First Steps

I had the same question when my son was 14 months and still not walking. His doctor said that it wasn't abnormal, though most kids do learn before then. If all/most of his other milestones are on target, it isn't a problem. It could be he's above his age level for talking, or is very musically-inclined, or something like that that's taking all of his attention at the moment, or he can get around so fast by crawling that he doesn't need to walk...or he's being carried/held too much around the house. My son was 16 1/2 months old before he even started trying to walk, and a full 17 months old before he was walking well. I've heard of a couple kids who didn't start walking until they were 18 months old, without any "problems" being the cause. As long as you don't see any problems in any other areas of his development, I wouldn't worry about it.

My son walked at 16 months and he's doing just fine at 3and1/2 now. As long as he's showing signs that he's getting ready to walk (pulling himself up, cruising, etc.) I wouldn't worry yet. My daughter is 14 months and is not walking yet either.

Hi J.,

I have two kids, now 8 and almost 11. My son (almost 11) started crawling right after his first birthday ! and walking at about 15 months. My daughter (now 8) never crawled, just scooted on her bottom, and started walking at 19 months. They both walk great, now :-) There seems to be a huge variation in walking ages for kids.

-J.

Hi J.,

My son didn't start walking til 13 mos. I was worried then, but if your son is cruising and stands up with help-- he's probably just fine. Good luck to you-- and remember all babies are different--don't listen to all the books- talk with your pediatrician if your really concerned.

Molly

None of my four children walked before they were 14 monthes, though my 10 year could stand in his crib at 8 monthes and his younger sister (5 year old) was climbing out of her crib at 9 monthes. All the previous advice is sound. I know it is hard being patient especially if your child weighs over 20 lbs as my first (21 year old)and you have to carry them around.

What IS your son doing? Can he stand up? Does he hold on to objects as he uses them to keep his balance while he walks (cruises)? Does he walk if you are holding on to his hands? If he's doing any of this stuff, my gut feeling is that he's just fine (barring other circumstances such as being a premature baby, etc.). My son didn't walk until he was 14 months old. It was torture watching other people's younger babies walk all over the place while my son could only crawl! I worried something was wrong with him. He was fine, though. He was crawling, pulling himself up, and eventually cruising, but it took him what seemed like forever to actually walk.

The reason he started walking was because he was bribed! He LOVES to eat. His grandmother would hold up a banana and sit three steps away from him. He'd cry and cry because he wanted that banana so badly! She wouldn't let him have any if he crawled to her. He started running those three steps and eventually refined it to walking :-)

If you are really worried, check with your pediatrician.

My first son didnt walk until 16 months, but was cruising at this age. My second son wanted to be just like big brother, so he started a little sooner, about 12 months. Boys arent usually as in as much of a hurry as girls to talk, walk potty train and such. Of course, as soon as they start to move WATCH OUT!! YOu will need to baby proof everything! We always joked that we would rent out our boys to new parents to test the "baby-proof-ability" of their homes. Boys will be boys. Relish in the fact he isnt getting into things, yet! Take care and have a great day!

My oldest daughterdi dn't walk until she was 15 months, so DON'T worry. She is now 4 years old and is the fastest, most athletic girl (or boy for that matter) around. It just takes time. Children do things when THEY are ready, not when the parents are:-) Good luck and don't worry!

well your doctor can tell you best what is normal but from my experience most kids walk somewhere between 7 months (the over achievers as i call them) and 15 months. I think a lot depends on if they are wanting to get around faster or around other kids already walking and they want to keep up with them. not sure if your son is an only child but try to invite other kids over for play dates that are already walking. i was interviewing a day care and my son walked starting at 10 months and the little girl 15 months barely pulled herself up on things.

i personally walked around the house with my son and called it "walka walka walka" and we practiced every day. He thought it was also fun momy time too and he decided he could get somewhere faster if he walked.

My daughter didn't take her 1st steps until 2 weeks after her 1st birthday and then she started fully walking all the time about 3 weeks later. A lot of my friend's have kids the same age and they walked by 11-12 months. What seemed to help my daughter is a push car. We would take her outside on the sidewalk and she push the cart and walk 2-3 house lengths and back and she loved it and it helped build up her leg strength and balance. Walking early or late is not correlated with intelligence. Most kids that I have seen that walk early have much weaker verbal skills. My daughter walked a little late, but has a very good vocabulary. I think just jeep practicing and one day he will just take off on his own.
Good Luck

J.,
My son started to walk about that age, he also had a problem with his large and small motor skills. Nothing major, just takes him a little longer. He is fine now, and is 13.5.
W.

Dear J., What is normal? No one knows. Every child is different. Every child progresses differently. My daughter walked at 9 months and my son not until he was 13.5 months. Was he abnormal? I don't think so. He's very bright, owns his own company, and is very happy. So, hang in there. Let him hold himself up on the furniture and walk holding onto the furniture or your hands. But, don't push him, he'll walk when he's ready.
Good Luck and Relax, C. F

Hi Jamie,
I have 2 sons who are now 10 and 8. My youngest Ethan didn't walk until he was 17 months old. I remember being concerned about it back then, but he was just taking his time. So I really think that yes it is normal for your son at 14 months old not to walk.. I hope that helps some.

Take care,
C.

My son turn 14 moths and just started walking now. I was very worried but my pediatrician said that babies can walk between 9 moths and 18 moths. If your son sits well and try to get around his way he just need a little more time to walk.Talk to your pediatrician if you are really worried changes are that he is just a late walker like my son.
Best regards,
Nicole

I think that is very normal. Both of my kids walked at 14 and 15 months. I wouldn't worry too much!

