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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Late walkers - how late were yours??

25 replies

tatcity · 07/07/2004 01:52

DD2 now 20 months and not walking, not showing any interest in walking.

she has been referred by HV plus GP to orthapedic consultant. Is this really necessary?

Some people seem shocked when they learn she can't walk and others say they know loads of kids who didn't walk until late. What do you think? Should I be worried? She stands, climbs, moves around furniture but just crawls or knee shuffles herself about....

OP posts:

jampot · 07/07/2004 01:55

both of mine were 15 months (too fat to walk)

princesspeahead · 07/07/2004 01:57

DS1 was 19.5 months. And didn't do any cruising or standing before that, just crawling. He is now a very active 3.5 yr old! I'd go along to the consultant just to put your mind at rest, but if she is standing and cruising and bearing weight then she is fine. Just very happy with her own efficient mode of transport at the moment!

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 02:00

Princesspeahead - yeah, positively proud of her knee shuffle, laughs every time she does it, but can't help thinking she looks a bit peculiar when she's doing it! Bless...

OP posts:

Janh · 07/07/2004 02:06

My latest (DD2) was 19 months. (I was 18 months myself, allegedly). She didn't even crawl until 12 months. (At 17 months someone mentioned, as she sat on my lap, how clean the bottoms of her socks were - they couldn't see the tops, which were black!)

She's 19 now and quite nimble.

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 02:08

She won't keep socks or shoes on so I don't have that problem. Thing is, she's been crawling since 6 months so she's been crawling for over a year now!!

OP posts:

Janh · 07/07/2004 02:17

When you say she knee shuffles, you mean she walks on her knees? But will stand and cruise (and bear her weight?) on her feet?

It sounds as if she just doesn't feel like walking yet, but I suppose the HV/GP want to make sure there is no underlying problem. I don't think you should worry, just go along and see what consultant says.

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 02:22

Yeah, she actually walks on her knees. HV said she's never seen it before. It is odd, but she obviously thinks its the best way to get around. Wonder why she decided to do that rather than walk? They would normally progress from crawl to walk wouldn't they?

OP posts:

Janh · 07/07/2004 02:28

As far as "normal" goes, yes, they would normally go from crawl to walk - but they don't all crawl, even, you get commando draggers etc. Maybe your DD just prefers atm not to be too far from the ground. It certainly sounds as if her legs can function properly!

clary · 07/07/2004 04:24

tatcity (is this a ref to yr house btw? (or maybe mine) my DS1 crawled late (11mo) and walked lateish (16.5mo) but still in the normal perameters. Normal for this purpose is walking by 18 mo I think. So yes, based on that, it is worth having your DD seen by an expert. However, if she's bearing the weight on her feet ie standing then as Janh says, that sounds OK. 6 mo is early to crawl...do you feel she's not made much progress? DS1 is now 5 and while a good and happy walker, is not the best at gross motor in general (late hopper, still can't skip) tho very eager to please (bless). But he's fine. H/ever a colleague has a DS who was v late walking, but everyone said, never mind, he'll do it, etc etc; then by 2 he still wasn't doing it. He's now just 5 and walks of course, but clearly delayed in gross motor. NOT wishing to alarm you with that story but just want to make the point that the milestones do have a purpose, and it is worth checking up and keeping a watchful eye. Don't worry too much tho - just take the advice and help on offer.

Jimjams · 07/07/2004 11:16

agree with clary- best to get checked out. DS1 was a late walker (17 months, crawled at 13 months), fine now. Also a late talker- was told he would get there would do it blah blah blah- at 5 he still isn't talking. Because of waiting lists always accept appointments when offered - even if they turn out to be a waste of time.

Ghosty · 07/07/2004 11:23

tatcity,
My friend's DD walked on her knees too. I had never seen it before but my friend said that her DD just felt happier doing that than walking. Two weeks ago she decided that she had had enough and got off her knees and walked properly (She is 18 months old) ...

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 16:10

Clary - yes exactly, I feel she hasn't made any progress (physically) really - keep wondering if there's something I should have done to help things along. Did all the usual encouraging but she just screams. I can see why she has been referred as 18 months was my cut off point too, but its just frustrating, especially as now she's such a lump I have to carry her everywhere and its physically exhausting!!

