18 months, slow on the walking front...if it is hypermobility issues, what then?

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18 month DS can do up to about a dozen but he looks like he's not got great balance and he rushes so he often tumbles towards the end.

He can pull up, cruise, climb, do stairs, do the above - and walk holding the tip of a finger for quite a distance. But when he does his feet are turned out to about 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock if that makes sense - very duckish.

I think he has balance issues, and hypermobility issues which run in our family.

I am concerned it's taking this long for him to walk - mostly because I want him to be able to enjoy with the other babes his age, all of whom walk (the ones we know). We do lots of soft play, tumble tots, active stuff etc.

I'm going to see a physio at the Children's Centre next week. But if it is hypermobility, what then? What do they do?

I suspect hips are possibly more flexible than they should be...

Anyway, just wanted some thoughts.

If it is hypermobility they can suggest exercises to strengthen his muscles and improve his balance. And may also want to refer him for insoles/boots. Quite a few things that can be done.

My DS has hypermobility, he is 22 months old and he is only really starting to walk now. He's almost got it.

He went to see a physio and they said: taking him swimming will help, not letting him sit with his feet either side of him bum (w-sitting keeps hips bendy and slows walking progress apparently), buy him boots to support his ankles, let him walk around holding your hand as much as possible, encourage him to use push along toys. Lots of suggestions basically.

I did all of the above, but the thing that helped DS the most is this: I would stand him in the middle of the room and kneel infront of him then just let go! Lol he would obvs fall at first, and I made sure I always caught him. But I did it every day for about 15 minutes and within a week he went from falling straight down to walking across the living room. He rushed at first and fell a lot but I kept practising him and now I can just put him on his feet and he can nearly walk perfectly. Its only been 7 weeks of doing this.

So yeah, they can suggest things to help, but I think you just need to wait til he is ready and help as much as you can. It is frustrating when they are late to walk, as you said its hard watching them not be able to play with peers.

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Welshcat, that's interesting, thanks. We do all the things you mention - hand walking, swimming, no w-sitting - and we also do a lot of letting him walk between us or stand still. He's the same, got a lot better and less fast/more balance.

I'll keep doing this.

Did the physio say there'll be any long term issues/problems with his hypermobility?

Thanks again

Well, you'll have to see what the experts say. He may just be a late walker? DD didn't walk until 18 months, and that was only first steps. She fell over a lot and even at 20 months I remember her on holiday and not walking that well outside and on the beach. By 2 she had improved a lot and at 3.5 you wouldn't know she was a late walker at all.

Do have a look at www.hypermobility.org - message board called forum - tonnes of info!

The physio didn't say there would be any long term issues with it. From what I can gather from online info and talking to people, loads of people have hypermobility but only the more catious children's development is delayed.

Sometimes in adulthood it can cause people to suffer from injury more often when regularly playing impact sports, but I'm not sure if this can be put down to hypermobility alone.

I wouldn't worry, I was in the park the other day with DS and two mums of 3yos both told me their children didn't walk until they were 22/24 months old, and they didn't have any physical problems to explain it.

Some kids are just later! As long as your DC is seeing someone who can rule out problems then it seems like youre doing everything you can!