We have a late walker - what happens next?

[waveafterwave7]

DC2 is 1 week away from 18 months and not walking, or even standing. Please can somebody tell me what we can expect from now with the health visitor, what kind of tests etc will they do?

When you say standing do you mean pulling to stand or standing unassisted?

@2U2hey. They will stand with the help of an object, but not stand unassisted

They may get referred to a physio and paediatrician who will assess them and decide if any further tests are needed but these referrals can be quite slow. Being able to bare weight is a hopeful sign that it’s nothing too serious. Do his angles bend inwards when standing? Can be a sign of things like hypotonia or hypermobility.

First tests tend to be some blood tests and maybe a basic genetic test but it will depend on the paediatrician’s assessment and they might also say wait and see.

I think the advice is to see the GP rather than the HV?

I wouldn’t say this is excessively delayed. GP/Paediatrician wouldn’t be concerned until 2. I didn’t take any steps until 18m. My friends DS was 20 months when he took his first steps.

Probably not but the NHS advice is to speak to the GP of they’re not walking at 18 months

when it comes to development, you take dc birthday + 1 month time in account to measuring how old your child should be when doing these things.
so, your child is developmentally 18 month in 5 weeks time.
It doesn't hurt to talk to GP or pediatrician.

Gosh, I thought you were going to say older than that. By all means seek advice but hopefully it will turn out to be all fine and normal.

How is your little one at bottom shuffling or crawling? Sometimes if they have other effective means of getting around they are not quite so motivated.

Thanks everyone. They are fine crawling and just started to stand so not so worried now :)

My DD started walking the day before she turned 18 months. She’s now 4 and completely normal developmentally. I can tell though that she’s not sporty like her brother, but is much ahead when it comes to language etc compared to him at her age.

First steps were taken this week :)

Yay! Great news @waveafterwave7