My 16 Month Old Is Not Walking, Need Advice

My daughter never crawled and did the scooting thing you are talking about. She did finally learn to walk at 16 mo. My son was a great crawler but didn't learn to walk until 18 mo. I wouldn't entirely worry yet although I admit I was worried about my kids too.

B., my first child did not crawl until she was about 14 months and did not walk until 16-17 months. My second child, he was crawling at 10 months and walking at 12. I think when they have another little one to "look up to" they get more of an idea on how to do things, and want to try to do them sooner. This is just my experience. I would not worry too much at this point, every baby developes at his/her own pace and like you said if he is content with his way of transportation that he has at the moment, then why would he bother trying a new way!?! Maybe try to get on the floor with him and 'teach' him how to pull himself up, hold his hands and have him walk, etc. Don't get too worried!! Things WILL work out and he will walk--trust me.

Hi B.,

We can totally relate. Our daughter is 18 months now and is also a scooter. She never liked being on her tummy as a baby and also never crawled (even now). She's never wanted to bear weight on her legs either. At 12 months our pediatrician referred us to a pediatric neurologist who diagnosed her with "hypotonia". (Low muscle tone). We have been getting physical therapy through early intervention. (Every school district provides these services for ages 0-3). We are still seeing little progress, so in Sept we are taking her to Gillette Children's to see a Pediatric Developmentalist. I'm VERY anxious to see what he says & sees. She is also a very happy/social little girl...at 12 months I wasn't so worried about the not walking/crawling...but now when she's around other children her age it's more obvious. It gets pretty old when everyone keeps asking, "If she walking YET?" You can email me if you'd like to or if you have more questions!

We have a 20 month old who, until 2 months ago, we nick-named "Scoots McGee." He was a fabulous scooter and I really thought he would never walk. But sure enough, right before he hit 18 months he started to walk. He did a little walking and scooting for awhile, but now he is totally bipedal. He also is a very good talker. I think that babies need to concentrate on either gross motor skills or fine ones. So I wouldn't worry about your son not walking yet, he will when he's ready. Unfortunately scooting is such a proficient way to get around, he just might take a bit longer to get there. Good luck!

I am a pediatric PT. Hopefully you are able to do Pediatric PT through the Birth to Three program, but unfortunately that can take time to get things going; do not let whoever does the initial screening say "Let's wait and see". Yes, your child will likely "figure it out" eventually, and yes, every child develops differently, but he should at least have an interest (actually a very strong one!) in standing by now. I literally just read the flyer that our women/infants department sends out every month or so after you have a baby (my youngest is 11 1/2 months, and yes, even though I am a pediatric PT, I still read them for "refreshers" on all areas of development, what to expect next, etc)--anyway, there was a section in there that around 12 months the desire to stand and bounce is sometimes so strong that baby has trouble settling down to sleep. I'm certainly not implying that there is something "wrong" with your child; he just may be a little "boost" and pediatric PT may be just what he needs. It should be a kid-friendly "play-based" approach, and the therapist should demonstrate to you HOW to help him with a variety of strategies to get him going. One quick suggestion to try--you sit on the floor facing the couch (about a foot or 2 away) with him on your lap also facing the couch--make your legs such that they are like a little bench (so that he's not sitting too low with knees in his belly, and not too high either)--then put his favorite toy, blanket, cup, etc up on the couch and encourage him to stand up and "lean" to the couch to get the toy. Make it fun and praise him like crazy when he dose it. Hope that helps. I know from experience on this website that you will get a lot of "don't worry, he's fine" and he probably is, BUT, early intervention is the key; and again, there may not be something "Wrong", just the need for a little boost, a little encouragement to promote his development. If you have other questions, feel free to send me a personal message

Hi B.-

My son has gone through a similar progression of his milestones. He did not like tummy time and used butt scooting as his main form of mobility. He is a little further behind (now at 22 months) and is receiving early intervention and I can share some of the ideas the PT has had for us to help him. First, it is more difficult to pull to stand from sitting rather than a crawl position. So you can work with him in kneeling hanging onto the couch if he will tolerate it and then progress to putting one leg up so he will learn how to pull himself up. You will have to help him with this and with his balance at first. Have something he likes on the couch so he is motivated to reach for it. Another idea is to see if he will sit "side sit" with both knees to one side and feet to the other. He can play in this position if he tolerates it. That is the position he needs to be in to transition to hands and knees or to kneeling to be able to stand. Always remember to make it fun for him. ( and for you - don't be stressed about it, just see what he will do) Just some things that might be helpful to try while you are waiting to get into PT. I agree with the other Moms, he is still in the normal range. But going to see a PT will give you some things to work on.

i care for a little girl that 14 months hardly crawled. Her mother said they were going to do physical therapy but after seeing such an improvement after she was in my care they didn't do it. She started walking at 16 months and now at 17 months she does pretty well all by herself. i just made sure to encourage her to walk. i stood her up and helped her walk to the high chair or the changing table. all it took was a few times of me helping her and she started to realize how fun it was. Your son has found a way to get around and he likes it so it will be hard for him to see y he should walk when scooting is easier. You can do physical therapy if you want or you could try to get him to walk on your own. kids have such a wide range of when they pick up certain skills. my son walked well at 10 months but the little girl i watch was 17 months. my mom said my oldest sister didn't walk until she was near 2. If you as his mother feel there is cause for concern then take action but some children just "go" later then others. good luck

