13 Month Old Not Walking Yet?!

Hi S.,
I am having the same problem with my 15 month old daughter. My first two children walked at 9 1/2 months and were running in circles by 15 months. I get so frustrated some times because I can't get anything done. The worst thing is she CAN walk she just doesn't want to. I've seen her go when I wasn't really paying attention and she'll walk between people and things, but is very stiff. When she holds my ONE finger she walks like a pro. Everyone says she'll do it when she's ready.
I guess they're right, but we still make a big hoorah when she walks on her own. She really likes to take steps outside in the yard to pick flowers. We take her out often to see her progress.
Good luck.
N.

Mine walked at about 11 months - my pediatrician commented about how that is very early these days. She asked if my husband and I were early walkers - both of us were....but more like 9 and 10 months. She said that walking by 1 year is like walking at 9 months used to be. She said that with the newer recommendations for back sleeping babies are simply meeting milestones later and so the norms for those milestones have been pushed back several months. 18 months is still within a normal range for walking. No worries...

Hi Steph actually funny thing is I also am a mother of a 4 year old (girl) and a almost 20 month old son (now) but I was very worried he didn't start walking til he was almost 15 months old and the doctor said that was fine. My daughter walked by the time she was a year old and she had even had foot surgery and stuff so talk about frightening but they say boys progress slower. I also have saw that he hasn't said as many words he just now is starting to put a few words he does know to small sentences. Be patient remember you only have more to worry about when they are walking talking and climbing. Remember how nice it was when you could put them down go do something and come back and they were in the same place you put them. Those days are long gone for me now! smile!

My son is 15 months and just started walking two days ago. He also only started crawling a week ago. I was so worried something was wrong with him. Then once he started going I realized I should've been grateful that I had longer to relax than other Moms. Does your son use a walker? I realized Hayden (my son) was ready to walk when he lost interest in his walker.
My advice sit back and relax while you still can.

My 14 month old isnt walking either, he is recieving early intervention services and is starting to stand on the furniture, he pulls himself up and tryd to bare weight on his legs but i am having the same problems and his PT is starting to make progress

my daughter is 13 months and not walking either. i'm not worried at all. she is pulling herself up and walking while holding on to things around the house. i wouldn't worry if i was you. :-)

Hi S.,

My daughter didn't walk until 18 months by herself. She would walk all over the house holding on to things. I was also concerned and remember the doc telling me that as long as she is putting weight on her legs, not to worry, all kids walk at different times.

How is his weight?

hi i have had 3 of my children not walk till they were 15 months old when your child is ready he will walk then you won't be able to stop him but i am curious to know why his legs go limp when you hold his hands to walk with him does he do that on purpose or what?

Some babies are late walkers. My son didn't walk until he was 18 months. Needless to say I was also very worried. I had several walk behind push walkers, not the kind that they can sit in. Anyway I had my son practice w/ these 2 or 3 times a day. At first he would push them while on his knees. Once he was comfortable with that, I made him stand up. It took some work and I was persistent and made it fun. I too would push the toy and then pretend to fall and then laugh. That way they know it's okay to fall and it's normal. Good Luck! - S.

Both of my children were late walkers, one at 15 months and one at 14 months. My doctors assured me that 15 months was average although they did often ask if they were able to bear weight on their legs (which they were). Is your child unable to do this, or just unwilling to do it because he wants to be held rather than walk?

My friend's baby was also not walking at 13 months. She just continued to work with him, encourage him, and be patient. He's walking fine now. Don't worry, he'll get there!

Not to worry as long as your son can pull him self up and hold on to things while he is walk, My son is 16 months and he is still not walking either. just keep encourge him. Just keep trying holding his hands and if he gose limp that's ok he's just not ready. when he is ready he'll let you know. My son did the same thing then one day I notice that he was trying to reach his favorite toy so I took his hands and he walk to his toy. Just keep trying.

my daughter was close to 15 months... i'm pretty sure even doctors don't make a big deal until at least 18 months.. he'll do it when he's ready!

Hi S.,

I wouldn't worry too much about your son not walking yet. All three of my sons walked 13mths or later. In comparing my boys to my girls...the boys took longer to walk for some odd reason. I would say if he's not walking by his next well check up, talk to your pediatrican about it. As I said, I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Enjoy this time with him...because once he does start to walk...boys have lots of energy!! Watch out! ;o)

i have a child that did not walk until he was 18 months old. i was alittle worried because my other children walked before tehn. he had to go through physical therapy to help him. you may not have anything to worry about, but if you want to make sure there is a program called infants and toddlers. i dont know where youre from and if it will be close to you. if you want i can give you the info just emil me ____@____.com son was in it and they were great.they have a good program.

really it's not a big deal I have a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old and my 2 yr old was walking by 10 mons then there was my 4 yr old who did walk untill see was right around where your son is now and the only way we got her walking then was with this turck that had a handel she could hold on to and push in front of her so she felt as if she walking around holding onto something and she only needed it for a little over a week and one day she got brave and took off across the room. So really give him all the time he needs he's a baby and he just like takeing his good sweet time and really count your blessings (lol) cause just think once he starts walking around he's going to have to get into everything he can reach. But that's just what kids do and it makes us love them even more but don't worry every baby has their own way of doing things and their own speeds. And I am almost possitive any Dr. would tell you the same and that's just to guve him his own time to do it and it will happen one day and I am sure that one day will be very very soon then you'll find yourself asking yourself why did I want him to walk so bad. (lol) but it will still fill you with joy to see it even if it means he's makeing the house cleaning a little harder.

dont worry he will walk when he is ready my daughter didnt start walking until she was almost 16 months the doctor told me it was fine that she was taking everything in and watching everything to learn more sheis 2 now and she walks fine and talks really well for a 2 year old

Hi I was considered as well, but my son who is 14 months going onto 15 months just started walking, its all in their timing. He will when he is ready, I wouldn't worry.

We had the same problem...have your husband and yourself sit face-to-face as close as possible (with room for your son to stand up between the two of you), have a bottle for the child to want to reach/walk for. Start close to each other, have the child stand up in front of Dad (with Dad's help) and Mom has the bottle in her hand. The child will want to practice walking to the Mom to get the bottle. When the child reaches the Mom and the bottle, let the child drink a little from the bottle, then hand the bottle back to the Dad, then have the child walk to the Dad, let the child drink a little from the bottle, then repeat the process. Gradually, the Mom and Dad will scoot slightly further away from each other (not too dramatic of a change that the kid will notice). This helps build the child's confidence while nurturing at the same time.

My older son didn't walk on his own until 15 months. He would push a little ride on toy everywhere he wanted to go. One day he just let go, turned around to go back and get something. He's been running ever since. Don't worry about it. He'll do it when he's ready.