Almost 15 Month Not Walking Yet =/ Any Advice to Help?

G., HI I thought that my little guy would never walk. He just wasn't all that interested. His mode of transport was crawling and boy did he do that super fast. Anyway he started walking in October which was almost 15 months old. He is now just over 2 and is running around. So, hold on you are not a failure as a mom.
-P.

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It's not you! You ARE NOT failing as a mother... It's obvious from your post that your daughter is adored. She's fine! We were worried about my niece for awhile. She didn't walk until she was 19 months old. She's now 4 1/2 and a super bright little girl who walks, runs and jumps!

If you do want to encourage your little gal to walk more maybe try getting a push toy for her. My daughter has a doll play stroller that she still loves to push around. They have them pretty inexpensive at Target. She also loved to stand and push the stroller with me pushing behind her. Might wanna be careful with that one, though. Now she wants to get out and push the stroller,the grocery cart... Ugh... Makes shopping a real chore. lol.

Don't worry though... She's fine! I wouldn't worry for at least a few more months.

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I just wanted to share my daughter's story...she started walking while I held her hand around 11 months but was still to scared to do it on her own also...one day around 14 months I was walking her around and gave her a helium balloon on a string in one hand to hold while I held the other hand...I slowly took my hand away and she walked holding and looking at the balloon for a few minutes before she realized she wasn't holding my hand too:) I thought it was really cute and quite unintentional and made for a great picture of her first time walking:)After that she was fine to walk on her own without fear.
Don't worry about the time line, she will walk at her own pace and you are not a failure as mom in any way:)

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don't worry about it, she will walk in her own time. my 17 month old just started walking in the last 2 weeks. he didn't crawl till 11 months, but once he started crawling he was very good at it. same with walking - he may have waited a long time to walk, but once again he went from wobbling to strong good walking very quickly.

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Sounds like she CAN walk, but has no confidence yet. Give her the space to get there on her own. She's able to stand, and balance for one or two steps. That's walking.

If she is getting mad WHEN you "help" her, she's telling you she needs space to work this out herself.

Helping her walk has only slight value, and she'll only gain confidence by doing it herself, at the speed that's right for her. I've seen healthy and happy babies walk as late as 17-18 months, and they were completely normal.

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Your daughter sound exactly like my daughter. My daughter walked 2 days before she turned 18 months and when she started walking, she walked for 45 minutes straight. The light switched turned on and she went.

My daughter has been the final end of almost every milestone, walking, talking, sitting up, rolling over, etc. At first I was concerned but now that she is 6 years old, a superb reader and very smart girl, I don't worry so much. I know that crawling is vital - really vital - to reading and writing, so encourage her to crawl as much as possible. It connect little parts of the brain that walking doesn't. They even teach older kids how to crawl if they have reading writing problems.

Relax and enjoy the standing and crawling because when she does learn to walk you'll be running. :)

Positively,
M.

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G.,

First of all, have no fear that this has anything to do with you! As a preschool teacher/nanny, I have seen a huge spectrum of "when" children begin to walk, talk or master any area of development.

Now, I know that should make you feel better, but I've also been exactly where you are as a mother and understand how much we want our kids to be caught up with their peers. My son was a late everything-er. He was behind his peer group in eating solids (babyfood through at least 16 months--would spit everything else out); barely started sitting by 6 months; crawling and walking both took forever... all we can do is have faith in our children. They will eventually master each new skill in their own time or be able to help us understand what it is they are needing.

It sounds like your daughter is on the cusp of something. If she is afraid of falling, consider taking a step back both physically and emotionally. That is, let her attempt things in her own time. If it were me, I'd let her ride in the backpack/carrier when she needs to be carried, otherwise, let her be on the floor and working things out on her own.

We see it often on tv and with our families and friends, but walking with the arms up, holding onto a parent's fingers, is actually not a pleasant way to walk and puts the body and muscles out of optimum alignment for walking. (Please--try this on yourself. If you put your arms up like you are holding onto something, it sticks your chest out and pulls stomach, hips back. Not comfortable!) This isn't to get you upset by this information: like I said, we see it all the time. This adult-supported stance does help more motivated children who are trying to walk to stay up- but only because they are more frustrated *not* walking- not because it's actually helpful to the act of walking itself.

Give her time, lots of space, and let her proceed at her own pace. Maybe some soft spaces (like a yoga mat on the floor) would help encourage her, so if she falls, it's not so hard?

