Advice on Toddler Walking

Don't worry - it will happen. My son turns 16 months tomorrow and is also a slow developer in the walking department. He can do it, but his preferred method of transportation is crawling, especially at home. He seems to show off more when we are outside or at a party or something. I was really getting worried because all the kids in my family (I only have 1 of my own) have walked really early. The doctor said that he is still making progress and developing normally, and it sounds like your daughter is, too.

I've been told that sometimes children are working on developing other skills such as speech and fine motor skills, and they put walking on the backburner.

My oldest twin (who is actually my 3rd child) didn't walk until around 15 months. Her twin who's younger was walking at 10 months! SO it goes to show even babies born the same day from the same mom can be totally different! Amelia, the non-walker, came up with jumping around on her knees and was totally content to do that for like 3 months, finally at the end of 14 months she took her first steps and around the middle of 15 was walking more than crawling. Because she was my 3rd I just didn;t worry and your doctor will probably say the same thing, that there isn't anything to worry about until at the earliest 18 months. But it sounds like your daughter is not behind if she is trying to take steps and it sounds like you are making the effort to teach her. 15 months is certainly not "late" to walk, its not, no matter what you see at the park with other kids, isn't it the toughest NOT to compare our kids to everyone else's and worry ours are coming up short?
BUT only you know if there is a real problem, if you really feel like she should be walking it never hurts to talk to the DR. about it, she should have a well child check up at 15 months and discuss it there but you'll probably hear the same thing, that all kids are different and there really sin't a cause for concern until she is older or not trying at all.
K. H

This can be completely normal. I have 3 kids also. My first daughter walked right at 12 months, my 2nd daughter walked at about 15 months and my son waited until 17 months but he was climbing on things and walking with the help of toys, furniture, etc. For some reason they just walked later and later. I think it may happen because with our first we work so hard to get them walking and by the last they have older siblings to bring them toys and don't feel the need to get up and go as early. My son would often walk when it was just us at home but would not if anyone like grandma or grandpa would be over. I think it was somewhat of a shyness thing. The pediatrician told me at the time as long as they are developing normal otherwise they really don't get too concerned until after 18 months or so and that's if they are not walking at all.

It sounds like your daughter is developing normally. My youngest daughter did not start walking until she was 17 months. If your worried, talk to your peditrician.