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Original poster

16-month old can't stand alone or walk

80 replies

PfizerFan · 14/10/2024 13:23

At what point do I panic?

Can crawl, pull to stand and cruise well. But can't stand without holding on and if I hold her hands she tries to walk but is v wobbly on her feet. Can walk (awkwardly!) while holding onto her walker.

Normal at this age? Or..not? Last one in the NCT group to walk (also last to crawl etc!). And panic is once again beginning to set in...

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Original poster
PfizerFan · 16/10/2024 19:42

wishIwasonholiday10 · 16/10/2024 10:04

We are still not sure so I’m still in the worrying stage myself. We were referred to paediatrics at around 2 years but are still waiting for the appointment 3 months later.

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Fingers crossed you get that appointment soon and all ok!

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Elisabeth3468 · 17/10/2024 21:30

Very normal! My son was 16/17 months before walking and took another few months to become properly stable on his feet. Hes nearly 3 now and can run, jump, climb and wouldn't know he was a late walker.

TheAmusedSwan · 17/10/2024 21:38

Hi, my LO has just turned 16 months and he isn’t walking or able to stand on his own. He’s also late with his gross motor skills - started crawling at 12 months and pulling up to stand around 13 months. He’s currently cruising and can walk with the baby walker. So we’re also waiting but also scared cos it will mean we will need eyes at the back of our head lol 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 10:19

19 months now and although she's made progress, still no independent steps :( physio said she is "very bendy" but otherwise doesn't seem concerned..but i am! Should I push for a paeds appointment or will they just send me back to physio?

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Puppupandaway · 08/01/2025 11:10

Sorry you're still not further with this. Does your dd try to walk and fails, or does she just not seem interested in standing and walking?

MammaKel · 08/01/2025 11:21

They'll just send you back to physiotherapy. I wouldn't worry too much just yet as like mentioned my daughter was 21 months old when she started walking (although we're having issues).

They may investigate more if she gets to 2 and doesn't walk x

skkyelark · 08/01/2025 12:18

If they've said she's 'very bendy', did they give you any exercises/games to do to encourage her to strengthen the right muscles to make her stable enough to walk? I think sometimes wearing ankle boots is also suggested if their ankles are very bendy – did they suggest anything like that?

Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 12:24

Yes, we've got some exercises to try and strengthen her muscles and have got her some ankle books. There was no progress for ages but in the last couple of weeks she's been obsessed with walking around holding one of our fingers which she couldnt do before without falling (but will absolutely not let go) and can now stand unassisted for about 20 seconds. So at least she's now showing interest in trying to walk when before all she wanted to do was crawl!

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skkyelark · 08/01/2025 12:29

Oh, that sounds like she's well on her way, how exciting! It's a back-breaking stage, though, when all they want to do is walk holding your fingers!

I think given the recent progress, I'd be inclined to keep up the exercises, boots, and walking-with-a-finger for a few more weeks and then review. The balance for walking is really quite tricky, even without wobbly joints making it harder.

Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 12:31

skkyelark · 08/01/2025 12:29

Oh, that sounds like she's well on her way, how exciting! It's a back-breaking stage, though, when all they want to do is walk holding your fingers!

I think given the recent progress, I'd be inclined to keep up the exercises, boots, and walking-with-a-finger for a few more weeks and then review. The balance for walking is really quite tricky, even without wobbly joints making it harder.

Oh God yes my back is killing me!! 😂

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mitogoshigg · 08/01/2025 12:38

It's sounds like she's nearly there. She's definitely on the late end of normal but some are, I've known kids not start walking unaided until just 2 but have no underlying disability (now adults).

Just keep a broader eye on progress but she's doing better than October

Puppupandaway · 08/01/2025 12:51

Oh OP sounds like she's on the cusp of walking unaided. Exciting times for you!

Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 13:30

Fingers crossed....

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Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 13:38

I just hope she doesn't spend five months walking by holding onto my finger...my poor nerves (and back!)

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RossGellersCat · 08/01/2025 14:43

Another one here whose DS didn't walk until 18 months (literally decided to take his first steps a day before his appointment with the child development team due to not walking at 18 months) 😅

LegoHouse274 · 08/01/2025 15:35

'Bendy' - joint hypermobility? This was part of the reason my DC2's walking was delayed. He walked at 21 months. He's over 3 now and although still under orthotics, now just has special insoles to wear in normal shoes instead of the proper orthotic boots provided. He's doing great, but it is still really obvious the difference in his gross motor skills compared to other children his age. He still is far behind with regards to stairs for example, tires easily with walking so can't do the distances one would expect at this age and he also has much poorer coordination so falls and hurts himself super often (but has become super resilient to this and generally just gets straight back up again and gets on with things!).

