Not walking at nearly 16 months

[Madigan]

DD is not yet walking alone, and she will be 16 months old in a few days .... she can walk holding onto one adult finger (but prefers to hold on with both hands) and can stand alone for a few seconds, but that is it. She likes to crawl everywhere at speed. Should I start worrying???

nope

my DS walked at 17 months

2 of my friends children didn't walk until they were 22/23 months

it sounds like she is weight bearing etc and i am sure it won't be long before she is walking

No, don't worry. 16 months is well within the normal range, and she sounds like she's nearly there. FWIW my ds was 15 months when he walked, my neice was the same, and I know many, many others who were around this age or later.

No, don't worry, she's doing fine!
I know lots of babies who weren't walking at 16m. And in a way I think it can be a good thing when they wait a bit; less bunps and bruises in my experience.
Your DD sounds very sensible

My DD didn't walk unaided until she was 21 months! She just enjoyed sitting on her bottom. So I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. That said, if you have any concerns speak to your health visitor. Assume her hips have been checked and everything?

I should just add she's now a gorgeous, healthy 5 and a half year old!

If its just the walking then no, not at all. I am sure she will get there and be walking very soon.

If there is anything else then talk to your HV. My ds3 walked around this age and in comosite with a lot of other things it was eventually clear he has issues; but the walking was only a transient clue, the big issues are elsewhere.

As with all things, talk to a GP or HV if you are worried. If they feel you are over reacting, lsiten and be glad!. In the unlikely event they think there may be concerns then the earlier you seek help the better. IYSWIM?

Hope all is OK

Comosite!

Composite, clearly.

Madigan - my twins are not walking either - I am soooooo impatient for them to start! They are th same age as yours - will be 16 months in a couple of days. Everyone I've spoken to says it's totally normal (doesn't stop me getting impatient though!)

It is totally frustrating, but it does really sound like it's going to happen tomorrow. As others said they are weight bearing and no other major problems, so don't worry. My DS took 16 months also and it was a nightmare. I sympathise!

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom .... no other problems with DD, she is vey bright and cheerful and seems fine in every other way. She does weight bear, and walks well behind a walker or when I am holding her hand - so maybe it will happen soon ... in general she is VERY careful of herself, so I think she probably won't take off until she is certain she is 100% balanced!
It is frustrating though, and I am fed up with people being surprised that she is not walking yet ... and exclaiming that their DC started walking at 10/11 months etc ....

my nephew didn't walk til he was two and now he's a little sprite

I didn't walk til I was 17 months my mum said. I was concerned about ds when he wasn't crawling at 9months (bloody hv's) and my mum said I didn't crawl til 10m, 1st tooth at 10m and walked at 17m. Apparently dc's follow your pattern. Mine did apart from the walking, he did it at 14m, but I wouldn't worry about yours, there'd be signs in movements if there was anything serious to worry about. And when dc does start walking, you'll wish she'll just sit the blardy hell down and leave the toilet brush alone!

madigan she sounds fine

and next time someone says about ten onths say to them

'my friends son was walking well at ten months but it cant mean anything because it turned out he had autism and is disabled now'

(I have 2 sn)

watch their faces fall- serves them right for trying to scare you!

Madigan - your DD could be my DD2. She also is 16 months in a few days, walks holding onto one adult finger but not alone, can stand independently for a few seconds but far prefers to bum shuffle everywhere at speed....

And my DD1 was exactly the same. She eventually walked around 17 months. Should say that she is 3.5 years now and I was watching her at gym class the other day. You could not in any way tell which child there walked early or late.

Don't worry about the "oh is she not walking yet...?" brigade. When I get this about DD2 I just say "No. She has better things to do than walk. She's planning world domination."

always shuts them up.

Don't worry at all. My DD "walked" with her toddle truck at 12 months, but not on her own until 16 months. The constant practice with the toddle truck really seemed to strengthen her leg muscles and when she did finally walk, she hardly fell over at all and within weeks was completely competent.

my ds did exactly the same thing. couldn't walk without holding onto my finger until he was 17 months. felt absolutely helpless and took him to my gp. she told me that i should stop worrying and that it doen't matter how slow or fast they get there, because by the time children are four, they are all the same. ds is 7 now and i have just moved on to worrying about other things now

Definitely not!! DS could do this from 12 months but did not walk until 21 months.