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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

17 month more interested in crawling than walking

10 replies

ibangthedrums · 23/08/2010 20:06

DS2 is 17 months and is a very proficient crawler and climber. He has been cruising around the furniture for months, he can stand on his own and bend down and has taken a couple of steps (max 4 I think).

However,this has all been going on for months and months and he never seems to get any closer to walking properly. He really enjoys being "walked" but as soon as he needs to get anywhere under his own steam he will crawl. He has no interest in push along toys etc so they have not helped.

How long does this in between stage go on for? Should I be worried?

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scurryfunge · 23/08/2010 20:08

Don't be worried....just needs to have a reason to walk....he will get there. Try him outside...he may prefer toddling rather than crawling on the grass/ground.

Original poster

ibangthedrums · 23/08/2010 20:28

He will crawl on almost any surface - he does not seem to care in the slightest. He spent the few hot days we have had in full length trousers as he seems to have knees made of metal rather than flesh and blood!

OP posts:

scurryfunge · 23/08/2010 20:39

He will get there in the end....please don't worry...has he met his other developmental milestones?

msupa · 23/08/2010 20:56

My DS didn't even crawl till he was (wait for it!) 21 months - he is now walking (started at just over 24 months)! At 17 month he did virtually nothing but sat on his bum, bottomshuffled and bossed us around to get him things like you wouldn't believe. I was worried sick. As it turned out (as I took him to see a doctor at 18 months and them a physio at 20)he has an unlucky combination of a big head, loose ligaments and a slightly low muscle tone. Nothing scary, but you can imagine that I was worried like mad.
Give him a bit of time - he'll get there.

Ceebee74 · 23/08/2010 21:03

Sounds a bit like my DS2 who didn't walk until he was 17.5 months....he was slightly later than average with crawling (10 months) and cruising (just short of 12 months).

Like your DS, he cruised for 5 months happily and would drop to a crawl if he wanted to move across the room and then pull himself back up to standing. He didn't even let go and stand up either. Like you, I was wondering how long that phase was going to last as it seemed to go on for EVER!

Anyway, at 17.5 months, it was like someone flicked a switch and he literally just let go of the sofa and walked to the table and back again and so on - so he bypassed the learning to stand without holding on etc and don't really remember him crawling once he had done it. No idea what it was other than we were on holiday and the lodge was less messy cluttered than our house which generally has toys and crap all over the floor so no idea if it was that, just a new place - who knows?

Original poster

ibangthedrums · 23/08/2010 22:09

He is a bit late in talking as well, in that he says the first letter or so of a word but no more. Prob has about ten words in this category. He only says two words clearly.

He seems OK on other milestones from what I can tell, very average rather than advanced though. He climbing abilities are above average though. It is odd to see a child climb up a slide, slide down (or just stand at the top holding on like he is king of the world!) and then crawl back round again.

We are on holiday in a few weeks - maybe that will help!

OP posts:

EightiesChick · 23/08/2010 22:14

Does he have a walker? That got my DS up on his feet more. But agree it will happen when he's ready.

Lolvol · 24/08/2010 08:12

My son was an early-ish crawler, but quite a late walker. I think he just wanted to do it well. When he decided to walk, he walked very well indeed (about 16 mos). My son was also a fabulous slider and climber and then crawled back around to do the slide again. I agree it did look a bit odd, but there ya go.

It can be hard at this stage when everyone's asking "is he walking?" and other parents are saying "mine walked at 10 mos" etc etc. My mom tried to drag him around at 12 mos to force him to walk "He has to learn!" she said. Ummm, he will. And he did.

Ceebee74 · 24/08/2010 08:16

Lolvol my DS1 ws similar to your DS in that although he crawled (albeit commando-style) at an early age, he didn't walk until he was 14 months but he did it perfectly from day 1 with no trips/stumbles etc - he was exactly the same with sitting/standing etc - it was as if he didn't want to do it unless he was perfect

DS2, otoh, has had so many falls, bumps, bruises - he literally could trip over a piece of dust!!

OP my DS2 is also not particularly vocal although he now has many more words (he is now 21 mo) but at 17 months, probably only had 3 or 4 I think.

They all get there in the end

AlienLady · 13/04/2026 10:18

@ibangthedrums when did he eventually start walking? In the same position!

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