13 Month Old Walking

My 2nd didn't start walking until about 16 months. Shoes or no shoes did not seem to make a differnce. What did make a HUGE difference was an exercise ball(or giant play ball.) My fiance would walk around with her holding onto the ball and rolling it back towards him. She would hold on to the ball and walk towards him rolling it. It worked much better than the wheeled toys and walkers!

I have heard that kids learn to walk better without shoes, that they use their toes to help them balance. Hope this helps.
L.

I just wanted to share that our twin daughters started walking when they were fourteen months old. The "older" twin (by 13 minutes) walked first, and she is currently at basketball camp. So know that this nine-year-old had no problems walking once she got started, and she's now at the top of her class academically - walking "a little later" wasn't a problem. Her "younger" sister, not as physically daring, got up and took her first steps a few minutes later, once she saw how excited we were. The girls were born at full term, so they weren't behind physically - I just had a few more months to make sure things were effectively babyproofed. :)

Just be patient...my neice didn't start walking till 15 months and now at 7 years old she is very smart and healthy. Don't worry, he'll walk eventually, just enjoy the time you spend with him. Practice a little every day.

I had read that no shoes or in the very least shoes with very soft, flexible soles were the best. My pediatrician gave me props for the shoes I get for my daughter. I started with Robeez and then moved to Pedipeds (http://www.pediped.com/Home/Home.aspx). These are great shoes. I swear by them as being the best thing for your child to transition into hard(er) soled shoes. Our daughter loves them too. I usually order online, but there is a place in Clifton you can get them as well - you'll have to check out the store locator on the pediped website.

Good luck!

Actually it can work both ways. My oldest learned to walk better with shoes and my other 2 it worked better for them without shoes. Try it for a while without shoes and if it doesn't seem to do much good try it with shoes. Each kid is different in the aspect of walking better with or without shoes. You can buy him toys to help get him walking as well. Those do help but it takes time.
D.

I am 31 and have been M. for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.

My oldest didn't walk until he was 13 month. He wore shoes all the time.
My youngest walked at 10 and didn't wear shoes even after he learned to walk. He wore only booties.

Actually my son walked later than my daughter by about 2 months. My daughter did not have a pair of shoes until she started walking. I did have my son in shoes prior to him walking. I think kids walk better without shoes. They can spread their toes out to get a better grip on stand and stablizing themselves.

I would use the robeez my daughter did well with those they feel their feet more in them. He will be walking soon. I never pushed my daughter I let her walk naturally I did have one of those toys that helps them walk you may want to get one.

My kids have always been barefoot in the home, in the backyard on the grass and throughout the day except if we're going to a park or somewhere public like that, until they walked...

My daughter walked at 10 1/2 months and my son walked at 11 1/2 months. He is still doing some crawling and holding on to furniture, but he's walking some too, he will be 12 months in July.

I also agree with you that all kids are different. My husband and I were early walkers, I have 2 sisters with 2 children each, 1st child walked at 12 months, 2nd close to 18 months (had some physical therapy, she was in no hurry but nothing wrong) 3rd at 14 months and 4th around 14 months as well.... Interesting huh?

I personally prefer the walking than crawling since they can cruise the park etc but I never pushed it, my M. would say oh they're too young to stand bla bla, I said, what? do you want me to push them down when they stand? :)

Each child does it when ready for sure.. :)

When my son was learning. I heard it all. Since my son didnt go out much since it was winter he never had shoes on. He learned to walk just fine. If you are concerned speak to you dr. about what is best.

I wouldn't be to concerned about this yet. We use our toes to grip and balance. With shoes on we lose that ability.
When they really start walking a lot they need good walking shoes for the ankle support when outside where the ground is so unlevel.
At 56 I have watched and listened to the rules and regulations on what to do and not to do (according to physicians and specialists) change on the average of every two years. This alone can make you crazy!!!
I thought my son would never walk! He crawled early and was so fast at it he was scary! He ended up running track and was fast at that too.

My DD didn't walk till closer to 15 or 16 months. She showed no signs of even wanting to, and it drove me nuts, lol! She just seemed happy to just crawl around. He'll walk when he's ready, don't worry.

My granddaughter just started walking at 14 months. No shoes. My daughter started walking at 10 months. She is still barefoot! I think it's just an individual thing like everything else we learn to do. Just enjoy them as much as possible and rejoice in all they do. You never know when they will be gone.
mddhf

EVERYTHING I have read says no shoes or leather-soled only. I believe they say kids learn by 15 months, so definitely don't worry for at least another 2 months:)

I don't think it really impacts how they learn to walk - "they" recommend not using shoes because they have better balance with all the muscles in their feet and toes, etc., but some babies don't like the way the floor feels on their feet, so for them shoes might be better. Both of my kids learned to walk with and without shoes (they wore shoes most of the time), once they learn to walk you usually have to keep shoes on them out of the house anyway. I take care of my niece and she is 14 1/2 months old and she isn't walking either, she's starting to take a step now and then and seems to me that she does better when she has shoes on. I have found with most child-raising issues for every answer there is an opposite answer (breast v. bottle, cloth v. disposables, ferber v. holding them all the time). Good luck - I think the robeez type of shoe is good since it protects their feet, but doesn't block their use of muscles, however I don't particularly like them on older children but that's just me.

