16 month old not walking yet. Feeling down.

[jess2345]

I want to ask whether this is okay. My ds is 16 month old, and walks only with a walker. He can turn it around corners, but I constantly get. “Is he not walking yet” kinda comments and others are just highlighting how theirs was walking at 10 months. it’s really upsetting me. I feel like every gross motor milestone has been about 4-5 months out and tbh it’s been a massive pain and frustrating for all of us.

My now 16 year old was almost 17 months when she first walked 🤷‍♀️ She’s absolutely fine now (my son with autism walked at 11 months).

I have 2 children and one walked at 17 months, the other at 15 months. I was always amazed by other people who had children who were walking before they even turned 1. But one day they just get up and start walking and that's it! I have a friend who's child was nearly 2 when they started walking, no other issues, just a late walker.

My baby is seven months old and won’t even bear weight on her legs yet, so I think she’s going to be a very late walker.

This is really good to hear. I think as he’s my first and I really don’t know what to expect. I’m just terrified that I’m overlooking something. Googling around doesn’t help at all all. But you have, thanks 🙏

My son walked at 18 months just as I’d decided that he had some serious underlying condition. My daughter walked at 16 months which seemed early! They both walked well within a week, far shorter wobbly stage than early walkers.

Don't feel down! They still have time. My DS walked at 10 months. Now 16 months and is very confident but my nephew was a late Walker and is absolutely fine. You'll always compare and I could have another who could be a late Walker and I'd compare it's just natural but try not to worry. I certainly wouldn't make someone feel down about it. Don't worry he'll do it in his own time. At least he's walking with a Walker so he is getting there.

My first walked at 17 months but was always better at fine motor and verbal than other kids.

Second has walked at 10 months and is a bit late on speaking

So I'd say focus on strength areas, they may be subtle but chances are he's busy doing something else right now - maybe he'll be solving 1000 piece puzzles in a few months

Awww it's so easy to get really caught up in these 'milestones'! My friends baby has just gone 18 months and only just started walking, and my other friends baby was walking at 9 months but is much slower in her speech x different babies have different interests x

Depending on who you talk to, it's like a competition!
I wouldn't worry too much, it's very cliche but they really are so different and will do things in their own time.

Can I ask, is your little one saying much? A few words, lots of words? The reason for me asking is, my 18 month old is walking but not talking (1 or 2 words but mostly squeaks to indicate to me).
Different stages at different times.
I hope this helps a bit.

I didn't walk until 18 months and my DS didn't walk until 16 months. I think up to age 2 is "normal"

Both my children walked at 16 months, but even then it was very wobbly and short steps at first. Please don't worry.

Yes he’s saying lots of words. Absolutely loves books. Gets them out and says words from them.

Late walker (and late talker) here. Outruns every toddler on the park now.

My twins walked at 22 and 23 months. They were premature so they had a bit of a delay with milestones early on but H.V wouldn't refer until 18months as anything up to then was considered normal. My 2 were diagnosed with hypermobility and has physio but actually are now better walkers In terms of stamina than most of their friends.

I feel like every gross motor milestone has been about 4-5 months out and tbh it’s been a massive pain and frustrating for all of us.

He hadn't missed it at all, let alone by months. He is still very much in the normal age range for walking.

This is so reassuring people. You’ve all made me feel a lot better xx

My daughter walked at 17 months. As did my nephew. Friends 1st walked at 9 months, her 3rd at 19 months! They all get there in the end, it’s honestly not worth worrying about.

I think people are awful to make remarks like that. How early a child walks unaided is no indication of intelligence or character. One cousin's daughter was 18 months before she walked (so was cousin apparently); she grew up fine, went to university. When she was a baby and a toddler she was quite tubby and children who are lighter in weight (sometimes) tend to walk earlier. So what?

Honestly, jess, in a few months this will be history. Please don't let it get to you, people are just men and competitive about nothing. As long as your daughter is healthy, she'll be fine.

@jess2345

Yes he’s saying lots of words. Absolutely loves books. Gets them out and says words from them.

My daughter was like this. By 18 months she would parrot back.any word you said and started sentences lot earlier than her peers. Gross motor has always been a bit slower though and even now she's in school she's a slower runner etc but her reading is ace so swings and roundabouts!

Please don't worry :) your son is walking .. even if it is with a Walker. My daughter walked with a Walker and cruised on the sofa for what seemed like forever, she finally got the courage to let go and walk independently at 17 months. She's never crawled or used a Walker from that day. They all get their in their own time :D

Sounds as if he is ahead for speech. I would worry about the walking for another few months.

My DD isn't walking yet. She is 18 months old but she was 2 months early, so her adjusted age is 16 months. She'll get there eventually!

My DS was over 14 months when he finally walked in his own. He had cruised a fair bit, never really crawled.
DD was a really early Walker snd has great stamina in long walks but no words at all until 2 and a half.
They all develop at different times. My DB walked at 9 months but I was closer to 18 months cos I had him to get me stuff (point and grunt and he would run and get me stuff so my mum said)

My ex didn't walk until he was 3 and became a runner competing at a national level!

I didn't walk until 18 months. I really liked crawling! My DSIS walked 10 months apparently