1 Yr Old Not Walking

Updated on July 31, 2007
D.C. asks from Key West, FL
26 answers

My son will be 1 on Thursday and he is still not walking. I know that some kids don't walk until about a year and my brothers and I all walked about 1-2 weeks after turning 1. I'm trying to help coach him here and there without pushing him. He has a walker but when I put him in it he tries to climb out of it and when he's not in it he climbs over it. I have a walker that he pushes and he will pull up on it, and at 9 months was pushing it around the room all the time. Now when it starts to move he immediately drops to his knees. He cruises around everything and climbs like he's gonna be the next scaler of Everest but he's not trying to stand on his own. Are there coaching tips? Or should I just wait. His mental milestones are way ahead so I'm not too worried about anything seriously wrong.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all the responses I have been getting. I had no idea how late some kids walk. It makes me feel better to know that. Its hard to judge as a first time mom, especially when your kid's regular playmate who is 2 weeks younger has been walking for 2 weeks now. Thanks again for all the comforting advice. I love this site.

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T.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

My daughter did not walk until the end of her 15th month and my son walked in the middle of his 16th month and to be honest with you.. I'm so glad they waited!!! I got to keep them lil babies that much longer!!! ENJOY!! They grow up VERY FAST!!!

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D.R.

answers from Greensboro on

2 of my 3 children didn't walk until way past 12 months.
If he is doing all that climbing, and continues to progress in all areas, probably nothing to worry about. They all walk when they're ready.

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J.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi D.,
I am 37 with a little guy about to be 2 next week. I didn't start walking till I was 14 mo, my boyfriend was 13 mo and my son was 14 1/2 months. He is a little on the lazy side and NOT a hip baby. I have a friend who had a boy on Feb 19, 2006 and he just started walking this weekend....almost 15 mo!

No worries, it is fun when they start but you will get LOTS of exercise! My little guy has been on target developmentally, ahead on some things and behind on others. He is not talking much but understands everything, we are convinced he is just a little stubborn and will do it when he is ready!

Good luck!

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K.M.

answers from Charlotte on

D., STOP!!! And take a breath. Most people do not understand child development. One year old is the AVERAGE a child walks. Some children walk 3 mos before their first birthday and some walk 3 or 4 mos after their first birthday. This is normal. People are too competitive these days. What does the pediatrician say?? If your child is developing normal, don't worry. If your child was a preemie or low muscle tone, it may take a little longer.
Walkers that children get put in are actually not good for their leg muscles. There has been debate over taking them off the market. The walkers they push are much better for them. Just let nature take its course.
My niece did not walk until she was 16 mos. and she is totally typical.

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O.S.

answers from Charlotte on

wait, my son did not start walking until he was 15 months so really don't push him he will walk when he's ready and drs say boys are slower than girls

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E.P.

answers from Asheville on

Hi D.,

I have a 14 month old that is not walking. She didn't start crawling until one week before she turned one. I have gotten her started with the Children's Developmental Services Agency of the Smokies. They have been working with her for about four months. She still is not walking, but she is making great strides. They have told me that she will walk when she is ready. (I blame her lateness on her dad, he didn't walk until 15 months) Just let him do his thing and he will walk when he is ready. Good Luck!!

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S.F.

answers from Charlotte on

My son didn't walk until 15 months, he crawled around 9. I wouldn't worry!! Consult your pediatrician for professional reassurance, I did and it helped me greatly! Not all babies are the same!! It doesn't at all mean he'll be slow at all things in life, it may just mean he's a perfectionist - my son went from pulling up/standing to literally walking across the room all at once. It seemed that once he was self-confident, he went for it!!

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M.B.

answers from Charleston on

Hey D.,
My son did not walk until he was almost 18 months. He just chose not to. It was not something I was worried about because he could crawl faster then I could walk. So why would he want to walk it he could ge their crawling. Now he is 2 1/2 and and looking back it seems likes he's been walking forever. So don't push it he will walk when he is ready to. It will happen over night. My daughter also did not start walking until she was 15 months and just one day she got up and started walking like it was nothing. Don't push it, it will happen and then you will be saying "Get out of there" Good Luck though....

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K.H.

answers from Lynchburg on

no dont worry about a thing. my son is 14.5 months and was doing the same exact thing and 3 weeks ago he took his first unassisted steps, now he is almost running.

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R.B.

answers from Norfolk on

The only thig I can think of and I'm sure you already have a pair, are walking shoes to give him support for his ankles. It may bother him when he tries to put his whole weight on his feet & ankles to stand. At 9 months he may have tried too soon and maybe hurt something and is scared to try again. I think you should just give hime a little more time. Kids usually start walking when they want something bad enough. Good luck!

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R.D.

answers from Jacksonville on

My son did the same thing. Everyone kept asking me why he wasn't walking because his father and I were early walkers, and he is so quick with all his mental milestones like your son. i just left him only and he actaully started walking on his first birthday. I was cooking dinner and the next thing I knew he came walking around the corner. So my advice is just don't worry he'll walk when he is ready.

