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Original poster

is this normal for his age or is ds advanced?

28 replies

frootloop · 28/04/2008 20:50

im probably being very PFB, but if you pull him up by his hands from a lying position he will stand up and if you hold him in a standing position he will try and take steps forward, he is 10 weeks old.

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 28/04/2008 20:51

its a reflex

OverMyDeadBody · 28/04/2008 20:51

normal reflex

squeaver · 28/04/2008 20:52

put him down for the 100 metres at the 2012 Olympics !!

Original poster
frootloop · 28/04/2008 20:53

ooooh! i was wondering because when he had his development check the doctor said he had never seen a baby do that before.

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 28/04/2008 20:54

Ho ho. Newborn reflexes (He's been doing this behind your back from birth.

Now if he could make you a cuppa and bring you chocolate that would be impressive

harpsichordcarrier · 28/04/2008 20:54

from Wikipedia:

"Walking reflex
The walking or stepping reflex is present at birth; though infants this young can not support their own weight, when the soles of their feet touch a flat surface they will attempt to 'walk' by placing one foot in front of the other. This reflex disappears as an automatic response and reappears as a voluntary behavior at around eight months to a year old"

Hulababy · 28/04/2008 20:54

DD did this. Think it is entirely normal.

cazzybabs · 28/04/2008 20:54

what - was it a male doctor? clearly asleep during the peeds bit....well maybe he hasn't seen it bwfore

Original poster
frootloop · 28/04/2008 20:57

yes it was a male doctor.

OP posts:
blueshoes · 28/04/2008 21:06

dd's cousin did this. She did not walk any earlier than dd - both around 13 months.

Meandmyjoe · 28/04/2008 21:23

I thought they all did it?! They checked ds for it at the hospital before we came home, it's just a reflex. DS did it from day one and he's not advanced in any way!

Original poster
frootloop · 28/04/2008 21:40

i don't know how im going to break it dh, he's convinced himself ds is very advanced and has been bragging at work, perhaps i'll let him carry on believing it.
i was sensible enough to check here before i said anything to anyone.

OP posts:
helibee · 03/05/2008 00:41

The walking reflex normally disappears at 5-7 weeks so it shouldn't be a reflex anymore if he's 10 weeks old.

My ds has been doing the same thing since 11 weeks and at 8 months is virtually walking unaided. Some babies just like being on their feet so just be guided by him. By 13 weeks if you stood my ds up he could take one step forwards. I have a video of him doing walking about 5 steps at 16 weeks. Enjoy your clever wee monkey. You can tell your dh that your ds is a very clever boy

Meandmyjoe · 03/05/2008 07:24

Well I must admit, as I said before my ds has always done it. He didn't ever seem to lose the reflex ( I didn't know it was meant to disapear! ) But having said that, ds has always prefered to be up on his feet and loves to walk round holding my hands. Had to get him a walker in the end because he just wouldn't sit with me! Don't think he'll be and early walker though cos his legs are strong but his balance is crap!

bergentulip · 03/05/2008 07:30

Well, can you get him to have a quiet word with my 5mth old DS2?, cos he point blank refuses to put any weight on his feet/legs when I try and get him to stand. Just sits like a lump, lazy little so-and-so!

He did have the walking reflex though, and still does on occasions....

belgo · 03/05/2008 07:32

My dd1 did the same at age 10-12 weeks. I thought by that age it was no longer a reflex. She was walking very well by ten months. She's very strong with a good sense of balance. Some children just have that.

Meandmyjoe · 03/05/2008 07:36

Awww, bless him, he's very young to be standing anyway so I wouldn't worry! I was very paranoid about letting ds weight bare incase he hurt his joints. He kept wanting to stand sice day one and I kept just having to walk around and carry him every where cos he just wouldn't sit still!

Some babies just love to stand, others don't and will probably crawl earlier. DS is nearly 9 months and still isn't crawling, he just wants to walk all the time!

Nemoandthefishes · 03/05/2008 07:38

Mine all did it and didnt seem to loose the reflex. Were all early walkers [8-10mths]

brimfull · 03/05/2008 07:39

yes my ds loved being on his feet from very early on
he never crawled but also didn't walk on his own until 12months
months of back breaking hand holding went on

Piffle · 03/05/2008 07:47

If he is weight bearing its not the reflex. My ds2 has been physical since birth and was cruising early. He has always been able to weight bear. Many babies are strong like this. It can be a sign of physical development!

SmugColditz · 03/05/2008 08:17

Ds1 always did it. I thought all babies did until I had ds2.

SmugColditz · 03/05/2008 08:18

Ds1 didn't walk until 14 months though.

Jesus don't wish a mobile baby on yourself.

BerkshireBella · 03/05/2008 08:26

Apparently it is so babies could, if needed, get up the stomach to the breast to feed by themselves straight after birth... I've heard lots of people say that they've seen a video of a baby doing this and it is amazing but I've never seen it. Maybe I'll look on Youtube!

BerkshireBella · 03/05/2008 08:38

Reflexive "walking" and bobbing head to find breast at birth:

starting at 5 minutes 25 seconds. Amazing!
NurkMagiggy · 03/05/2008 08:41

Gawd, another talented baby. Ds2 is soooooo slow at everything and I would like to just say, if anyone fancies lending me theirs for a weekend so I can delight my relatives with clever baby prowess, I will give you some money