Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

Original poster

17 mo DD not walking yet

14 replies

GemmaJones · 22/09/2007 09:47

My daughter is 17 months and not yet walking. She crawled quite late - got around by pushing herself backwards for months before she realised there was a forward mode too! So started crawling at around 10 months. A couple of months ago she started cruising and she loves walking with people holding her hands, but she just can't walk herself.

I've tried to be relaxed about it, and to tell myself it will come when she's ready. But I people are making comments about it. My mum asks if she's walking yet every time she phones. And now her nursery have said she's unhappy there because all the other kids are walking and she gets left out. The woman who runs the nursery (who sometimes seems a bit of an idiot, tbh!) said to us months ago that she thought there was a problem with one of her hips, but I couldn't see it. We have taken her to the dr to get it checked out, and are waiting for a referral to a specialist.

I read somewhere that normal walking age is from 9 months - 15 months, and am just a bit worried that it might mean something more. She's ok developmentally in all other aspects - has very good small muscle control etc, but am worried that this might be a problem.

Sorry about long post! If anyone has any experience/tips for late walking kids, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

OP posts:

motherinferior · 22/09/2007 09:52

My older daughter didn't walk till around this point; and now walks rather further and more sturdily than many other six year olds. There may, of course, be another problem here; but I wouldn't think that not walking alone at this age necessarily indicates one.

Everyone else goes on about their babies doing things yours can't. Women from my antenatal group were 'complaining' about theirs running when DD1 was still doing nothing but sit on her bum...

NKF · 22/09/2007 09:53

You're doing the right thing by asking to see a specialist. Try to get the appointment as soon as possible. Good luck.

LucyJones · 22/09/2007 09:54

my ds didn't walk until 21 months. he loved crawling and found it easier I think. Don't worry.

Original poster

GemmaJones · 22/09/2007 10:54

Thanks for all your comments. I thought there must be other mums out there who had late walkers, and guess I just wanted reassurance.

I agree, motherinferior - there's such a one-upmanship with some mums! Even when trying not too, I guess its just hard not to brag a bit at how well/early your kid is doing things!

I guess I'll wait and see what the specialist says. Did you mums who had later walkers try and do anything special to encourage them, or did it just come when they were ready?

OP posts:

WendyWeber · 22/09/2007 10:57

There was another thread about this a few days ago, I'll try to find it for you - but anyway there was quite a bit of anecdotal evidence (including mine) saying don't woryy yet.

(Mine was that DD2 didn't crawl until 12 months - so yours is ahead of her! - and didn't walk until 19 months. And I was the same - if it's in the family it's much less of a worry - ask around your relations!)

WendyWeber · 22/09/2007 11:00

Here it is!

(I appear to have reversed her and my walking ages and now I honestly can't remember which way round is right - I'm really losing me marbles )

tizzwhizz · 22/09/2007 11:26

According to my mum I was just over 18months when I walked. Also I used to be a manager for Startrite kids shoes and we were told in training that some children can learn to walk anytime between the ages of 7 months and two years. I shouldnt worry too much. Think you are right to see a specialist if you are worried at least it will put your mind at ease.

mumeeee · 22/09/2007 12:00

DD1 didn't start walking until she was 21months. I now work as asuply nursery nurse and in the nursery where I have been working. There is a baby of 8 months already walking round the firniture and trying to walk on her own and a 19 month old who has only just taken her first steps and still prefers to crawl. So don't worry about youe daughter she is withen the normal range.

jbabe · 22/09/2007 16:20

My DD didn't walk until she was 21 months, despite all our encouragement. The paedatrician said it was a sign of intelligence; a diagnosis I was happy to accept!However once she was ready she was off. One day she just got up and walked the length of the kitchen. The most stressful part is other people's questions. It's much easier if it's a second child because other people take much less notice of their mile stones. Rest assured your DD is within the normal range.

canmummy · 22/09/2007 16:26

DD1 didn't walk until 18 months - I just let her do it in her own time rather than anything special to encourage her. I was just starting to get worried when she did it! (My main reason for wanting her to walk was I was pg at the time and starting to struggle to carry her around and from the car etc )

Another tip from a was to get them walking shoes as soon as they start to walk instead of waiting for them to be proficient at it as they benefit from something sturdy on their feet. I found this particularly helped but I made sure I got her measured properly.

karmil52 · 24/09/2007 15:24

My daughter is 20 months old and cannot walk. She can bottom shuffle very fast. She pulled to stand for first time yesterday hooray but is a long way off walking!

My son (now 3) walked at 20 months and is now one of the most agile children I've seen.
I'm a health visitor so have seen children walk as late as 27 months.

Late walking is genetic and as long as they weightbear through their legs and can pull themselves up to stand they will eventually walk. It's interesting that you mention good small muscle control as late walkiers often have advanced fine motor skills/advanced speech.

snoozer · 24/09/2007 19:30

My mum tells me that I didn't walk until I was over 18 months. Despite that I grew up to be very coordinated and sporty too!

scattyspice · 24/09/2007 19:39

DD walked at 27mnths. She was a champion bottom shuffler!

fibernie · 24/09/2007 19:56

My DD is nearly 21 months and still not walking on her own. She can walk the length of the park holding one hand, and pulls and furniture walks all the time. She just won't let go of us. She knee-walks most of the time, which is very amusing, although wears out the toes of her shoes and the knees of her trousers!
She'll walk eventually, but it does give me the odd (albeit fleeting) moment of worry.
Interestingly, she's always had very good fine motor skills and is able to feed herself really well with cutlery, can hold a glass of water and drink from it without spilling etc.
I'm looking forward to the day when she just ups and walks across the room.

Flip