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Children's health

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Original poster

My 21 month year old boy is still not walking

19 replies

Natasha1234 · 15/02/2011 19:02

Hello
Can anyone give me advise? He scoots at an amazing rate on his bottom, but has never crawled and always hated being put on his front. He does not pull himself up on anything but he is weight baring on his legs. I am at the end of my tether to be honest. Doctor says that hip/knee/ankle joints are fine. And in otherways he is developing well...can anyone give me some advise??

OP posts:

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whomovedmychocolate · 15/02/2011 19:06

Ask for a second opinion or a referral to the paeds. Some kids do take longer and it's not a problem but you need to get expert help because if he does have an issue, leaving it will only make it harder for him. :(

But it does not make him any less smart or able than his peers, he is just doing things differently and you should be very proud of your bum shuffler.

maryz · 15/02/2011 19:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

slartybartfast · 15/02/2011 19:10

if the doc is not worried that should be ok.
it will happen.
some dont walk til they are 2. he probably has no incentive if he bottom shuffles so well

Original poster

Natasha1234 · 15/02/2011 19:32

this is the first time I have used mumsnet and will def use it again...you have all been really helpful and reassuring...thanks a lot xxx

OP posts:

BarbarianMum · 15/02/2011 19:33

Which doctor says not to worry?

If a GP, I would want a more expert opinion. If you have already been referred to a developmental paed, or the like, and told not to worry then try not to - I assume you will have a follow-up appointment in a few months?

LadyBiscuit · 15/02/2011 19:34

My DS didn't walk until he was nearly 21 months. But he didn't do that tottering about thing either - just suddenly stood up and started walking one day. I think he was secretly practising, expect yours is too

maryz · 15/02/2011 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyBiscuit · 15/02/2011 20:00

Don't think it has changed maryz - my DS isn't 4 yet and my GP said what the OP's did. There's nothing wrong with him, some children are just late to walk, especially if they can get around very efficiently (my DS didn't bottom shuffle, he crawled, but very fast)

thisisyesterday · 15/02/2011 20:03

i would agree with WMMC.

I actually don't know what the "normal" age for walking is but 21 months does seem quite late.

do you have a nice Health Visitor you could speak to? or a different GP?

I would be expecting a referral to a paediatrician just to rule out any other issues tbh

BarbarianMum · 15/02/2011 20:17

maryz - can only go on a friend's recent experience. She was referred to paed when her daughter was not walking (and v. little weight bearing) at 18mo. By the time appointment came through her dd was 21 mo and had just taken her first steps.

LadyBiscuit · 15/02/2011 20:19

But there may have been other issues Barbarian? I know I googled frantically and it is within 'normal' developmental timeframes for some children to walk very late.

MoonUnitAlpha · 15/02/2011 20:21

Bum shufflers always seem to be late walkers - as maryz says they have less reason to than crawlers!

"Normal" walking age is 9 months to 2 years I think, and there will still be healthy children walking earlier or later than that.

ChocolateMoose · 15/02/2011 20:22

My friend apparently didn't walk until she was getting on for two years old. She walks fine now!

BarbarianMum · 15/02/2011 20:32

It's possible Ladybiscuit I certainly believe it is possible not to walk until 2 with no underlying problems.

Original poster

Natasha1234 · 15/02/2011 20:46

makes me laugh to think of him secretly practising...lol!!

He def is not though...may give it a few more weeks then take him back to the doctor...

thanks for all the advice....x

OP posts:

DrCosyTiger · 15/02/2011 20:53

Hi Natasha, I know exactly how you are feeling as my DD only started walking at 22.5 months. But try not to worry (not easy I know). As is clear from other posters, there is some disagreement about what constitutes the 'normal' range for walking. Some say 9-18 months, some say 9-24 months. My doctor doesn't refer any children before the age of 2 (unless there are other developmental issues). Now obviously I am not a doctor, but if your DS is weight bearing then I think it's very unlikely you have any cause to worry. By all means seek a second opinion if you want but it really doesn't sound to me like you need to.

The two main causes of delayed walking (other than simple stuubornness, attachment to crawling, lack of confidence etc) are cerebal palsy and hypermobility - I googled a lot If your DS has no other developmental delays (language/understanding OK, motor skills i.e. gripping etc OK) then it's extremely unlikely he has CP. He may be hypermobile (essentially over flexible joints) - my DD probably is a little bit (it's difficult to diagnose this young). But if he is then treatment at this stage would only be to try and encourage him to weight bear as much as possible to develop his muscles and he will get there eventually.

If it helps at all, once my DD started it all progressed very quickly. One day she took a couple of unaided steps, then within a week she was speed toddling around all over the place. I was starting to despair and it was so hard seeing all the other children of her age running around when she could only crawl. I think she just lacked confidence and once she got going there was no stopping her.

If it would help at all, please feel free to PM me as I've been through this very recently and can remember how worrying it is.

DrCosyTiger · 15/02/2011 20:54

Sorry cross posted while I was typing my essay

systemsaddict · 15/02/2011 21:03

Mine was about 20 months before he walked and I had his sister when he was 21 months so there was quite an imperative there for me!! He wouldn't go on his tummy either. No major developmental issues, he is v. bright and v. verbal and I think a lot of his energy went into that. But he is also self-conscious and won't let anyone see him failing - and I did actually catch him secretly practising at nursery once, hiding behind a slide!

mummytowillow · 15/02/2011 21:28

My daughter was nearly 19 months when she walked, she never crawled, rolled over or pulled herself up, she just bumshuffled everywhere!

A lot of people thought there was something wrong with her (I didn't), so we got referred to a paed, paed said she was fine and advanced with her motor skills for her age!

One day she just got up and walked, she was so chuffed, it was amazing!

Try not to worry xx

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