Late walker - should I do anything?

[AnnMaria82]

Hi, I’m wondering whether to seek any advice about my baby not walking at 19 months. He crawls, bum shuffles, cruises and walks holding on to just one finger but just won’t take the leap to get going by himself. He says a lot of words and has good fine motor skills so it’s just that area where he is taking his time it seems. Tia!

If he is doing all of those things walking-wise it is just a matter of time until he gains that last little bit of confidence to take his first steps alone.

My DS was a bum shuffler - I think it was just about 19 months he started to walk but they are all different. If he's walking holding your finger then I'd say it'll be fine, he'll get there in his own time. Just that male thing of needing a rocket up their arse to do anything!

DS now is a keen sports player, runs. cycles, plays basketball but still needs a rocket up his arse! He's 17 now :)

It sounds like he's well on the way and he'll probably start walking independently soon.
Given that I'd wait another couple of months before seeking any additional help

I feel your frustration at them not taking the leap. DS was cruising for 10 months before he finally took an independent step. He also crawled early and then at about 15 months stared bum shuffling which seemed a huge jump backwards.

He did however finally master walking at about 18 and 1/2 months and it was as so many had predicted he was super confident and pretty much running within the space of a few days.

As frustrating as it is there is sadly nothing you can do but wait for them to decided to do it. I want to be supportive and say he sounds like he is almost there but equally I know how many times you've probably heard similar comments.

Bum shufflers often walk a bit later was they are already vertical and can easily see around and use both hands to hold stuff while moving so have less motivation to walk, unlike a crawler who is horizontal and using their hands. I wouldn’t worry just yet.

They guidance is to seek medical advice if they are not walking by 18months. He’ll probably start walking the day after you make an appointment but contact your GP or health visitor for advice.

If he's holding onto your finger and walking he's doing fine, just needs to build his confidence up to go for it on his own.
Continue what your doing op
I found to encourage my LO to walk is one of us hold his hand, the other infront of him with his fave toy, walk with him to toy the and gradually start leaving go of his hand.

My two walked at 20 months (crawler) and 23 months (bum shuffler). Encourage, don't lose heart, try not to get upset when people suggest there is any more you could be doing. They will get there

@ARealHoliday

They guidance is to seek medical advice if they are not walking by 18months. He’ll probably start walking the day after you make an appointment but contact your GP or health visitor for advice.

In reality and my experience they won't even consider seeing your child if they are not walking but are cruising, weight bearing or able to stand with support.

My DS walked at 15 months but he took ages to get from walking with support to walking alone. What did the trick was food - he’s obsessed with food, so I gave him an ice cream for each hand and asked him to follow me across the room to get sprinkles. He had no choice but to walk unaided and he never crawled again . Your DS can clearly do it, he just needs confidence or distraction to make him forget that he needs to hold on to someone.

I'd recommend looking at the Mama OT website - she's got some good tips and tricks to get them walking and meeting other physical milestones.

As PP said I'd also make the appointment for someone to check him out - agreed it'll probably be after he starts walking that you actually get the appointment but it's help you're entitled to. Unlike the other PP I think they'll take it seriously as he's over 18m now.

@ARealHoliday

They guidance is to seek medical advice if they are not walking by 18months. He’ll probably start walking the day after you make an appointment but contact your GP or health visitor for advice.

I agree with this. These are the guidelines so I would be contacting your GP and asking them to get the referrals ball rolling now.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I liked the needing a rocket up their arse explanation 😆. I think he will do it soon too but have called the GP to get the ball rolling in case it’s needed. I will also take a look at the Mama OT website for tips. Maybe the right treat will do the trick!

@AnnMaria82

Thanks for the replies everyone, I liked the needing a rocket up their arse explanation 😆. I think he will do it soon too but have called the GP to get the ball rolling in case it’s needed. I will also take a look at the Mama OT website for tips. Maybe the right treat will do the trick!

Hopefully you get some support from GP but equally don't be surprised if they just say watch and wait. This is the advice we were given and they wouldn't even see him in person as nothing suggested he wouldn't eventually walk. They said they would only refer for more investigation if he'd shown no signs of bearing weight or attempting to walk.

Fingers crossed he soon starts to figure it out and a tasty treat tempts him to eventually let go.

@AnnMaria82

Hi, I’m wondering whether to seek any advice about my baby not walking at 19 months. He crawls, bum shuffles, cruises and walks holding on to just one finger but just won’t take the leap to get going by himself. He says a lot of words and has good fine motor skills so it’s just that area where he is taking his time it seems. Tia!

I would say yes, if not walking by 18 months then definitely let the hv know just to be on the safe side.

Update, he just started waking this afternoon, think he heard me on the phone to the GP!

@AnnMaria82

Update, he just started waking this afternoon, think he heard me on the phone to the GP!

That's great news. Enjoy the new found freedom of not having every man, women and dog asking you if he is walking yet.

Both my girls didn't walk until they were about 18 months old. They cruised around the furniture and bum shuffled but preferred to be carried! Literally overnight they both started walking.

Just seen your update. There will be no stopping him now!

Awr well done!

No don't worry he's fine. DS didn't walk until 17 months and now running about at 18 months. As long as he's mobile in some way disregard until 24 months. He'll get there in his own time.

Mine was 17 months - I was told 18 months is the cut off. Many children learn to walk perfectly fine after this of course, but 18 months is the point you should have a chat with a health visitor.

Oh sorry, should have read the thread!! Wonderful update. Funnily enough mine started walking the day I called the health visitor 😂

My son was 19 months when he finally stood up and started to learn to walk. I was so worried. But honestly I spend so much time chasing him now (he's three), that I hardly believe I was ever worried. I know it's cliched but enjoy the precious little time you have where you can be sure he's not getting into trouble!

Haha just saw your update! 😆