My 20 Month Old STILL 'Knee Walks'

If you are worried that there is a physical reason for this behavior, then have teh Xrays and other tests done. Or get a second opinion. Otherwise, if you feel there is no physical reason, leave her alone. The more you push it the more she will walk on her knees. If you give her some space and act like it's no big deal she will probably be walking before you know it.

Also if there is anything she likes to do (go to the store, park etc) you could try and give her an incentive by saying that you can't go until she can walk like a big girl.

Good luck!

Hi A.,
My 2nd was a knee walker too. I think this phenomenon is rare as I have only seen one other child do this since. My daughter is now 22! We did ask her pediatrician about this and she said not to worry. Our daughter was fine in development. As best we could tell, she had somehow found that her balance was much better on the knees and she was still upright to see and get most anything. We never fussed about it and she finally stood up and walked at an age a bit younger than yours.

I do want to note that once our daughter started walking, we noticed she was pigeon toed. Every annual exam after that, our pediatrician would recommend an orthopedic check her out. The orthopedic kept saying that she was fine and would outgrow being pigeon-toed, and he actually told us pigeon-toed athletes are faster runners. She outgrew this as well.

Just be patient. Carry your daughter as little as possible but always keep in mind her safety first, i.e. continue to put her in a stroller when the knee walking might scrape her knees. Eventually, she will feel the need to stand up.

Leave her alone. She likes it like that, and it's not hurting her. When she's ready, she'll stop. Don't carry her. The more emphasis you put on getting her to change, the longer it'll take. Place things at a level where she has to stand to reach them. Make it inconvenient (as much as possible) for her to function like that, and just ignore her. Right now, there's no benefit in changing it up. When there is, she'll do so.

My niece was over 2 before she walked, and now is 6 and just as normal as all the others kids. But, I would have had the same concerns you do. Just hang in there for a few more months. Is she around other kids, because sometimes that is what gets a kid to do things because they even want to keep up with their little friends. Maybe day care would help. even if once a week.

I'm not sure where you live or if this is available everywhere, but I had a friend here in Texas whose daughter was delayed in walking. She called Early Childhood Intervention, and they had that little girl walking in less than 3 months. Turned out she had poor eye-sight. So walking was a challenge because her depth perception was off. I believe the program is free of charge. It couldn't hurt to give them a call. They might be able to either help you or recommend someone to give you a more definitive opinion and do some more concrete evaluations.

A.

Hi A. I am D. Savage, LMT, LMI a massage therapist and reflexologist. Your daughter may be suffering from a short tendons in her feet that casues standing on them to be painful. Try rubbing her feet with olive oil very gently run your thumb down the center of the bottom of her feet to the back of the heel. If this is very tight or ropey feeling that could be the problem. Play pushy pully with her pushing down on your hand and then place your hand on top so she can pull her foot to you that should help get better movment.If I can help in any way you can email me at ____@____.com

If your mommy sense is tingling, it is worth investigating further. I don't know if it falls on the normal developmental spectrum or not, but I have never met a child well over a year that was still mainly walking on their knees as you described.

You may know this already, but Texas' Early Childhood Intervention program offers free evaluations for kiddos under age 3, in order to determine if there is a need for services due to disability or developmental delays.

http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/index.shtml

I would suggest getting the referral to PT. She might not need extensive services but they will be able to tell you what is going on, what activities to do, what activities to avoid, also she might do things for other people that she won't do for her parents...you know how kids can be. Also make sure it is a Pediatric PT.

They thought I was lazy, spoilt & that's why I wouldn't walk. They didn't realize that every step I took was painful. My first memories of life was my daddy rubbing my feet so I could sleep at night. X-ray & make sure.

You need Xrays and more testing. My brother (a pediatrician) said that's just not right. If your doctor thinks she's "just stubborn" at this point and didn't do any tests - you need another doctor - that's nuts. She should at least see an ortho & possibly a neuro specialist. Don't let this go any longer, or treat this as a behavioral problem when you don't have all the facts. She needs xrays and more tests asap so you can figure this out and get her the help she needs. She could just be stubborn, and I don't want to scare you - but you need more information to make sure. Good Luck.

I would get in touch with you local ECI program and heave them come out and evaluate her. It doesn't cost anything and she should be walking by now stubborn or not.
Just google ECI and the name of your town and it should pop up. Or call you rpedi and ask them to refer her, they'll know how. I actually surprised that haven't done it all ready.
Hopt that helps,
J.

Hi A.! I'm an occupational therapist in San Antonio area and work with kids with developmental delays. I'm not bad mouthing docs but I have worked with kids that were never properly diagnosed. I would definitely call early childhood intervention and get a comprehensive development evaluation. Usually ECI(early childhood intervention) will offer services 2x/month if your child qualifies. If that is the case, you can always contact a home health agency or outpatient clinic to provide services for your child. I have resources if you need any. Hope this helps!

a couple of questions to consider

was she premature (premature children reach their milestones later and walking is one of them.)

does she cry when she walks - (she could be in pain or discomfort from an undiagnosed condition)

do her calf and leg muscles seem underdeveloped (can be a sign of mild cerebral palsy)

does she seem to have balance trouble (inner ear trouble)

hopefully your doctor went through all of this with you - 20 months is on the edge of normal for not walking, but she definitly should be making some effort by now.
you could try strength excersise for her legs, make it a game - push on her feet with your feet and see who can win, lie on your back and bicycle your legs in the air - you can probably think of lots more!

I am wondering whether she may have sensory issues, meaning she doesn't like the way it feels to walk on her feet. My son has high-functioning autism and he, as well as a lot of children with autism, walks on his toes quite a bit. A child CAN have sensory issues and not have autism. Sensory issues can actually cause pain even though it seems impossible or improbable to those of us who don't suffer from it. I would definitely have her evaluated by a physical therapist AND occupational therapist. If it is a sensory issue, an occupational therapist may be able to help you. She may be perfectly fine but I would want to rule out any other problems or issues.