16:01

Mine didn’t walk until 22 months. Was on the phone to the health visitor asking for help when he walked around the corner 😂😂😂

Clairebairn · 02/05/2023 16:07

18 months is when they would do assessments if your baby is still yet to walk. My three walked at 12, 15 and 11 months. Every child really is different. Try not to worry!

Coconutbug · 02/05/2023 16:07

My eldest started walking at 9 months and my youngest didn't walk til around 17-18 🤪 they are too ends of the spectrum is crazy, my eldest didn't talk for ages whereas my youngest was from what seems like day one 😂 they are so different it's hard not too worry but I'm sure your child is doing fine!

TeaAndTwoSugars · 02/05/2023 16:10

My ds was late to sit around 9 months, crawled shortly after around 10 months but walking took longer. I think somewhere around 15-16 months. I know I was starting to worry about it like you lol, it will come when they are ready.

Now you couldn't tell with him sprinting around the place.

HLW1994 · 02/05/2023 16:15

I was impatient with my little one. She started walking at 18 months when she was ready. It was pointless worrying. My mummy instincts knew she was fine, so in the end I just relaxed. She was a bumshuffler and I dont miss it and I totally get why you are impatient but try and enjoy the stage you're at- it won't last forever. ❤️

AllHopeandRainbows · 02/05/2023 16:41

Crawling, climbing stairs up and down, cruising, took a few steps last week but no absolutely won't

In this case I wouldn’t be worried. He can walk (as in sounds like he has all the physical abilities) he just doesn’t really want/need to yet as he’s getting around just fine as he is 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is normal, it will eventually happen. Both of mine didn’t start taking steps til 15 months or so and I used to stress about it too (can’t even remember exactly and was only a couple years ago so clearly it’s not a big deal to me anymore) xx

AllHopeandRainbows · 02/05/2023 16:42

Can’t even remember exactly what age to the month they were when full on walking I meant ^

Sam775 · 02/05/2023 16:56

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Kerrylass · 02/05/2023 17:00

My Son walked at 11 months, my daughter was 18 months. Both Totally normal. FWIW, son is now very sporty and athletic, daughter is not.

xprincessxjanetx · 02/05/2023 17:20

DS1 walked at 18 months
DD1 walked at 17 months
DS2 walked at 13 months
DD2 walked at 2.5 years!!!!!
Ds3 walked at 18 months
DD3 is 15 months and started crawling this week

All my children were delayed in walking except 1...and 1 of them was significantly! They have all caught up and are at the appropriate stage physically with their gross motor skills. Some babies just take longer than others, I wouldn't worry yet.

redtomatoes · 02/05/2023 17:44

Don’t worry yet! My son took his first steps at 16 months and then got a bit lazy, didn’t do it again until 18 months and then he never stopped!

squidgybits · 02/05/2023 17:44

It's not a race with other babies fgs

Luckyduc · 02/05/2023 18:08

My friend has 4 kids.....every single one of them walked between 18 and 19 months old.
Babies walk at all sorts. Mine was 12 months old.......but then his speech didjt come until he was 3! So....dont compare.....your friends baby might meet goals but lack in other areas, bottom line is.....in 5 years time, noone would even know, it all balances out.