Nearly 18 months old - still not walking

[Annon54103]

My little girl is just about 18 months and still not walking. The health visitor came out to see her today and has been referred to a physiotherapist and we need to wait for an appointment.

She was late at crawling - about a year old. Now she just crawls everywhere. She will stand only whilst holding onto something and will stand about 15 seconds max. She won’t walk along holding on to any furniture or stand while holding on to walker.

Obviously I’m a bit concerned, is there anyone here with similar stories?

My youngest was similar. She didn't crawl until she was 18 months and we were referred to physio as she refused to stand. Physio gave us some strengthening exercises to do but I'm not sure if they made any difference if I'm honest. She started walking at 21 months. She runs everywhere now at 3 years old. You'd never know she was a late walker.

I should have also said when she does stand her feet look like they are facing in the way? I have no idea why and it could be normal for a child not yet walking but I don’t know

Please don't worry!
My DD didn't walk until 22 months, I was so worried and I would cry about it sometimes. They all get there in the end. I just used to tell myself "well she isn't going to be crawling into university is she so don't panic".
She will do it when she's ready and ONLY when she's ready

There was a thread about this recently. Some people reported children who didn't walk until 2, who are now perfectly healthy active children.
My own son was 18 months when he walked. He was a bottom shuffler and could get everything he wanted by scooting across the floor!

My DS was just a few days past 18 months when he finally let go and started walking. I was so frustrated seeing other children months younger than him strutting along!! He is now 26 months and you’d never now. He also crawled fairly late at just past 12 months.
Out of people I have met at toddler groups, there are two other children I know who walked post 18 months - one at 20 months and the other at 21 months.
Good luck!

Like Margaret , my son was a bum shuffler. He started walking a week before he was 18 months - on Xmas day! Prior to that he didn't really show any signs that he was going to walk soon.

My daughter didn't walk until her second birthday. Perfectly normal seven year old now who can run faster than me and do the splits .

Yup

DD never crawled. Bum shuffled from about 13-14 months if we put her in a seated position. But I contacted the health visitor when I noticed she couldnt roll, sit up by herself, kneel, pull herself up or even stand holding onto something like a chair/coffee table/us holding her hands. It's like her legs just collapsed under her.

We too were referred to physio. Diagnosed with hypermobility and weak lower back/glute muscles due to not spending much time on her front as a baby (bad reflux just meant she was in pain or puked). We were given activities to do at home to strengthen and encourage. And had sessions once every 3-4 weeks.

She Finally started walking just shy of her 2nd birthday. She's now 6 and actually a really good walker. Did 8 miles on the bee trail round Manchester the other week with no complaining 🤣

My sister didn't walk until 18 months, my mum reckons because she was doing so well at learning to talk she just didn't feel the need to. She didn't need physio, and now runs marathons so it's not like it's held her back.

It's good they're on it with the physio though, much better to be in the system early than late!

My dd didn't crawl until she was nearly 1, and walked just before turning 18 months. One day she just got up and started running around the place! We weren't referred but I did mention it to a physio friend at the time and she said they wouldn't be concerned until they're aged 2 and not walking, especially if they're pulling themselves up on furniture etc.

4 DC here. None of which crawled until over a year old and all were walkers around 17-18 months.

Thanks for all of the replies! Have definetly put my mind at rest.

Only thing that is still bothering me is just the way her feet is positioned when she stands, they just look awkward and think this is the main reason the physio wants to see her but hopefully it’s nothing to worry about

Yes my daughter walked for the first time at 18 months, did a funny one armed crawl at about 12 months that had me crying to the gp with it filmed on my iPad convinced she'd never walk. Didn't bear weight on her legs till over one, just wouldn't use them , it was an extremely worrying time.

She's almost 2 1/2 now. Runs super fast, scales furniture like Spider-Man, has to be strapped screaming into the buggy when we're out anywhere busy because she's off.

Oh, and I bet you're surrounded by people telling you that she'll just get up and walk all of sudden??
I wanted to punch people who said that to me but she just did it one day, I couldn't believe it.

No wobbly steps either, just properly walking all of a sudden.

My DS1 was 18 months before he walked, he was a champion crawler and I actually think it held him back because he could get where he needed to go. He practically walked overnight though, I picked him up from nursery one day and he just walked out the door - you could have knocked me down with a feather! He's always been late with anything physical and had to get reassessed after his 30mo check because he couldn't jump. He's three now and can jump but isn't very confident physically compared to his peers. There's nothing 'wrong' with him though. So don't worry, some kids do it late and there isn't actually something the matter.

Oh! I forgot, I didn't walk until after 18 mo either, I do have hypermobility but it's never held me back.

Mine was late walking - about 18 months. He crawled super early and then didn’t bother standing up.

How are her feet positioned? I didn't understand what you meant by them facing in the way.
Do they turn in? Has she got club feet?

My son was not walking or talking at 18 months. According to my hv that warranted a hospital referal. He was totally fine. Just lazy. He finally walked at 20 months (bum shuffled before then) and talked at 2. He is now almost 5 and never stops talking or running.