OP posts:

StickyNote · 07/07/2004 16:14

Does she have a trolley/pushchair/pushalong car etc.? That might help to encourage her.

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 16:15

Bought her a tractor thing ages ago in the hope it would encourage her, but she pushes it along while walking on her knees!! Same with little pushchair I'm sure she'll click one day soon that its easier to walk!

OP posts:

Fio2 · 07/07/2004 16:17

Oh tatcity dont go down the road 'maybe its something Ive done!' Been there done that, got the t-shirt. I would happily take the refferal to the othapod. I know I had to fight to be seen by one with our daughter. They will just look for any physical cause that may be causing the late walking. The physio is useful and will most probably just give her the extra push to walk. from what you have said physically she sounds fine, I dont think the physio will worry. If she is walking on her knees this is great! That means her muscle development has reached her knees it only needs to get to her feet now. from what you have said you have nothing to worry about, but take the help it is useful.

Fio2 · 07/07/2004 16:18

just a thought maybe manually keep putting her one foot on the ground then helping her with the other - from kneeling. keep doing it over and over until she starts to do it herself

strangerthanfiction · 07/07/2004 17:37

My dd walked around 11 months. BUT I didn't expect it for a moment because as a child I had everyone tearing their hair out with worry as I showed no interest in walking whatsoever and did just what your dd2 is doing, cruised, bottom shuffled, quite happily until nearly 2.5! You may want to take your hv's advice and see the orthopedic consultant just to set your mind at rest, but if it's any consolation, there was nothing wrong with me and I went on to do ballet for 12 years from age 4. My mom thinks it was because I was a cautious child and I didn't like falling over.

dinosaur · 07/07/2004 17:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

frogs · 07/07/2004 18:13

Late walkers here, too. Dd1 18 months, ds 20 months. Neither crawled or bumshuffled until after their first birthday. Dd2 looks to be going the same way, as she's now 6 months and has never rolled over.

Apparently age of walking is highly heritable, so if you and/or dh were late, that's likely to be repeated in your kids, so my GP told me.

I guess they refer at 18 months because most children will be walking by then and of those who don't, some will be having problems. Mine caught up fine, although they were late with knock-on skills such as pedalling a trike and kicking a ball.

Frenchgirl · 07/07/2004 18:25

dd walked at 22 months. never crawled, bottom shuffled a little bit. She seemed very happy just sitting, entertaining herself, chatting, looking at books, etc.... However we got her checked out and got help from a children's physio which was brilliant!!! I was worried about her and the help we got was just what was needed, giving her and me confidence. She is hyperflexible which was making it harder for her, but otherwise there seems to be no explanation for it. She will be 5 in a week, and although she isn't as good as others for running or jumping, she is perfectly fine!
I would get your dd checked out as it has been offered to you but if your dd is doing all this other stuff she should be OK. Good luck!

Piffleoffagus · 07/07/2004 18:28

ds early at 9 mths
dd still a non walker at 20 mths!
She cruises well walks holding one hadn but will not fall on to her bum so losing is not an option, so she would rather not take the chance!
It's worth asking for a physio referral, we got one and found that dd has muscle laxity in her lower bakc hips and stomach, so a bit more to do, but she gave us awesome exercises to encourage standing alone,

if you like I can scan the sheets and email them to you?

Jimjams · 07/07/2004 18:30

I don't think there is much you can do to help walking really tacity. frenchgirls post makes a good point- children with hyperflexible joints oare often late reaching gross motor milestones- but its the sort of thing thats impossible to spot unless you're a professional.

noddy5 · 07/07/2004 18:30

My ds was v late to walk and was referres to a consultant and on the morning of the appointment my sister came to take us and he just stood up and walked to her!He was about 23 months at the time so don't worry yet they are all different

Original poster

tatcity · 07/07/2004 18:34

Thanks for all that. Piffleofagus - that would be really helpful thanks.
Fio2 - sorry its just a natural reaction to wonder about this - I can't help it!!

OP posts:

Piffleoffagus · 07/07/2004 18:41

ok tat will copy them on Monday and send them to you via post or email whatever suits you!
xx

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