19 month old still not walking or cruising but Dr can find nothing wrong with her! Any advice?

[inadreamworld]

Hi - not sure if I am going to get any replies to this as I don't know anyone in my situation.

My 19 month old DD has been crawling since she was 12 months old. She was late rolling, sitting up and crawling but in all other ways is perfectly fine in her development. She is now just turned 19 months old and has never pulled herself to stand, never cruised round the furniture and certainly never tried to walk.

She crawls everywhere very fast. I have obviously been to the paediatrician at my local hospital. She has had blood tests for all possible muscle diseases/genetic diseases - all clear. Nothing wrong with her hips/knees/legs - they checked them out. She can actually stand up if you pull her up by her arms but she doesn't want to do it. The longest she has stood up for is when I made her hold on to a chair whilst standing to look at my Mums cat which was sitting on the table (she loves the cat).

All the paediatrician said is 'she might be a bit hypermobile'. She has been referred for physiotherapy at my local clinic (have appointment in a few weeks) but I just can't see how they will get her to walk when she doesn't even want to try!! Has anyone been in this situation - I know of children her age who are pulling up/trying to walk at her age but DD is not interested at all in trying and even has tantrums when I try to make her. Apart from this problem she is a chatty (over 20 words) bright and lively little girl. Advice really needed!!!!

[desi279]

Bump

[bishboschone]

Again you could have described my ds.. We go to the park but he gets wet knees. , all
His shorts are worn out and he needs a buggy wherever we go. I think ill pm you . What a shame you are in Yorkshire .

[Gyllenhaalic]

Thank you for replying. Sorry I seem like I'm being nosey (I am a bit ) but all my friends have had these walking at 10 months, talking in sentences at 18 months babies and I just have never met another child like my DS.

Sorry to hear your DS is not good with speech though. I think that only adds to their misery and frustration. To be honest my DS1 was a bit of a grump until he could walk and talk but thankfully he was walking by his first birthday and talking pretty well by about 20 months so DS2 seems well behind .

Do you know how many words your DS has? Have you spoken to anyone about his language? It could of course be absolutely fine so no point in worrying but I've always wondered with my DS if the two delays he has are related. I don't know. It's like he's still a baby when all the other kids, some of them even younger than him are well into toddlerdom by now. I still have to plan for things and activities as is he was a baby. Pushchair, which he gets bored in anyway. soft play, he just crawls around in the baby area. He can't really get much from a trip to the park because as DS1 runs around and climbs everything, DS2 just crawls about moaning! I have to make sure the ground is dry, safe etc. It's just so much harder. I know people say enjoy the baby phase while it lasts but I am well and truly done with it! I want him to become a child but I worry how he'll be growing up and if any other delays will show up as he gets older and keeps missing milestones. Poor boy is just not a happy soul at the moment.

Thank you so much for the offer of trying out the walker. That's very kind and thoughtful of you. Unfortunitely we're in Yorkshire so a fair way from you! thank you for the thought though!

[bishboschone]

No my ds speech is not good. We haven't got piedro boots because my physio says he doesn't have hyper mobile ankles.you can buy a walker for eBay for around £100 but If you are anywhere me you are. Welcome to try mine .( West Sussex)

[Gyllenhaalic]

Just googled Kaye walkers! I wonder why thy the physiothersapist never mentioned these to me? He's also seen an orthotist at the hospital and had some orthopedic boots made for him. I'm not sure they're doing any good to be honest. The physio seems to think he may have slightly weak ankles and mild hypomobility in his knees. Anyway, the boots seems very heavy and even when he's holding both our hands he trips on them and seems less stable than before but maybe that's just a case of getting used to them. I keep hearing mixed things about shoes too Nancy The paeditrician he was already under for his reflux, said the best thing was to let him crawl, pull up and cruise bare footed in order to build up his strength, then the physiotherapist said these piedro boots might help so she refered us to the orthotist. I am torn now not knowing how to help him.

Yes bishboshone he's 19 months. Very unhappy, demanding time in his life. Poor boy. He sounds just like your DS. Has your DS got any other delays? How is his speech? My DS's speech is coming along very slowly but he seems within the 'normal' limits. He has a fair few words, maybe 30 odd but none of them are very clear. I just keep worrying that he'll always be playing catch up with other children his age.

[bishboschone]

Sorry I have just scrolled up and seen he is 19
Months.. ! He crawled at 12 months but commando . He only started crawling properly at 18 months so we are way behind .

[bishboschone]

You could have just described him exactly !! Reflux and all.. How old is your dc? He loves walking with his walker and if he sees it he points and shouts until I take him out for a walk !

[Gyllenhaalic]

bishbochone, sorry to be nosy but how does your son seem at not being able to walk? I only ask because my DS is just plain miserable every day. He always has been hard work but increasingly he is getting angry and frustrated at himself and us. He loves us walking him around holding his hands but there is only so long I can do this for! My back is also killing! It seems like he's never been happy (was reflux baby- so we thought, tried medication but eventually seemed to grow out of i, just in time for the frustration and tantrums to begin )

Nancy, I am so glad you gave us an update. Really happy for you and DD. I bet she's so happy she can do it! I keep hoping it might be the key to my DS cheering up

[bishboschone]

Nor me .. I saw a child with one and went out and got one .. Is your daughter delayed in every thing or just walking? I bet you are relived .. My back is killing me !

