16-month old can't stand alone or walk

[PfizerFan]

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...

Great news! She done it in her own time 🥰

That's great news she's walking now!! Urgh, why do referrals have to take so long? Did/does your little girl see a physio? Was that helpful? Ours sees a physio and apparently she's hypermobile... they haven't done any tests though...

We have been seeing the physio since around 19 months but I'm not sure how helpful it is. It's only every 2 months and the physio just observes her and tells us what to work on but a lot of it is fairly obvious. They have visited her at nursery a few times too. My DD has low muscle tone and possibly some hypermobility although she is not very bendy. Our physio also referred us to the paediatrician who ordered some blood tests (all were normal) and referred us to genetics for further testing. I don't think diagnosis will make much difference to her treatment but I am curious to know what has caused her delays and what the future might look like.

Let me know how she gets on. Xx

My DD is almost 16 months, and will only bum shuffle! Won't stand or even pull up. Came across your post and feel slightly reassured. We were told to give it til 18 months before contacting GP again but apparently they won't do anything until 22-24 months. I feel like I can't imagine her walking ever! It makes me so sad, feel like she's missing out 🥺

Wrote reply then saw updates. Glad she is still making progress.

I walked late but I am also a people watcher, and not inclined to rush around. I did walk eventually, but for many years my favourite thing was to sit and observe the other children at parties and things.

It might be that she's just a thinker.

My first didn’t walk till 17 months. He’s absolutely fine. Don’t worry.

My mum didn’t crawl or walk until 18 months. Doesn’t stop walking now.

Dont worry! (Easier said than done). Mine was nowhere near walking at 16 months. She's 21 months now and is walking about more but still wobbly and still reverts to crawling sometimes. The HV told me that up to 24 months is considered normal and they don't tend to do anything till then x

Not sure how I missed your reply! Sorry.

She will just refuse to put weight on her legs. If we attempt to get her to stand, she literally lifts her legs up and wants to go into a sitting position. I'm just always worried there's something underlying. But will try be patient!

I know this is an old thread but I'm in exactly the same position with my daughter (she was very late to crawl and can't stand independently or walk now at 16 months) and wondering what happened in the end? Did you have to get any extra help or did she eventually figure it out?

Hi. She began walking properly around 21 months. She has just started running now (27 months) but still cant jump or walk up stairs by herself. She's been in physio who said she has hypermobile joints, but has been discharged now. Let me know how everything goes! How old was your little one when she crawled?

I didn't learn to walk until I was 3.

It drove my parents frantic. I was in and out of hospital appointments, where doctors just shrugged and said there's nothing physically wrong, and I'll walk when I'm ready. I even attended a playgroup for children with additional needs where I had physical therapy.

I learnt eventually, and my parents were so relieved.

I've since discovered I have very shallow hip sockets with not a lot of supporting muscle. I simply wasn't strong enough to support my weight.

My cousins son was also very slow to walk. Around 2 I think. He was diagnosed with hypermobility in his hips. So like me, shallow joints and low muscle quantity. He's 10 now, and showing real promise as a goal keeper for a professional clubs training school.

I've also since gone on to be completely normal. And although I was always last in every single race I ever ran, I have a post-graduate degree. ;)

Ah that’s so great to hear about the walking and running! Go her! And thank you so much for your reply. She probably started crawling at 13 months or so - now she’s a champion crawler and climber but can’t stand for a second independently and is walking on her knees. The health visitor occasionally checks in but isn’t worried. I was a late walker too so have tried not to worry but I do wonder if physio or anything might help. I feel a bit sad for her at nursery and nct meetups when all her peers are running around!

Great to hear your little one is making such good progress! My daughter who walked at 2.5 years still can’t run, jump or climb stairs at 3y2m but she is making slow and steady progress.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I do wonder what the future holds for my daughter who walked at 2.5 years but I’m trying not to worry too much. I walked at the normal time but still came last in every running race and am generally a bit uncoordinated so do wonder if my DD inherited something from me.

Great she's making progress! Does the physio know why she walked late? With us it's hypermobility.

I really wouldn't worry too much - as long as she's making progress, she will get there in her own time. If she's still not walking by 18 months you could ask for a referral to physio, just for reassurance. My girl didnt even crawl until 14 months!

Ps I am also terrible at sport and was last in every race at school! Must be genetic..

My daughter has low muscle tone (hypotonia) and a bit of hypermobility. We don’t yet know the cause of her hypotonia but it can be linked to genetic conditions or sometimes no cause is found. We are currently waiting for the results of genetic testing.

@Armo24i know the feeling of yours not doing something when all of their peers are. It can be tough can’t it?

Walking isn’t an issue until they are 18 months. If they’re not walking by that age then its recommended that you see the GP to rule out things like hip problems.

The exception to that rule is if she’s not bearing weight on her legs. So if she can stand then she’s fine, if not you’ll need to see your GP

Totally normal once they are crawling and cruzing I wouldn’t worry, they do everything in their own time , mine only started crawling after her first birthday and HB wanted to refer her a week or two before hand I knew she would do it in her own time she k my now pulling herself up to stand not crying yet . They are all little individuals after all they won’t all do everything at the same age x

One of my brothers didn’t walk till he was 22 months and was absolutely fine, in fact quite a good cross country runner as an adult. He had a lot of us siblings to entertain him so maybe didn’t feel the need!

Thank you, that’s a really kind and reassuring message! Yes she can pull herself up to stand - just can’t let go yet. Hopefully that means I can wait until 18 months to see how she goes. Thanks all!

Have you tried Standing her up and putting something in each of her hands? For some reason, I think it helps them balance