DS aged 13 months and doesn't stand - should I be worried?

[MrsWB]

I am probably being overly concerned here, but would really appreciate hearing your views.

My DS is 13 months old, and unlike all his friends the same age, he can't seem to take his weight on his legs. If I hold him in a standing position on my lap he goes on tiptoes and locks his legs briefly then they collapse.

He is a bottom shuffler which I have heard usually means a late walker, but I would have thought he would be able to stand with support by now.

BTW, I know all babies develop at different rates and am not at all trying to be a competitive parent - just want to be sure there is nothing to worry over.

Did anyone else have a similar experience with their DC?

yep - he bumshuffled along quite happily till finally walking at 22 months! Ask for a paediatric referral for physio and by the time you get it -hey presto, child will definately be walking!! Think of all the money you are saving in shoes, it is far easier to keep track of them, he will probably talk earlier and noone will know the difference when they are all 2.5 years old!

Yep - paediatric physio is the way to go. Here that's a GP or HV referral Some places just GP.

Suggest you have a chat with health visitor. 13 months seems a little late to not be able to support own weight on feet but not unheard of. I know they don't even begin to worry about walking unless child is showing no sign of it at at least 18 months, later if bum-shuffles.

DD too busy speed crawling. Can just about be bothered to stand up and walk holding hands at nearly 16months.
BTW - we've noticed her legs have really developed and are thicker and stronger in the thigh which I presume is essential in preparation for walking. This has taken a lot of pulling up and cruising. There is a lot involved with standing up and walking - it's a complicated skill of balance, physical strength, and confidence, and I personally wouldn't worry at this still early stage.

DD didn't support her own weight until about a week short of 14 months - I was a bit worried, especially given the number of babies I knew who'd been weight-bearing from about 4 months! When I mentioned it to HVs they would just ask if she was sitting unsupported, which she was (although she'd done that on the late side, 8 months). I think the message is that HCPs only get concerned about seriously late development, and that is much later than many parents realise.

My DS1 was not a text-book baby! Not crawling until 1 year and didn't walk until nearly 17mths. He didn't "cruise" until after 13mth I'm sure (sorry can't exactly remember). But he loved just sitting and didn't seem bothered. Also a bottom-shuffler before he finally worked out how to crawl.

He also never babbled at all and then suddenly started talking.
He's really lively and physical now and never shuts up!

Try not to get too worried what others are doing. I remember getting really stressed when I met up with my Mums' group because he was so far behind but he's great now.

BTW DS2 crawled at 7 mths and pulled himself up a month later. They're all so different!!

Bottom-shufflers walk late. They just do. None of mine would support their weight at 13 months -- dd2 just used to stick her legs out in front of her like a little plastic dolly if you tried to make her. They walked at 18 months (dd1), 20 months (ds) and 19 months (dd2). All normal now.

Lots of people don't understand bum-shufflers, so you may get referred by your GP or HV, but I wouldn't worry unless he is generally floppy.

But you will go through quite a lot of pairs of trousers over the summer, when he's bum-shuffling outside, so be prepared. I used to make a trip to oxfam every week to stock up -- put them on new in the morning, and by bathtime they'd look as if they'd been through the document shredder. People in playgrounds with stand and gawp and point. And get yourself a witty riposte to the inevitable hail of, "Oh, isn't he/she walking yet?"

No, dur, he's too busy sitting down solving the problem of world peace/doing differential calculus.

Thanks for all your replies. It's good to hear I'm not the only one. AgonyBeetle, my DS is just like a plastic dolly too if I try to make him stand! He just wants to get back to sitting because he knows that's how to get around.

Useful info about referrals too. Am going to give it a bit longer and if he hasn't improved at all in a couple of months may get an opinion from the GP just to see.

But am definitely feeling encouraged by hearing about fellow bottom shufflers and late walkers. Will take the advice to stock up on trousers too!

also point out that bottom shuffling is much more efficient as you can carry things around when shuffling, but not when crawling!

Hi
My lil girl is 13 months old now and she is not bearing her own weight,not going forward in a walker but goes backwards fine and if i try to stand her up she hates it n would start crying.
she has strted bum shuffling though jez recently and i got all her xrays and blood tests done n shez fine but all the questions from CONCERNED RELATIVES n FRIENDS making me worried.
Any suugestion of some exercise or something which encourage her to alteast start bearing her own weight.

Hi our daughter is 2 in 3 weeks, she has never beared any weight on her legs, crawled or turned herself over. She can only bottom shuffle. we are seeing specialists at the JR in oxford, she has hypotonia and is hyperflexible. we have been going through physio etc and she has a rectal biopsy on the 16th to see if she has hirschsprung disease due to her bowel problems. its been very stressful and it may take her until she is 4 or later to even try to walk on her own, she has never even tried. I think it maybe due to me being hypothyroid (and I still am) during pregnancy. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks Emma