[Nancyclancy]

I've only just discovered Kaye walkers. No-one had mentioned them to us.
The good thing to come from my dd walking so late is even people in our village who I'd never spoken to ask after her. One man told me that his son (now in his 50's) didn't walk until he was 2 1/2, for no reason.

I have found it so hard watching everyone else's babies overtake my dd and her being so frustrated. I've even avoided toddler groups because she'd get so cross and angry.

She's got a way to go but it's a good start!! I do think the later they are, the less confident they become!

[bishboschone]

Hi .. This thread has given more some hope.. My son is 25 months and not walking.. He has a Kaye walker and walks well with that and with our hands .. Keep the hope keep the hope !!

[Nancyclancy]

Hi Gyllenhaalic, my dd is a bum shuffler although she can crawl too.
This morning when I woke up, I would never have guessed that today would be the day.
She has had blood tests, regular visits to the paediatrician, and an MRI (which showed nothing.)
She has been seen by a physio too who couldn't find anything wrong either. So it's been a real mystery. I was really worried because compared with everyone else she's so behind. I've never met a similar child.

We have spent the last few months constantly walking around with her holding both her hands, which she likes doing. I thought this would at least build her up a bit and get her using the right muscles. We had mixed opinions about shoes, I feel they have helped. I got her feet measured and then bought her a second hand pair of Clarkes boots on ebay. I thought boots might support her a bit more then just shoes.

It has been so frustrating, especially as she has become quite angry.
She has progressed so quickly today that I'm hoping she'll be walking around properly in no time.

What has been lovely though, is everyone has been so excited and pleased for her because she's taken so long!!

[Gyllenhaalic]

Wow well done to your little one! How amazing. What a moment to remember! I have read this thread often and never got round to posting. My 19 month old is the same although he does pull up to stand now. He didn't craw until 15 months.

He's having physio just to tone up his muscles and try and gee him on a bit. He's also had blood tests and xrays, all of which came back clear thank goodness. I am just hoping he just one day walks like your DD!

[Nancyclancy]

FINALLY!!!! At the grand age of 27 months. My dd took the plunge and walked across our front room unsupervised! Very wobbly but it's a good start and gives us something to work on!!! Hooray!!
How's your dd getting on inadreamworld?

[Nancyclancy]

Yes I will keep you posted inadreamworld but be prepared to wait, I don't think it'll be anytime soon.

DD hasn't really progressed much more. But to be honest I'm past worrying now. She moves generally with ease and I think it's lack of confidence now. If I'm sitting on the floor, she'll pull herself up using me to cling onto. But she's still reluctant to pull up on sofa and she can't stand up without holding onto something.

I spoke to a lady today who's ds was a bum shuffler and he didn't walk until he was 2 1/2. He's now 18 and fine. They never knew why he walked so late!
Every now and then I feel a bit down about it as I feel she's missing out so much and seems so behind. But she's not concerned.

Just wish she'd do it!

[inadreamworld]

Hello mamjar yes it is frustrating when all the others of his age are running around! But as his blood tests have come back clear you can be reassured that there isn't anything serious wrong and he will walk eventually. At 16 months my DD wasn't pulling up at all and wouldn't even put any weight on her legs. She did start crawling normally at 12 months and wan't huge for her age so people just thought she was younger. Yes DD is making progress every day and is doing a bit less walking on her knees and more normal walking.

[mamjar]

My DS2 is 16 months and still not walking or even cruising. I have been very worried, aprticularly as until his past fortnight he was still only commando crawling and not pulling up to stand at all. He has now mastered the more traditional crawling position and pulling up to stand on everything (whether it's safe or not so I have got to have eyes on him all the time!). When he got to be 13 months and still wasn't even crawling we did get a referral to paediatrician and had his hips and legs x-rayed, he also had a blood test to check for muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases but all came back clear, thank God! The doctor now thinks he may be slightly hypermobile so has referred us for physiotherapy but I am worried how this will work as DS2 is majorly clingy and has a big fear of strangers and especially medical proffessionals poking about with him, I am assuming because of the xray and the blood tests he is a little more wary than others.

It is such a worrying time when other children of his age are zooming around running and climbing and my DS2 who is big for his age so actually looks about 2 is still only just mastering crawling. It is so hard not to compare him to DS1 as he crawled at 8 months and walked at 11 months. It's good to hear from others who are or have been in the same situation.

Good to hear from the OP that your little girl is now walking and making progress every day by the sounds of it. Sometimes I feel like DS2 will just never walk which is stupid but he seems like a toddler stuch in a 9 month old baby's body which must be hard for him aswell as us.

