19 mth old not walking ....

[Amazongirl75]

Hi there

We have a 19 mth old DD who is not walking ....am getting increasingly (but secretly) anxious about it. And also, dare I confess, slightly embarrassed about it, especially when meeting other mums or toddlers.

She goes to nursery, and has been since 9 mths old so thought she would be encouraged to get moving by seeing the others doing it and wanting to join in .....mind you she only started crawling at 17 mth old. Now she can crawl quite fast.

She is making progress - now slowly cruising round the furniture, will use the weighted walker at nursery - point blank refuses the one at home. But she seems quite happy crawling. Think she has put all her efforts into talking, baby signing - she has loads of words now and really good at communicating.

How late do I leave it before taking her to a health visitor (who in my experience don't give particularly great advice)

Just wondered if anyone else out there had a late walker and what they did to encourage them.....

Thanks

I feel your pain. My DS was 19 mths yesterday and isn't walking. I've posted on here a few times as I am quite (very) anxious) - thanks for all the helpful and supportive replies.

I can totally identify with feeling embarrassed. However, I have to remind myself that lots of the children running around still don't have much to say. My ds sounds like your daughter - talks a lot and great communicator.

My ds is at nursery too and I'm sure I'm driving the staff mad by constantly going on about walking. They say they aren't worried as long as he progresses. He is a very fast crawler and like your ds cruises and will use a walker.

If you dd was late crawling it would make sense that she will be late walking. I talked to my doctor as well who said as long as they are experimenting with different types of movement that is the important thing. The doctor said give it till 2 before being referred.

Will your dd walk with hands? My ds hasn't been that keen on it but at the weekend when we took him out for a walk he was so keen to get out his pushchair that he walked for ages holding our hands. It was as if he could finally see the point as we explained to him he couldn't crawl outside. My plan now is to keep repeating this so he gets used to it. Inside, however, he can't seem to see the point... Easier (and quicker) to crawl or cruise.

Sorry for the long post - as you can see I really do identify.

Hi, I'm no expert at all but I have a 2.4 year old daugther so know lots of children who have just been through this age and I know that two of my friends had kids who were late walkers and are now all over the place!
But if its bothering you I would ask a HV or if not I sometimes get a better response from my doctor, at least it would put your mind at rest.
Hope this gives you some reassurance :) x

I wouldn't be too concerned yet. How tall is your DD? My HV is actually quite good and suggested one of the reasons walking is delayed is if they are quite tall as their relative centre of gravity can seem unsteady to them.

Likewise, not uncommon for subsequent children to be either v early walkers (chasing after elder siblings) or very late (why should I bother walking when I can just let DB/DS fetch and carry?)

Seems like your DD's personality has a bit to do with it, like mine. I was frustrated with DD walking late at about 20 months. Five minutes after I paid entry for her to a soft play (reduced for non-walkers), she appeared at my side by the signing in desk, standing up and walking 3 or 4 steps alone. That was the Friday afternoon: by Tuesday we were in casualty as she RAN into a wall . All or nothing, my girl.