All four of my boys waited until 15-16 months to take steps. Its difficult when you see other children younger than they are walking circles around them, but he'll get it.
Don't worry. That's the biggest thing. Before you know it he'll be running around the house and you'll miss the "cruising" days.

Be blessed.

J.,

My first son didn't start walking until he was 15 months. If all other markers are on track, then I wouldn't worry. If he is a good crawler, then he'll be a late walker. Everyone (family, friends, strangers) all wanted to know if my son was walking and I would respond no, and I am in no hurry for him to start. Enjoy your son at this stage, because once he's walking, everything will change again and in a few years you'll miss the days when he could "only crawl".

my son started walking at 16 months. you've got 4 more months before you need to start worrying

Hi J. - Love your name, by the way! My 3 kids walked really late - 18 months, 17-1/2 months & 17 months respectfully. Fortunately, we lived in a duplex, at the time & next door was a Navy Doc & his wife & little girl. He examined my kids, as they came along; said he could find NOTHING wronbg & suggested I take to my Pediatrician (then my GP) who had them X-rayed, aftyer examining them too - allayed my worries! So, take your little one in for an examination & X-ray. Probably nothing, but if a problem does exist, the sooner you're aware, the better! Good luck! A. U.

You've gotten some good advise already! My only addition would be to slow down and enjoy his current stage. Pretty soon, he'll be walking, and you're going to miss the time he was crawling! Remember that they become more independent when they start walking and won't want to be held and cuddled as much as you'd like him to :) I REALLY took to heart to take full enjoyment in each one of my son's stages, and it really helped to not worry about what everyone else's babies were doing :) He started walking at 13 months, and I actually wish he would've waited a little while longer. Although, now that he's 18 mo, it looks weird to see him crawl!! haha ENJOY your son :)

Hi!

I know exactly what you're concerns are. I teach Gymboree and see alot of early walkers. My two kids didn't walk until 14 months and 18 months so I thought they were "behind" compared to the kids in my classes. When I asked my pediatrician, he said 14 months was average and that boys sometimes walk a little later (my son was the 18 mos. walker). He also said that walking may follow family patterns - so, for example, I walked closer to 18 months. He also said pediatricians generally don't worry about it at all unless they're not walking by about 18 or 19 months (assuming everything else in the health history is normal).

I hope this helps to put some concerns to rest.

J. F.

Hello,
My daughter is almost 16 mos. and still not walking. Her doctor told us as long as she is making progress (crawling, pulling up, cruising)not to worry. She did also say that some babies don't walk until 18 mos and if not by then, maybe something is wrong. I'd say your little guy is fine. My first daughter walked at 12 mos. They are all different.

J.,

My son turned one Jan. 15th and cruised the furniture for along time before letting go. He finally decided to go for it in March, which subsequently was right around Easter so he had just turned 14 months. As long as he is showing some signs i.e. cruising furniture, pushing toys around (trucks etc.)it is all normal. Their really is no set age at which a child should be walking by. Although the doctors might be concerned if by age 18 months or so he still isn't walking.
Is he carried alot? If so keep him down as much as possible and hold his hands and encourage him to walk as much as possible.
My older girls carried him around as often as they could get their hands on him and this slowed him down a bit.
I wouldn't worry too much, unless like I said he is closer to 18 months or more and not showing any other signs of disinterest or pain when he stands on his legs.

Hope this helps Trish

Yes, this is normal. I have 3 children and they walked at 14, 16 and 18 months!!! Its not only about the physical skills but their temperment. My guy that walked at 18 months didn't walk until late because he was happy crawling everywhere.

My niece was 17 months when she started walking. My sister thought that maybe something was wrong with her, but when they went to the doctor and checked her out she was fine. Some babies just take longer than others. Unless your little one is showing definite signs of abnormailities I wouldn't worry about it. Every child has a time frame of there own - including my child who didn't get her first tooth until she was 16 1/2 months old : )
Hang in there!

My daughter was 14 or 15 months when she first started walking. I think it is just up to them to be ready to take that first step. When it does happen you wont even remember how old he was when he took his first step. I would not worry about it for now.

Completely normal - UNLESS he isn't crawling, able to stand up, etc. - trust me, let him crawl for as long as possible - they only get faster once they're up on 2 feet!!

Plus, I've read that the longer they crawl, the more they develop hand/eye coordination for future things like basketball, baseball, etc. - so it's actually healthy for a child to crawl before walking, whether it's 1 month of 5 mths. My son crawled for nearly 5 mths before walking. Enjoy this time with him, play with him & KNOW that the rest of his life he'll be RUNNING. :)

My son and his best friend were both 15 months old before they started walking. Hope that makes you feel better.

My daughter didn't start walking until just recently which put her at 17 months! I would worry like crazy because her sister started walking right after her first birthday! So, I wouldn't worry just yet..he'll start walking when he feels good and ready! good luck!!!

Hi! I'm in the same boat as you. My son is just shy of 15 months and is still not walking either. He crawls like a mad man, cruises, takes a few steps before going down to crawl...etc...but no walking yet. I do hear it's pretty normal but it's killing me!!! I want him to walk!!!
Hope it happens for both of us sooooon!!!
N.

Talk to his pediatrician about development. To make sure there aren't any underlying causes.

I have a mom friend and her daughter started walking when she was 16 months. I'd say have him thoroughly examined by a medical professional and if nothing seems wrong, then it is just a matter of time. Hope this helps.

There are "ranges" of normal behavior because each child has their own schedule. My first didn't walk until 14 months- partly because she was always being held and didn't need to. My second was walking on his first birthday- chasing after his big sister. Provide activities that require your son to work his legs and allow him to hang on to your hands and step around. Once he sees how happy you are to see him up, he will want to continue. Just relax and enjoy the time...pretty soon you will be wondering why you were ever worried! Good luck!