Leah-Don't worry about it! I have 2 little girls and they both developed differently. My now 3 1/2 year old didn't walk until she was 19 months old! My 15 month old has been walking like a champ for 2 months now. They are all different and it doesn’t matter what shoes you put them in or if they go barefoot. They will learn when they are ready.

That being said, both of my girls went barefoot until they really started walking. In my opinion, I think it helped them with their balance. Haley (my 15 month old) is now wearing these hybrid shoes from Target. They are soft sided, but have rubber pads on the bottom; kind of like sneakers, but soft in-between. I apologize that I don't know the name; my mother-in-law bought them! They are a good blend of barefoot & shoe! :o) They also have some that are just soft everywhere and have a gray bottom..maybe start there for traction and then go into the ones with the sneaker-bottom.

Good luck and relax..your little guy will figure it out!

our daughter didn't start to walk until 17 months, so i understand where you're coming from...we did a lot of research on the shoes or no shoes thing (b/c my mother in law was a constant source of 'put shoes on that baby & she'll walk!'). we came to the conclusion that it's better to leave the hard soled shoes off. shoes like robeez were okay, but suppposedly babies do better when they can feel the ground. anyway, i'm sure you'll get many responses that contradict :o) but i do have to say that after we put hard soled shoes on my daughter, she sort of appeared to walk 'funny' or unsure of herself for a week or two.
and we were told over & over again by our pediatrician not to be worried that she wasn't walking as early as some or even most toddlers do... have no worries.

It's easy to just say "count your blessings" because, once they start walking, you want them to just sit down! But, I know your concerned. The normal age range for walking is from 10 month - 18 months, with most falling in that 12 month time frame. A doctor will probably tell you he's fine, especially since he is cruising. Once he wants to walk to get to something, he will. Play those games, where he walks from your 9 yr old to you (sit a few feet apart). Also, if he's cruising from say a chair to a table, try spacing a little apart, and place a favorite toy on the table. Good luck!

L.

A little about me: I'm a 30ish M. to 3 great kids: 9,5 and 4. I'm a former teacher who is now a SAHM and author of book: "Imagine Amazing Me!"

Leah,
Put him in whatever he likes best. My first daughter didn't even crawl or cruise, but scooted on her rump until she was 17 months. Then she just got up and walked! He'll get there when he's ready regardless of what he has on his feet. Just enjoy the fact that he can't climb yet! ;-)

I am a M. of 4 and grandma of 4. I wondered the same thing when my oldest was late in walking. In the end, it didn't seem to matter, shoes or no shoes. To repeat what you said: kids do things in their own time. At the time I remember an older friend telling me "L., he isn't going to be crawling to work at age 40 with his briefcase!" My son finally began walking at 15 1/2 months old. At 17, he was voted by the Cincinnati Enquirer to be on the all city soccer team, so obviously his late walking had no effect on his eventual level of motor skills.

I believe years ago, the common advice was to put kids in firm shoes that go up past their ankles to provide ankle and foot support and to help shape their foot.

Currently, many pediatricians say to let toddlers go barefoot as much as possible - definitely when inside. If they're outside and need some protection for their feet, then thin flexible shoes are best.

It seems that it would be easier to learn to walk if you can feel the changes in the ground with your feet than if you're wearing thick-soled shoes.

It is best to let him learn without shoes. When he wears shoes they will stabilize his ankles and let him learn to walk faster but then when he doesn't have shoes on he prob won't be able to walk due to this. It also will make his lower legs and ankles become stronger & develop correctly. It will come with time but I would let him learn bare footed!! Good Luck!

Please do not worry so much! You need to relax! My oldest didn't walk until 17 months and my youngest didn't walk until 15 months. They run around like maniacs now!

What should you do? Just relax and enjoy your time with your son. He'll walk when he's ready and soon you'll be chasing him around!

Good luck!

Hi Leah! I agree with the last comment. My 3rd child walked late (14 mos!). With the first 2 I had them in regular shoes (it was winter) but with this one, I had discovered Robeez (and there are others that are similar). These are like moccosins and are recommended by pediatrists and pediatricians alike! They protect little feet (and keep them clean) but feel like barefoot. Once my little guy started walking, he was running. He never really was clumbsy like the other 2. I am pregnant again and due in 3 weeks. I definately plan on using the same shoes for this one, too! Even if this one walks late, I'm sure he/she will be a great walker.
Take care.