2.3 DS has stopped wanting to walk down stairs - wants to be carried all the time

[remotecontrolled]

We probably got into the habit of carrying him when he asked, then realised what we were doing. Now he cries really hard when we wait with him at top of the stairs with our hand held out.

He seems fine eventually, when down at the bottom.

What I can't work out is whether he's just reacting because we've stopped doing something he wanted (carrying him) or whether there's a problem.

Should I go to the doctor? I don't know if I'd know if he was in pain

I don't think a doctor's needed (from what little I gather). How is he walking up the stairs? If he's fine going up, he's fine going down.

How do you feel about just leaving him to go down on his own when he's ready? (so leaving him having his 'moment' at the top of the stairs)?

If he is anything like mine, perhaps he is just trying to be in control and doesn't like you telling him no

maybe you could try making a game out of coming down the stairs to distract LO..my 2 and a half yr old loves bumping down the stairs on his bum!

No way do I carry my 2.3 yo down! I doubt your DS is in pain.

He might have had a wobble and thought he was going to fall at some point which has frightened him.

Have you tried encouraging him to sit on his bottom to come down or turn around and climb down backwards?

Thanks all - maybe he has had a wobble. He seems fine about climbing up. I'll trry and encourage him to sit on his bottom or turn around and climb down. That's a good idea.

Incidentally, coming up the stairs - he climbs but not with alternate legs. Goes up a stair at a time.

is that age appropriate? I have no idea about these things!

funny enough my dd who is 2.3 is exactly the same, races up the stairs no problem but will stand at the top waiting to be carried down!!

occasionally i will carry her down but more often than not we make a game of it and play "bumps" on the way down on our bums, works a treat xx

ds suddenly got scared of going down the big slide about that age when he'd been chucking himself down before. It was as if he suddenly got scared of heights, like he realised it was dangerous but was fine on the smaller ones.

Mind you I still sometimes carry him if he asks. He's an only, not like I have to train him to walk because I'm having an other. Sometimes it's quicker than arguing!

Alternate legs will probably come soon.

My DS 2yrs 4ms does this sometimes too. Sometimes he insists on being either carried up or down the stairs. I'm 7 months pregnant with DC2 and am no longer keen to oblige when he wants to be carried. I suggest we look out the window to see who's coming (Daddy?) and this distracts him enough sometimes to walk up/down by himself. Other times he has a tantrum and bangs his head on the floor. Occasionally I carry him (if I'm bursting to go to the loo and I need him to be somewhere safe).