Worried baby isn’t walking

[babywprries]

Ds is 14 months (just) and seems nowhere near walking. He can stand but usually holding something, though he can stand alone and has done a few times. He will scale round the playpen and climb at soft play etc but has zero interest in walking at all. Should I be concerned? It says online the average is 12 months, does this mean he’s not going to be very bright? Or any other things? First time mum with not much partner support, worrying a lot.

He sounds completely normal. Mine were all 16/17 months.

I didn't walk til 17 months, and neither did our 3 children. He's doing other stuff!

No need to worry at all. Health visitors don't worry until 18-24 months. Two of mine where closer to 18months and are thoroughly active, bright children.

Don't worry OP it's only an average.

My son walked at 17 months and my daughter was nearly 2. They are both healthy and bright.

DD was bang on 15 months and she's absolutely fine, don't panic 👍🏻

This was me a year ago. Made worse but the fact my son was tall and thick hair so everyone thought he was 2years+ but was actually 15/16 months. Suddenly just clicked - no advice but just solidarity / sympathy xx

My DD was under a NHS children's physio when she was one years old and she told me that the average for walking was 14 months.

Thanks, I know it’s just an average but I’ve got it in my head he won’t be very bright…. Not that it actually matters, I know, but he has two cousins who excel in everything and I think I’ve already got wound up in all that 🤦🏼‍♀️

Completely normal, I wouldn't be concerned at 14 months.

There is a broad spectrum of "normal" development and 14 months is definitely within that.

Middle kid didn't walk until he was 24 months. Why? He had a big sister who would fetch and carry for him so he was lazy!

My daughter walked later side of normal and she’s top of the class. Movement development has no bearing on intellectual development!

I've cared for many 1 year olds as a former nursery teacher. Please try not to worry. Not walking at 14 months is really not cause for concern, especially as your son is able to get himself upright, and able to get around holding on to things. I'm sorry you don't have more support though, OP. Best of luck.

Don't worry!!
Really normal. Neither of mine took an independent step until 14 months old. Even then they didn't exactly set off running... But then I didn't walk until quite late either and it's common to find ages for things run in families, do you know how old you or the dad were when you started walking?
Meanwhile just give lots of opportunities to walk with support, baby will get there in their own time.
Also babies usually develop one major skill at a time. So walking, taking, hand-eye coordination etc etc Develop in series not in parallel and they will all be different which one kicks in in which order.

I feel guilty as I haven’t encouraged it at all! I don’t do any walking with him and he doesn’t have a Walker. It’s just something I’ve not focused on and I feel that might have something to do with it

Does he crawl or is he a bum shuffler? There's some suggestion that bum shufflers have less incentive to walk because they already have a good view of where they're going.

I didn't walk till 18 months and I have a Mensa level IQ so no reaon why he shouldn't be bright.

@ArchetypalBusyMum yes I was 9 months when I walked. DP says he can’t remember. Helpful as ever!

@MereDintofPandiculation thanks that really does make me feel better! He crawls properly not on his bum

I walked at 15 months, dd at 17 months. She didn't crawl till a year old and never cruised round furniture or stood. We were in a pub on holiday with another couple and dd was sat on the floor behind us. Dd just got up and walked across the room.

Nothing to worry about.

DC1 was 11 months
DC2 was 19 months
DC3 was 15 months

DC2 is the brightest academically 😁

Even if that's true, you can give him opportunity now and when he gets it any the difference won't stay with him, if he's mentally ready he'll catch right up.
Do you best to resist comparing with other children even relatives... It's a swift road to madness and will steal your joy or could make you put others in the shade without realising.
He'll be his own proper person with strengths and weaknesses and humour and character all his own, just like everyone, and he'll always be your special person you love like no other.

I walked at 18 months and am (by measures most people would use) an extremely intelligent person.

I'm also smart enough to have seen that intelligence doesn't make you happy and isn't a guarantee of a full and meaningful life. You have absolutely no idea who your son or his cousins will be when they grow up, so please don't project anything from who walked when.

Ah he’ll be fine. Mine didn’t walk until 23 months!! Lazy or just loved crawling so didn’t see the need perhaps 😄

He's a pragmatist! He can get around crawling - bright lad, plus all that crawling will be doing wonders for his core strength so when he goes walk he'll be nice and stable in his torso. 😁

Please don't worry what his cousins are/aren't doing. They all develop different skills at different ages and some peak very early!!

i can't remember when I started walking. Just after my first birthday I think. Started talking early & never stopped!

the youngest I've actually seen walking was 7months. Very cute, but also actually a bit freaky!! Her sister was a Kate Walker at 9months. Those two alone have to have brought the average down 😂😂

try to enjoy this stage, one they're on their feet, life gets even more chaotic!!