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J.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You should just wait and let him walk when he wants to. My son is 17 months and he is just now taking his first steps. Don't forget that he has until he is 18 months old to walk, so don't push him. When my son was 15 months old at his well baby check up, the dr. said that as long as he is cruises around don't worry. There is no way you can make your son walk when he isn't ready. Mine just screamed and cried and drops to his knees when we tried to make him walk or he would put his feet up in the air and not even stand.

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W.S.

answers from Spartanburg on

Hi D.,

My brother did that and it took the Drs forever to find out that he was simply anemic. They treated the anemia and he took off like a bullet.

Feed him some prune juice and see if that helps, or call his Dr and ask for a safe iron supplement.

You are in my prayers.

W.

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J.W.

answers from Columbia on

Hey D.,
No need to worry..my son didn't walk until he was 14 months old. :)

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K.R.

answers from Raleigh on

My son was about 14 months before he started walking on his own. Don't worry about it and enjoy because once they start they don't stop! My pediatrician never seemed worried about it either. I would just let him go at his own pace.

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D.E.

answers from Lynchburg on

My son was 13 mo. before walking accually I think he was 13 and a week. Mom always said the boys often take a little longer
do to their dont care attitude. Just a joke. on the attitude part of corse. Just try to be patent. If he isnt walking after that I would talk to a doctor. My son was lazy. It was easier for him to crawl and climb than to walk. lol. Try to relax about it. Even if your not pressuring him he can feel your anxiety. Take care, D.

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A.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

My fiance said that a good way to get them to walk is to put them in one side of a pack-n-play and hold a french fry (or whatever is their fave. food) at the other and that they'll walk over to get the fry....this is new to me too, he's raised his sister's four kids, and this is our first, but I guess you can try it. He says it's like a "daddy trick" or something. haha. Good luck.
Ally.

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J.B.

answers from Hickory on

My son did not walk until 15 months...he has continued to be behind in gross and fine motor skills by 6 or so months (he is three now). For example, he only recently learned to pedal his tricycle and does it very poorly! However, he is very verbal and sociable with children who are 5, 6 years old. Every child is different and develops skills at different rates. I would not worry yet. :)

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R.S.

answers from Hickory on

I wouldn't worry too much just yet, especially since he is ahead in other areas. I have a home daycare and have had 3 children from the same family, none of which walked before the age of 15 months. They are now 10yrs, 4yrs, and 2yrs, and are all doing well with no developmental problems. I had tried standing them up against a wall for support and coaxing them with toys, food, anything they were interested in but nothing worked. He will walk when ready, they did.

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M.P.

answers from Spartanburg on

My daughter rolled over, crawled, and cruised well ahead of the curve, but for some reason never warmed up to walking. If I tried to take her hand and lead her away from the coffee table, she immediately dropped to all fours. There's not too much you can do to encourage walking, so in the mean time make sure your home is "cruise-friendly" so he can build his muscles. My daughter didn't walk until 14 1/2 months.

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C.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

Don't worry about coaching him. All kids develop differently. I got worried about my son not walking too, but he finally did...at 16 1/2 months. It'll happen. Hang in there.

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V.B.

answers from Columbia on

Your little one is just a little more cautious about letting go. My twin boys are now 16 mos. old. One just started walking at 15 1/2 mos and took off like he could have done it all along. He is the more reserved, cautious type. His twin is wide open, but still hasn't walked. He definitely keeps trying now that his brother is doing it-lol. So be patient & enjoy because they dont forget once they learn :-)
Good luck

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A.D.

answers from Charlotte on

I have 5 children (4 boys/1girl) they all walked at different times. Our oldest is a climber which sounds like your son. As long as everything is on track he sounds great & adventurous! Just keep giving him Praise when he is walking around furniture and he will pick up and start running when he is ready! Good Luck!

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R.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

Don't worry a thing about it!! My son didn't even start pulling up until he was 10 months old. Didn't push his walker toy around until he was 11 months. He would cruise like a maniac around 1 year, but he didn't start walking until he was right near 14 months old. Now he just turned 16 months and even though he's not completely steady with walking, he's trying to run. Give him time and enjoy the rest while you can...soon enough you'll be begging him to sit still for you. :o) Good luck.

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R.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi. My daughter is 3 now. She started walking the day before her 1st birthday. We were not doing a lot of coaching. She just took off on her own. Try not to compare your son to others or to written milestones in magazines. He is working at his own pace. Being leary of the walker may just mean he realizes he is in control! Take care.

R.... 45 year old stay at home mom of 1 child!

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S.B.

answers from Charleston on

I have 4 children, 2 boys, 2 girls. They ALL walked at 15-17months. They're all very bright. I've read in numerous places that reading and crawling are directly related. Don't push. He'll walk when he's ready. Then you'll be chasing him around wondering why you were in such a hurry to have him walking! :)

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