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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

How to persuade almost 2yo DD to walk

15 replies

notasausage · 12/10/2010 19:46

DD has been able to walk well since 13 months. Unfortunately the novelty has now worn off. Some days it's a battle just to get her to walk from the kitchen to the living room as she constantly wants picked up. She's getting heavier and I'm finding it a struggle. How to I persuade her to use her little legs more and save my weakening back!

Have tried distraction, bribery, walking off without her, silly walks, games etc.

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Bonsoir · 12/10/2010 19:48

Do you take her to the park/playground/climbing frame/swimming pool? It sounds as if you need to encourage her in every possible way to develop her gross motor skills.

Bonsoir · 12/10/2010 19:49

How about getting her a little three wheel scooter? Tricycle? Balls?

littleducks · 12/10/2010 19:52

A push along trolley (I would suggest the wooden variety with blocks instead of the vtech model, can be used for years as a toy push chair/shopping trolley etc)

HAve you tried just refusing to pick her up? Does she then relent or screm and cry instead?

Bonsoir · 12/10/2010 19:59

A little push-horse? What does she like?

PigeonPair · 12/10/2010 21:15

A toy buggy!?

ColdComfortFarm · 12/10/2010 21:18

can you set aside at least a couple of periods a day for dedicated cuddles, where you have her on your lap, no housework, no internet and devote your interest and physical self to her for 20minutes or so, and see if it helps? It might sate her need for picking up and holding, and then get her a pushalong buggy/dog/trolley to encourage the walking.

Original poster

notasausage · 13/10/2010 12:53

I devote my every waking moment to her direct attention so she's not starved on that front - no internet, cups of coffee or tv watching while she's awake, just the basics like making dinner (usually pre made the night before) or having a wee! I have tried refusing and it results in her throwing herself face first at the floor.

Pushing things might be a good idea. No problem with her gross (or fine) motor skills, she's just got me all figured out. Plenty of trips to the park where she will walk short distances but then demands to be picked up.

OP posts:

colditz · 13/10/2010 12:55

She is probably getting far too much attention if you cannot even bring yourself to have a cup of coffee while she is awake. Persuade her to use her legs by simply NOT picking her up. She'll move if she wants to be somewhere.

colditz · 13/10/2010 12:56

PS she'll only throw herself face firts on the floor until the one time when she does it and hurts herself. She will not do it again after that. Pain is a great teacher.

AMumInScotland · 13/10/2010 13:18

Easy - don't carry her! If I didn't have to get off my bum, I probably wouldn't bother either.

Original poster

notasausage · 15/10/2010 12:57

You are probably right. I will disengage her from her clinging position at my leg, dodge round her and keep going.

OP posts:

Mobly · 15/10/2010 15:28

Do you really 'direct every waking moment to her direct attention?'- You must be exhausted! Are you her sole carer? What is she like, if and when she is around others?

Totally agree with other posters. It's not cruel to not give in to every demand a toddler makes. She also needs to learn that other's have needs too. I reckon a few days of at least halving the amount of times you carry her and she will get used to the idea and start walking more.

suiledonne · 15/10/2010 15:34

Does she have a little ride on car? Just one of the basic push with your feet ones?

My dd2 is also almost 2 and walking since 13 months and loves her little car. She will happy drive around the house with me when I get things done.

mistlethrush · 15/10/2010 15:46

We had a heavy ds - so the rule when out with the buggy was that he could either walk or go in the buggy. He would be picked up for a cuddle and then go back down on the ground again - I would not walk a step with him in my arms when out!!! He also liked pushing the buggy himself which was an alternative way of getting him walking - we also had the advantage of the dog - so giving him the dog lead and encouraging the dog to go gently ahead (whilst hanging onto his other hand just in case) was also quite good.

Tgger · 15/10/2010 21:57

Hmmmmm, yes, sounds like your relationship is perhaps a little intense?
My DD is like this only really when ill/teething/unsettled.
Do you have periods of cuddling/sitting together. As others suggested if she is not getting her fill of this then that could be why she is demanding it all the time.
Maybe she's wanting to be carried as a control thing. Stop trying to get her to walk and maybe she will.
My DD didn't walk until 18 months and not properly until 20 months but after that she's been unstoppable! I did get frustrated between about 17-19 months as she seemed such a baby compared with her peers with all the carrying, but for her there was no other way, she couldn't physically do it!

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