Original poster
PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 16:41

LegoHouse274 · 08/01/2025 15:35

'Bendy' - joint hypermobility? This was part of the reason my DC2's walking was delayed. He walked at 21 months. He's over 3 now and although still under orthotics, now just has special insoles to wear in normal shoes instead of the proper orthotic boots provided. He's doing great, but it is still really obvious the difference in his gross motor skills compared to other children his age. He still is far behind with regards to stairs for example, tires easily with walking so can't do the distances one would expect at this age and he also has much poorer coordination so falls and hurts himself super often (but has become super resilient to this and generally just gets straight back up again and gets on with things!).

Yes she mentioned joint hypermobility, although she said DD was too young to acually be diagnosed with that? She can bend her knees the wrong way and do the splits!
Glad your son is doing great! How did he get diagnosed- physio?

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LegoHouse274 · 08/01/2025 17:44

PfizerFan · 08/01/2025 16:41

Yes she mentioned joint hypermobility, although she said DD was too young to acually be diagnosed with that? She can bend her knees the wrong way and do the splits!
Glad your son is doing great! How did he get diagnosed- physio?

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Yes, by a physio. He does also have an unusual issue with his hips too though, so it's been the combination that affects his gross motor skills.

Joint hypermobility isn't really a diagnosis as such, it's just a description - you can have hypermobility in 1 joint for example or in many. It's very common in young children and usually improves as they age as the surrounding muscles get stronger etc. DS's are getting less and less wobbly as time goes on and I'm sure will continue to become less and less mobile. It's likely you will find the same with your DD, particularly once she is starting to walk independently and her muscles gradually strengthen.

amiold · 08/01/2025 17:46

I've a friend who's daughter didn't walk til she was nearly 2! She could talk but wouldn't walk. They were getting married and kept saying she'll have to be carried down the aisle.. and weeks before she just got up and walked. They're all different.

My son has only just started and he's 14 month.. I was starting to panic as the HV visitor asked me if he was walking at 11 months 😮

Original poster
PfizerFan · 09/01/2025 08:14

LegoHouse274 · 08/01/2025 17:44

Yes, by a physio. He does also have an unusual issue with his hips too though, so it's been the combination that affects his gross motor skills.

Joint hypermobility isn't really a diagnosis as such, it's just a description - you can have hypermobility in 1 joint for example or in many. It's very common in young children and usually improves as they age as the surrounding muscles get stronger etc. DS's are getting less and less wobbly as time goes on and I'm sure will continue to become less and less mobile. It's likely you will find the same with your DD, particularly once she is starting to walk independently and her muscles gradually strengthen.

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Thanks, that's what the physio said. I guess I'm just concerned there's something else wrong and am wondering if she needs eg blood tests...

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Original poster
PfizerFan · 09/01/2025 08:14

amiold · 08/01/2025 17:46

I've a friend who's daughter didn't walk til she was nearly 2! She could talk but wouldn't walk. They were getting married and kept saying she'll have to be carried down the aisle.. and weeks before she just got up and walked. They're all different.

My son has only just started and he's 14 month.. I was starting to panic as the HV visitor asked me if he was walking at 11 months 😮

If my HV asked that at 11 months I'd have cried...she couldn't even crawl then!

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amiold · 09/01/2025 08:46

PfizerFan · 09/01/2025 08:14

If my HV asked that at 11 months I'd have cried...she couldn't even crawl then!

Edited
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Mine only started crawling at 11 month too. There’s so pressure it’s ridiculous.

Original poster
PfizerFan · 09/01/2025 18:28

Omg! Just picked her up from nursery and they said she took a few steps today! I won't believe it till I see it but fingers crossed.....

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Original poster
PfizerFan · 02/03/2025 14:34

20 (almost 21 months) now and can just about walk across a room! V wobbly though. Slowly getting there i hope...

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wishIwasonholiday10 · 02/03/2025 15:27

That’s great news @PfizerFan 👏

I’m one of the earlier posters on this thread and my DD is making progress too. She took some steps at 28 months and got confident enough to walk without encouragement at 30 months. We are still waiting for the results from the first round of genetic testing and got yet another referral, this time to neurology.