Can your late walker stand alone?

[dizzee]

My 14 month old ds has been a bit slow on developing gross motor skills, but is finally crawling (from 12 months) and pulling-up easily (from 12.5 months). He's also been cruising the furniture and walking holding hands for about a month. He doesn't walk yet, but I'm not too worried as I've posted on here before and I've had a lot of helpful comments about 14 months not being abnormal for not walking.

However, I am a bit concerned that he cannot stand up without holding on (not even for a second). If I stand him up and try to let go he just bends his knees and goes straight to crawling. He also only walks if both hands are held and if I try to just hold one hand he just takes a few wobbly steps and then sits down.

Anyway, just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this. I'm a bit worried he might have a problem with balance, or maybe he's just being cautious. He also doesn't climb onto anything (although he can crawl upstairs).

My two didn't walk until 17/18 months. They didn't stand without holding on until they took their first steps.

They walked for ages with both hands being held and then progressed to just holding one finger but if I let go they'd drop down straight away! I think they just found crawling much quicker.

I think it's often a confidence thing. I really don't think you have anything to worry about and I reckon he'll just start walking one day in his own sweet time

Also, my DDs may have been late to walk but at 22 months there is no sign of this and they run around happily - they caught up with their friends almost immediately. It's like something just clicks and then there's no stopping them!

My late walking dd couldn't stand even when she finally took her first steps at 20 months! We had to try and encourage her to set off across the room and not throw herself at the nearest bit of furniture. The standing alone came eventually although her balance isn't really that brilliant compared to my super sturdy ds!

You could try standing him up in wellies - they are quite stiff and supportive and my dd used to like doing this!