[inadreamworld]

Hi Nancy glad your DD is making progress. Can she stand up from sitting without holding on to anything? DD has just mastered this skill which I think has helped her confidence. Although she is walking now she is still very attached to the knee walking habit and goes back to it a lot, especially when indoors. She walks normally when outside although sometimes prefers someone to hold her hand. Today she walked accross the room, bent down to pick up a toy and then walked off with it. Previously she would have walked on her knees.

Keep me updated nancy!

[Nancyclancy]

inadreamworld I'm so envious but happy too that your dd has started walking. Just in time for the summer too! (When it finally arrives!)

My dd has a pair of Clarkes ankle boots. I studied her ankles today and they seem ok, but she definitely 'walks' better in boots compared to bare feet. I'm going to keep them on her during the day because she does seem to associate her shoes with walking.

Today we practised in the garden. Walking with her slow moving pushchair, she will not walk with it in the house but was really happy to do it outside. My dh walked up and down the path continuously with her, he was holding onto the handle to stop it going too fast (not supporting her at all.)
She loved it and when it was tea time she had a screaming fit because she had to come in. Also we've got a little step in our garden and she knows to lift her foot higher to get up it.

I've decided to get her ears checked, just to rule out any balance issues. Because she walks perfectly holding our hands but is still struggling with pulling herself up. She's not hypermobile either.
She's also quite bad tempered which I think is partly due to her age and being frustrated. So thought it was worth getting checked in case she's in pain.

Also my dh was talking to someone today whose ds didn't walk until he was 2 1/2. He's now in his 50's and they never knew why!

[inadreamworld]

Thanks anyway holidays it is helpful to know that DD is not alone in walking late! She did walk on her knees all the time and still does it sometimes even now she can walk unaided - because at the moment she can go faster on her knees than she can on her feet.

[holidaysarenice]

I've just read the rest of your posts! Just ignore mine its not relevant now!

Well done to your little girl!!!

[holidaysarenice]

I used to be a physio with kids and lots didn't walk to this age, but I can understand why you haven't noticed others.

The pushing toys on her knees is a good sign! Its seen as a step between crawling and walking. Get her doing lots of this and lots of sitting at a low table playing, sitting on her knees (tall sitting). If she's reaching for things she is playing with, she won't notice as much that she's having to get higher on her knees etc.

Yes yes to sturdy shoes too, little ankle boot types are good for support. Geox and kickers are good.

And swimming all the time.

Hope it helps - I'm sure your physio will be ace.

[inadreamworld]

Hi I am the OP!! Wanted to update DD WALKED TODAY ON HER OWN ALL ROUND THE GARDEN!!! SHE ALSO GOT UP FROM SITTING TO STANDING WITHOUT NEEDING TO PULL UP ON ANYTHING!!!! SHE LOOKS SO PLEASED WITH HERSELF!!!!

She has had the support boots for just a month and I think they have helped massively. She should have had them earlier really but I believed the doctors when they said she didn't need them. Lovely Mumsnetters sent me their DCs hand boots for her and I will be buying new oned when she grows out of these. Even without the boots she can walk but is less confident and her ankles still a bit bendy but they are straightening out a lot.

Housewren glad this thread has helped. Do try her in the boots to see if they make a difference. I have also met another Mum in real life who has a 20 month old girl who is not walking. So it is not as unusual as we imagine.

[Housewren]

I was considering taking him to a chiropractor to see if that helps, as he seems to wants to extend more than flex and his general slow progress. he had to wear a helmet for 4 months to correct the plagiocephaly, it helped a lot but there is still a flat spot, he also had a lot of hair but his plagiocephaly was so significant that his skull basically shifted forward on one side, his ear and eye also moved position and his forehead bilged on one side, he is much better now and if you didn't know he had had a problem you couldn't tell.
I get a lot of the he will do it in his own time, which does not help at all,
It is definitely reassuring to hear other people have the same or similar challenges and managed to find solutions. He is still in his shoes atm and he is wanting to stand for short periods of time so I think I will continue doing the exercises in them an dose how we get on.
I am glad to read that yours is progressing well.
Xx

[Nancyclancy]

That's really lovely Housewren it's just so reassuring knowing that there are others in a similar situation.
It's interesting that you've mentioned your sons head, because to begin with I wasn't concerned that my dd wasn't walking but she seemed to lack the general movement that babies have. She was quite stiff and although she was sitting at about 7 1/2 months, she couldn't roll until she turned 16 months. She couldn't get from laying down to sitting until 20 months.

Everyone kept saying that she'd do it in her own time, but I felt if she couldn't do the most basics, how could she possibly progress?
So, I took her to a Cranial Osteopath on the advice of a friend. I was a bit at first.
But I do feel he helped release tension and he commented on her flat head. I did notice this but I hadn't thought it was particularly flat. Also my dd has alot of hair. He said that head shapes can be linked to the delay of gross motor skills in some cases.

We haven't been for a while because he's not cheap but I do think it was worth while. My dd rolls about all over the place now and does everything really except walk. It's not until I read back over this thread that I realised just how much our children have come on.

I think my dd was set back by general lack of muscle tone and is now simply catching up.