Please help? DS will no longer walk

[CoffeeLover90]

I don't know if this is a behaviour thing or what to do?
DS is 3 next month. For the last few months he's walked everywhere and done fantastic. Onto buses, to nursery, supermarkets, stops before crossing a road, holds your hand the whole time. I couldn't have been prouder. Now and again he'd want to be carried. I suspect this was more for a cuddle as it mostly only happened on way home from nursery. He wouldn't want it for long and soon want to be put down. Now he's like a different child! I don't make it to the local shop, a 5 minute walk, without him wanting to be carried at least twice. Then on the way home he will cry and try to put himself on the floor because I can't carry him plus a bag of shopping. He has a harness type rein that he's worn since starting outdoors walking but preferred holding hands. Now he won't hold your hand and if he notices you have the reins he cries and tries to fight me off.
He has been eating a lot lately which has been a sign of a growth spurt in the past. I wondered if he may have growing pains?
I'm wary of using the buggy again, his speech is delayed, he's came on a little more since walking as he can now hear me speaking. But I'm really struggling to simply pop to the shop for a few essentials as I have a bag in one hand and reins in the other attached to a thrashing, screaming toddler. I've tried the calm approach, ignoring and simply picking him up in one arm (which he doesn't like but is the only way I could carry him) any advice please? Thank you in advance.

My 3 year old hates walking anywhere, she would go forever on her scooter though! Have you tried something like this? She has a wee scooter that folds up so it's easy to take on buses or whatever.

He does have a scooter and a trike but with the way he has acted lately, I think he's likely to zoom off to be honest. We have to walk by a main road when we go pretty much anywhere. He's got me on edge. I don't understand as a couple of weeks ago he was brilliant, walked no problem, followed my lead etc

I'd also try the scooter and maybe a shopping trolley for you that's day to park if you do have to chase him.

Staying calm, which I know can be bloody difficult, helps as well. Calmly repeating "hold hands or reins". Let it be a choice for him but those are the only two choices.

If he's got speech delay, has he had a hearing test yet? My DDs hearing was fine though when here's was checked.

He's had hearing test, no issues and has been referred for speech therapy. I'll give scooters a go but I'll need to keep him on reins at first. Something has to be done. He's obviously not light and I'm in a lot of pain with my back. It's unbelievable how much He's changed in the last two weeks.

If it is a sudden change, have you tried giving him a dose of painkillers to see if he improves? Sometimes they can find it hard to articulate when they're feeling a bit rough, especially if they have SLT delay. At least if he improves after painkillers you'll know the cause.

If the scooter is out, would attaching a strap to the scooter work?

I'd definitely get a shopping trolley though, if you haven't already. A pre-schooler, shopping and a bad back is not a recipe for a nice outing.

I was thinking it may have been growing pains it's just really hard to tell. A little calpol may help if it is. He's very upset when he can't be picked up. I'm going to try with the scooter today. Thanks all