HI B.!
My first daughter was a butt scooter, and not until around 14 months. Because of the lack of crawling, she didn't develop her hand muscles like other kids do and had trouble with gross motor AND fine motor skills. We called our school district and had her evaluted through their Early Intervention Program. They are very quick and thorough. They are also FREE (funded through tax dollars). The very BEST part about it is that they come to YOU. My daughter was enrolled in physical therapy and hated it. I had to re-adjust our schedule to go to the place, then we had to do what they wanted on their time, and it just didn't jive with my DD's personality. With the EIR program, they came to us at times convenient for us. My DD felt more comfortable with them in the safety of our own home, with our own toys. Anyways, it is certainly something you want to have help with, but don't get overly worried about it either. Get the help you need now. My DD is now 3 1/2 and is completely 'average' - we graduated from the program. but i will also say that she still has trouble pulling up her own undies and pants sometimes(that's fine motor skills giving her some troubles still). They were great; they showed me ways to play with her and work with her to get her to play more on her knees so that it would be easier for her to pull herself up to standing, etc. Call them, you won't regret it! :-)

We have friends whose son "ooched" (a word borrowed, I believe, from Richard Scarry and Lowly) for a long time. He got around on his bottom quite nicely and didn't bother to walk. He's fine now. I think 16 months is the upper end of it being "ok" for your child not to walk, but that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with your child--it simply means most children have walked by then, and your child is not most children. :) Take it easy, encourage walking, and see the physical therapist. My thought is that moms often have a gut feeling. Do you think there's something wrong, or is he just taking his good natured time because he's laid back and easygoing? Don't ignore the doctor, but trust your gut, too.

your son sounds like he's still in the range of "normal."

i had my 2 nieces, one was 14 months, the other 15 months, in my wedding as the flower girls. neither could walk at that point, one was a crawler and one was a scooter. so we pulled them down the aisle in a Radio Flyer red wagon. while we were surprised that they weren't walking, no one was concerned.

give him time, he sounds like he's so proficient with scooting that he may not have the motivation to walk yet.

Don't let it stress you out. He will walk when he's ready. It sounds like he's a typical boy. When he's older you'll ask him questions and, I bet, you'll get one word answers. "How was your field trip today?" -- "Fine."
My 2 year-old daughter didn't walk until she was almost 18 months old. She was just content to let mommy and grandma carry her everywhere. Now she's so independent, I'm not even allowed to hold her hand when going down the stairs. They'll do things when they're ready, and a not a minute before...

My son didn't walk until almost 18 months (with a lot of practice at day care) so 16 months isn't out of the ordinary, but he was crawling on all fours and pulling himself up before that. Just didn't seem to want to walk. Maybe put toys and snacks slightly higher so he has to pull himself up to get it, and show him how to do it (over and over and over)? Do get down on the ground with him and crawl around too?

Hi B.

I'm from Brazil, my English not good, but I will try say for you, my daughter made exactly same your boy,(scoot on his butt,never crawled) She start walking with 17 months, after I talking pediatrican and he told me to put my daughter in a day care, I made this and she walking after 2 weeks at day care. I'm momy a 04 and half wonderful girl.
R.

In addition to private PT call your school district - early childhood program or special education for a referral. If you are in MN, they may do a home visit for evaluation (each state does the birth to three age group a little differently but is required to provide services in some way) or might have you go to a school site. I'm sure they are just getting into gear with school starting next week and things may move a little more quickly than outpatient PT (which you can also do in conjunction). The school may also send an early childhood teacher to assess overall developmental skills. What district are you in? Call the special education director to get started - I know sometimes it seems strange to be calling this department if you don't have any other developmental concerns but this is the best place to start and how you will get connected to a school based PT. From there they will determine if he "qualifies" for continued services based on his needs. Good luck!! (FYI I'm a speech pathologist - working with adults now but did an early childhood internship in Eden Prairie - it was a few years ago so some processes may have changed but it's amazing how many people ask me about how to get services for their kids and aren't aware that the schools provide them even kids are school age yet).

Hi B.,

I'm really interested in this type of thing, and I think almost all kids can benefit from a developmental movement program like the one offered by Cat Burns in Minneapolis: http://www.mamabebe.org/. I've heard her speak a couple of times, and she does simple movements (and teaches you how to do them with your child as well) that trigger the brain in different ways and encourage optimal brain development which leads to optimal physical/movement development. It's so cool! Very reasonably priced too.

A.

Hi B.,

I agree with Michelle K. Go with your gut. Get it checked out. You are being a great mom. Can't hurt to get a little boost. Early intervention is best. He may just need a little help. I was there. Ask the PT to show you HOW. Do the exercises she/he shows you. The more info you have the better you will be. Smiles, J.

My eldest daughter walked at 13 months, 2nd daughter at 17 months, my son at 11 months.
He is doing everything normal. Try not to get too worried. He is NORMAL:)