18 month old not walking

[lola2707]

Hi,

My DS who is 18 months, took his first steps last month, can stand up in the middle of the room on his own and do a few steps but it’s very few and far between. He will walk holding one hand outside etc but I thought once he did his first steps he would keep at it and walk more and more each day but he’s not. Is this normal?

I spoke to the HV who said she will touch base again next month to see how he is progressing.

Just to add he was poorly a lot last year with reoccurring bronchitis and spent a month in hospital in total last year so the HV did say this could “delay” milestones slightly.

Mine took his first steps on his 1st birthday then didn't walk again till he was 13 months.

He runs Ultramarathons now. 🙂

@Megsdaughter thank you for that. Hopefully he walks properly in a few more weeks ☺️

Mine is 17 months and just started walking more and without holding hands, but took his first steps over 2 months ago. Like you I thought progress would be more linear! I think it's normal, just keep going with encouragement and lots of opportunities for practice.

My daughter was the same and I had her seen by a chiropractor who explained that her hips were 'out' a bit. That meant she didn't feel as stable, so was more reluctant to walk. Once that was sorted(2 visits) , she was fine.

@SpringOne that’s good to know and thanks for sharing. Yes we really encourage him, when he stands up on his own now he says “wow”☺️🤣

Thank you!

Hi! I really wouldn’t worry too much, he can stand and take some steps so totally moving in the right direction. My son couldn’t put any weight through his legs until 24 months but now at 3 he is running around with other children his age :)

ah thank you ☺️ glad to hear your sons ok too ☺️

I was a late walker, probably similar to where your son is now. I turned out fine. It sounds like he is definitely moving in the right direction, try not to worry too much OP.

My DS took his first steps at 12 months and was cruising/walking holding hands for months before that but didn’t start walking independently until he was 15 months, I think he just found crawling easier. Like yours he was in and out of hospital with bronchial infections in his first year, not sure if it was related. In any case I wouldn’t worry, sounds like he’s absolutely on the right track and they all do stuff in their own time.

Really normal.

DC1 didn't walk until 21 months - never stood unaided or tried to take steps. Then one day he left go of the chair and walked across the room. No wobbles or anything.

DC2 at 13 months was standing up unaided, trying to take a step, falling down, getting up etc.

Kids develop at their own pace and upto 22months is considered normal.

My oldest daughter didn’t walk until she was 18 months. We bought her a little grocery cart for toddlers (Fisher-Price or some other kids toy brand, it’s been years). She took off with it. Hope there are still similar out there to try.

Thank you all so much for your replies. You’ve made me feel so much better ☺️

Grandson didn’t walk until 17 months and I was getting a bit , now at 2years he doesn’t stop climbing and running

• bit worried

DS took his first steps at 16 months then decided that was enough of that, thank you!

Now at 19 months we’ve got a lot of unaided standing and he will then take a couple of steps from the standing position to the sofa or the table etc. Not at all concerned as he’s clearly progressing in both ability and confidence!

My second DS do didnt walk at all until 22 months. I did get him checked out, but he was fine. Once he started there was no stopping him

My DNephew didn't walk until well after 18 months old and when he did start, didn't then do it much as he didn't seem to like it. He does have some gross motor skills difficulties (i.e. is rubbish at tennis - nothing more) but it's mainly to do with the fact that he's vasty tall (6'6").

At 18months I'd go and have a check up with a paeds physio. Just to check all is good and muscle tone is there.

You don't mention what he can do, if he's reaching all other gross motor markers then I'd probably be a bit more relaxed.

What do you do with him? I'd do a lot of active play, outside, bare feet, climbing- really encouraging him to strengthen his balance.

All mine were walking before their first birthday but very late with speech- hardly any babies hit everything bang on target.

Is he a high centile? My child who was 96th centile for height and weight was much slower to get going than my 70/50 centile one. The paediatrician said it was because it was so much harder for him to get off the floor and build the muscles up.
Also his personality is extremely content and laid back, so he was happy to be where he was and not motivated to move around. My other child was more driven to explore.

Another vote for doing a good check with the HV. You want to be checking if this is an isolated concern or if there are other skills you need to work on.

I have spent 45 yrs working with children with developmental concerns. I live in a small community and have seen how so many end up doing well. However always better to be doing something early than ignoring it and regretting that later.

My daughter took about 2 months from taking her first steps to actually walking about but others will just suddenly start walking one day. They're all different but it sounds like he's making progress as walking holding just one hand takes a lot of balance and stability!

As PP have said it's worth checking with the HV that they are happy with his progress though

Both my children didn’t even attempt to stand up, never mind walk, until they were about a month off their second birthdays. Both are now adults and totally fine. I hope that is reassuring.

My dd didn't walk independently until 22 months. She only runs now at 2.5 years. I had it all investigated at the time but nothing was wrong. I think she was just overly cautious and afraid of falling. It was an afternoon on a trampoline with her older cousins which finally got her moving.
She was slow to crawl too and just not adventurous overall. Meanwhile her fine motor skills and language were really advanced. I think the brain just develops in its own way and prioritises certain skills over others. I was never worried myself but my sister (a gp and mother of 3) was a bit concerned at the time.