Is my 15.5month DS hypermobile? Is that why he's not walking yet?

[gobblygook]

I'm trying not to worry that DS isn't walking...crawled at 10.5 months, pulled up about 13 months and can not get up and down the sofa, pull up anywhere, climb a few stairs and walk the length of the long kitchen holding hands.

He doesn't really cruise and he doesn't seem to like his walker - he goes rigid and uncertain when it moves forward without one of us controlling the pace.

He will often want to sit back down after a walk and sometimes he grimaces. But he's also v active - fast crawler and into everything!

I was diagnosed with hupermobility during pregnancy - it hadnt caused me any issues prior - and my teenage nephew also has it.

Could this be the reason? Should I wait till 18 months to take him to a Physio? Is there anything I can do? I feel anxious about it, which I know is silly.

He is doing great otherwise - a fair few words and v engaged and happy.

And as an aside although he constantly gestures and points he doesn't close his hand around an index finger. I worry about this too but I am also wondering if hupermobility may be the reason too

Thanks!

First paragraph - should read now can get on and off sofa - not 'not!' stupid iPhone!

First paragraph - should read now can get on and off sofa - not 'not!' stupid iPhone!

Hi

I'm sure there's nothing to worry about but I would get a professional opinion from a physio/doctor now.

15.5months is not late to walk. Unless you do believe he is hypermobile for a reaosn other than he's not walking then I doubt the Dr. will do anything more than pat you on the head (metaphorically) and tell you to come back when he's 18/19 month if he's still not walking.

It can be genetic, but I suspect not from you having it in pregnancy.

The hypermobile children I've known have tended to bottom shuffle rather than crawl, or if they've crawled, it's been very late-over 1yo.

If you're worried, go and ask the GP.

Thank u dewe, that's encouraging.

Out of interest, you say if there are other reasons why I think he might be hypermobile other than not walking - what other indications are there?

Yes - I didn't think (if he has it) hypermobility came from me in pregnancy but I suspect all my sisters and mum have it to varying degrees

Thanks

My DD crawled at 10.5 months and walked at 15.5 months!

Completely normal

DD has just been diagnosed as hypermobile, she crawled at 15m and didn't walk till 22m! When I took her to the dr about the non walking at 20m I was told that they consider it "normal" to start walking between 9 and 15m, but would tack on an extra 6m beyond the 15 before they got worried. So even DD was only just beyond "normal".

If you are worried see you GP, but as DeWe says you are likely just to be told not to worry just yet.

I'm bumping for you..

I have a 14.5 mo who still isn't walking, she will cruise on the furniture but will not use her walker. She's a very fast crawler but still not a lot of interest in walking.

Hey, I only walked when I was 17 months (apparently I liked sitting around a whole lot...) and I've turned out to be very active and healthy :) I wouldn't worry yet. Sounds like he is developing just fine. DS walked about 14 months, but was climbing everything and pulling up around 10 months - it seemed he could do everything active except walk! And when he walked eventually, he walked well.

Hi,

My son is hypermobile and still not walking at 2.1 (although he's a super-active little boy). He has been crawling like the wind since he was 8mths though so I wouldn't necessarily discount hypermobility in your DS, it only causes a problem with crawling if its in the hips (and maybe the elbows, not sure). Anyway, my DS was the same as yours, cruising a little bit, able to climb but hated his walker and wouldn't really walk with our hands until he was about 18mths (he liked a solid piece of furniture to hold on to).

I first took him to the docs at 15mths about it cos I could see his ankles were rolling in when he stood but was fobbed off so took him to a different doc and he was referred to an orthapaedic consultant. He first saw her at 17mths, wouldn't really stand up for her so she did nothing and said she was sure he was a confirmed crawler and would see him again in 4mths (when she was sure he'd be walking). 4mths came and went with no appointment through, chased it up but ended up not getting a repeat appointment til last month, 6.5mths after the first appointment!!! Anyway, she finally took things seriously and noticed the extreme flexibility of his ankles so referred him to physio. He had his first physio a couple of weeks ago (at exactly age 2.1) and the physiotherapist raised her eyebrows as she noticed mild hypermobility in his hands, feet and knees and extreme hypermobility in his ankles. Basically, he should have been getting the physio a lot sooner!! Anyway, think my point is if you are at all worried then see a doc now and mention that hypermobility runs in the family cos it may take a good while for things to get moving if there is a problem. It may be that your DS doesn't have it and is just taking his time, or that he has it but will strengthen up without intervention, its better to be safe than sorry though.

Btw, hypermobility is genetic afaik so if you were diagnosed with it in pregnancy then you've prob always had it but just not severe enough to notice. I have it, and so does my mum but its never really bothered either of us.

Also, please try not to stress about it too much, even if he does have hypermobility all it probably means is that he'll maybe need to strengthen up for a little bit longer than other kids before he starts walking so might take him an extra few months. I used to get quite stressed about my DS but with each passing day I'm noticing how much steadier he is on his feet so I'm happy to just let him get there in his own time now. Tbh, I think he would've walked months ago if he wasn't such a whirlwind on his knees (both crawling and knee walking ).

Anyway, I would def take him to your gp if you are at all worried but may be nothing wrong at all.

P.S. Sorry for epic post

Hi, It is quite frustrating waiting for them to walk when they don't seem to want to.

My son didn't crawl till 12 months and walked at 18 months. Has hypermobility. Can sit in a w position e.g. with hips flat to the floor. Now at 4 you could never pick it although still clumsy.
If I could do it all again, I would definitely not listen to the 'ít wll be alright' brigade, because whilst late walking does run in my family, physio is important and helpful.

It can also rule out dyspraxia and put your mind at rest. 15 months is not late having said that. Worth checking out though.
Also the temperament of the child could come into play, my DS is very risk averse, he wanted to practice and practice, by hanging on to things. When he was ready he walked well.