I Need Some Advise-my 18 Month Old Is Not Walking

Don't worry, my daughter didn't start walking alone until around 18 months too. Then all she did was run. It will come. I am actually hearing more and more that the average age for walking is 15 - 16 months. He will eventually be sick of crawling, and get up and walk.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. He can stand and take a couple of steps, it sounds like he can walk pretty well just holding your hand, it seems like he's just taking the easy way out, and with older siblings that's easy to do. My youngest was the same way, I thought. My oldest started walking the week she turned 1 so I figured my son would too. He seemed obviously ready to walk but refused to do it until 15 months. I tried to force him to walk, I started making a really big deal about him taking a couple of steps, and sat down with a family member and had him walk in between us and each time he got to one of us we'd clap and give kisses and scream with excitement. I really don't think you have too much to worry about though. Good luck!

The first thing that struck in in your request was about the "normal age" for walking being 11-12 months. My pediatrician commented that when both of mine were walking in that time frame, that it was early. She said that with babies sleeping on their backs, the average age for many physical milestones have changed in recent years. She said walking around 12 months is like walking at 9 months used to be when we were babies. She said the norm for walking is more like 15-18 months now.

You said your son can take a couple steps but isn't choosing to walk - sounds like he feels he can be most efficient with movement when crawling. I personally think they progress to the next skill when they find it to be most convenient. At some point he'll be holding something or become confident enough that walking will be easier than crawling and he'll choose to do so then.

Use your instinct - if you feel like he's ok, then just watch and make sure he's continuing to develop physical skills. If you notice other things that concern you as well and feel uneasy, then talk to your pediatrician about taking steps to check into it.

Hi C.!
My son didn't walk until he was 20 months old. We had him in physical therapy once every two weeks for a couple of months prior to that. I'm not sure if that really helped or if he just naturally started walking when he was ready. My husband and I were definitely concerned and I can relate to how you're feeling. My son will be 3 years old in February and he's absolutely fine. He is still on a different learning curve physically than other children. He started jumping a couple months after the other kids in his daycare class...and so forth. The physical therapist told us that the reason for his walking late was because he had low muscle tone. This is something she said is often genetic. It's not a big deal and just requires you do regular exercises to strengthen the muscles, but it really is stressful seeing your child get behind.
Good luck!

If he can stand & take even just a couple of steps at a time, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. You said he's the youngest, I'm guessing his older siblings probably help him out a lot with reaching things, etc. Also, it's probably just a matter of it being much much quicker for him to crawl than be bothered walking when he knows he's just going to fall down & it'll take him much longer to get from A to B. Don't worry, eventually he'll want to be able to keep up with his brother & sisters enough to be bothered walking &/or running to do so!

C.,

As a rule, boys are lazy. Add to the fact that he is the youngest of four, he probably gets carried and picked up a lot, and does not have the need to walk. Everyone develops at different speeds. My daughter walked before she was one, but my son did not walk until after he was 14 months, and our ped said it was a normal variance. A tip. What really helped my daughter were those pain in the butt white walking shoes they sell for babies. The second we put those on her, she was up and walking around. I think because they supported her ankles so so could get the balance thing down better.

I would not be concerned yet. But if you are, by all means call your ped.

L.

Don't worry too much. My daughter walked later than most kids (15 months) and she is fine. He may just not feel like it. Or maybe he isn't ready yet. My doctor told me that they will go when they are ready. We thought my daughter would never get it but decided to not push anymore. One day she just stood up and took a few steps. After that, she was off and hasn't stopped since. I think he will get it when he wants. I wouldn't worry until he is more than 2 and not walking. Than maybe see the specialist.

T. :)

No reason to pannic. I would talk to your ped. If in the next few months you start to notice more things them I would start seeking help. Walking late isn't bad but if dev is late and speach is a problem I would start to seek help. I don't mean to worry you, he is still young.

My only advice is that if you have the option of using some service to help your child....use it. My son is 2 and not talking and I have been referred to an audiologist and speech therapist. I, too, am a FT college student and it is difficult to get away, but I owe it to my son to get him whatever help he may need.....it may turn out that he doesn't need any help and he is just being lazy, but early intervention is always the best. Do your best! And good luck with 4 kids and full-time student!!!! More power to ya!!!!

I think my youngest daughter walked at 18 months--or later. I remember worrying and my Mom telling me not to. My oldest had walked at 12 months, and I thought something was wrong with my youngest. Nope. She walks--runs, and hasn't stopped! LOL. I've learned that there are no age limits for anything to happen and you just can't compare.

My daughter didn't walk until after she was 18 months, although she could walk with her hand held and along the furniture. We were told that she had low muscle tone and were given some exercises for her. She's perfectly fine now. You might want to touch base with your pediatrician, but other than that, I wouldn't worry much. Good luck!

Please do not worry. All the children in my family (cousins, brother, sister) started walking at the age of 7-9 months, however, my daughter decides to be the odd ball (SMILE) and started walking at 20 months, and believe me I was worried too. She would crawl backwards, walk in her walker backwards and sometimes carry the walker while she was walking in it. Some kids just do things earlier than others. Good luck, keep me posted.

I wouldn't worry. He will get it eventually. Both my kids walked at 15 months. I was worried also thinking something might be wrong... I kept seeing all these other kids that were walking at much younger ages. I've learned that if you just let them progress on their own they will be just fine. It seems like he is more cautious and would prefer to be closer to the ground. I wouldn't push too much. Of course if you feel that something is not quite right with his other developments then you should definitely check with his pediatrician. Otherwise, I would just sit back and enjoy this time because as I'm sure you know... they grow so fast!
Good luck!
J.