DD now 18 months old and no sign of walking....

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She climbs on everything - so much confidence but when it comes to standing on her own, she hyperventilates, gets overexcited and falls down.

Cruises furniture but never lets go.
Is she the only baby who is this late in walking? Should I take her to the HV? A friends 9 month old came to visit today and was so odd seeing him walk and my not so little one, double the age and size crawling along!

I honestly wouldn't worry too much. My dd didn't walk until 17 months and didn't crawl either. Probably had something to do with the fact that I fetched and carried everything for her. (blush)Once she started - no stopping her!, but there is no problem in contacting HV if you are worried -thats what they are there for

I was a late walker - almost 2 according to my Mum.

I got there in the end, and I manage just fine now (most of the time)!

Sending reassurance to you.

My grandfather didn't walk until 2 but went on to be GB sprinter in his youth. My niece (17months) was referred to a specialist by a concerned hv, who said her hips weren't as aligned as they could be but walking would correct this, but to come back at 24m if not walking by then, but by then she was.

The consultant also recommended using a walker to pace behind (SIL thought her shiny, slippery floorboards meant dd lacked confidence in walking), go paddling at the swimming pool & go for walks holding hands between two adults.

My DB is a GP... a very good nanny friend of mine looks after a little boy same age as my charge... (ie just 2)

he was very very late at walking and would not even stannd or weight bear and put weight through 'standing up' legs at all ever.

(his aprenst are Drs to, and knew GPs dont even bat an eyelid until 18months!)
at 18months he went to GP and was referred.

at 21 months he just suddenly started walking.

as a result of this little boy (who my DB knows and has seen (in his house playing with his son type thing) we had lots of discussions about late walking and i asked him alot about it out of interest.

He told me that if they are cruising around the furniture and effectively walking while holding on (as they do around furniture) he would NOT worry at all until 2 years, and would be unlikely to suggest they do anything either.

Only if a child hasnt even attempted to walk or weight bear ever buy 18 months would he be concerned (hence Drs were concerned for my charges friend who had literally never put weight through hsi legs at 18 months) so, yes Drs were concerned, but all the tests etc they couldnt see what was wrong, but it was nothing at all... he was just a very late walker. and before they had found the non existnat problem he started walking himself

(he was also a VERY early talker, speeking loads and loads of words and short sentances at 13 months year old and has dropped his afternoon nap before his 2nd birthday.

Some chidlren are just faster at some things than others

as you child is cruising i wouldnt worry yet!

My ds crawled from 9 months to 18 months, at which point he finally stood up and started walking. He could get around at such speed whilst crawling it seemed to me that he never saw the need to walk!

Have posted on this subject before so repeating myself BUT for reassurance can I just say that my mum has pic of me in her photo album captioned "J's first steps" dated August bank holiday 1964. I was born in Sept 1962. So my first steps were at 23+ months. Absolutely nothing wrong with me (in the walking department!) at all.

please don't worry. she is probably just a late developer. ds is 21 months and not walking. have been told the consultants aren't worried as long as they are walking by 30 months but will start to look into it at 24 months. also my friends ds was 13 months when he sat up, 18 months when he crawled and 28 months when he walked. i also know a baby who walked at 29 months but he had hypermobility problems. some just do it a bit later than others.