toddler walking with a strange gait

[satinandsilk]

My daughter is 17 months old and we've noticed she walks with a bit of a strange gait. She sort of rocks - legs quite wide apart. She was a late walker- only really been up on her feet for the last six weeks-ish - and I didn't really think anything of it until someone else mentioned it; and now I'm really worried. A quick 'google' suggests it may be fairly common but my instinct is to rush her off to the doctor to be checked out. Any similar experiences/advice?

Hi Satinandsilk, I had a similar walking method as a baby. All babies find their own way of walking so this may be a transitional phase. Doctors were of no use to my mother with her concerns about this - although this would have been 30 years ago or so, so attitudes may have moved on. If it doesn't change you might find a checkup with a chiropractor useful to be reassured that there isn't anything physically wrong. Some additional time with playmates of her own age, to give her someone to copy might help, if she doesn't have any older siblings.

thanks. she has a big brother. I'm hoping it's just because she's almost literally still finding her feet, but I will keep an eye on it. I work full time, so don't see lots of other children her age to compare - it was actually our nanny who brought the subject up. She said she'd been looking at other little girls my daughter's age, and that they don't walk like her. Which of course freaked me out....

My DD walked at 18 months with a waddle (not sure if this what you are describing) and it turned out she had hip dysplasia. Obviously don't want to worry you as it's unlikely to be this but the sooner it is detected, the better. Get your gp to refer you to a physio if you have any concerns. Don't get fobbed off by your GP like we did initially and insist on a referral! Our nursery manager spotted the problem - we were totally clueless.

thanks NotFrazzled - i will def take her to the GP. I had another look at her this morning and she 'in-toes' - walks with legs quite far apart and her toes pointed in a bit. This does seem to be quite common, judging from internet, but would like to be reassured it's nothing serious and will sort itself out..