For what it's worth, I don't know why your friends or family should be shocked. Perhaps everyone is making more out of this than need be? (Esp. if other babies were early birds in development.) If you are still worried in a couple months, schedule some time with your pediatrician. Instead of reacting, they will likely give you some good information and options. Occasionally a little help from an occupational therapist is just what's needed. But to me, it sounds like you have a pretty normal kiddo.:)

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my son didn't walk until he was 19 months - there was nothign wrong with him (and there is still nothing wrong with him...) at almost 4, he runs, jumps, climbs, hops...unless you really think that there is a reason for the delay (a developmental reason) I wouldn't worry about it yet!

I think your daughter is just fine and it certainly doesn't make you a failure as a mom. Some little ones just walk earlier than others. My 12-month-old son cruises and will stand for a few seconds unsupported, but no steps alone. I keep getting people saying, "So, he's walking now right?" No, he's not and a child turning 1-year-old does not magically make them walk. Just brush it off and if someone questions it just tell them that she's cautious and taking her time. She'll do it when she's ready.

Hi, G.. Don't worry. According to the statistics from multiple pediatric sources (including Dr. Sears), the average age a baby walks is 14 months old. Most people think it is 12mo but that is not the case. That being said, the "normal" range is 10-18 months old.
My son didn't start crawling until 14mo and didn't walk until 18mo. But when he did, he did them extremely well. Almost like he had been absorbing everything and was just waiting for the perfect time.
I wouldn't worry and don't let your friends and family worry you. For some reason everyone seems to be in a developmental race with their little ones. Every child is different and develops at their own pace. The books are just a guideline not an absolute. When the kids are all 5 years old it won't matter when they started walking or talking. They'll all be running around shouting and playing. Hang in there and just let your sweet daughter take all the time she needs. She will definitely get there. Kids grow up so fast so cherish these times. She'll be going to school before you know it. :)

Hi G., What I would do is get a toy that she has to push around that gives her something to hold onto. Also I put strings hanging from the ceiling with a toy that she likes in the middle of the room that she has to walk to get to it. It should help and having her walk to you with her seeing what she is walking to instead of you holding her hands behind her so she sees what she is walking to instead of giving up. Hope this helps, P. K

Don't worry, I have three kids and they were all late walkers, 15 month, 16th month and 17th months!

They are 11, 9 and 4 and never slow down.

I carried my last child a lot, knowing she was my last and she was the latest walker and she is now 4 and runs everywhere.

You are doing just fine. She sounds right on track if she is trying to take a few steps. It is when they won't pull themselves up to things or walk when you hold their hands, then it could be a problem.

If your still concerned, contact your pediatrition.

Good luck. :)

Do you have friends with kids the same age that walk? if you get together with kids the same age, you will be amazed how they do. Usually kids copy other kids. When my daughter never crawl until we went to a Christenning and she saw other kids doing it, she was 8 months, we try to teach her and help her but nothing worked. Walking the same thing, we had a brithday party for her with kids her age of a little bit older that walk and amazingly she starting walking herself, I will call monky see, monky do. Try it out.

Rossana

My son walked at 10 months (ugh). The little neighbor girl down the street, who was born 2 days before my son, walked at 18 months. She was a shy, cautious kid and just wasn't ready, I think more emotionally than physically. Anyhow, it was fine. So unless your doctor is concerned (have you talked to the doctor?) I wouldn't worry about it yet. In a year or two, I'm sure she'll be the same as all her peers...

I could be nothing or something. Babies develop so differently and their is a long span for walking milestones. If you are truly concerned it is always a good thing to bring up with your doctor and let them check out the cues and if there may be tonal issues or something else. The most important thing to remember is that you are not a bad Mom or doing anything wrong. I feel we get too caught up in developmental competition, for lack of better wording. Good luck to you and keep breathing.

I suggest talking with her pediatrician? My son had issues with crawling and then walking. Our doctor had a physical therapist assess him for a more thorough exam. It turns out he has low muscle tone. We did physical therapy with him for a couple of months (for the crawling) and she gave us good excercises to work on for walking. In the end he crawled at 11 months and walked at 15 months. He is an active 5 year old boy now....and my concerns about his mobility are a thing of the past.

Good luck!

It really bothers me that this myth still persists! Your kid is NOT a late walker, she is within the NORMAL range for walking which is 9-18 months! Tell your friends and family next time they ask about it. I don't know where people got this idea that kids are always walking by 12 months. The AVERAGE age is 14 months!

EVERY baby is different. Your friends and family need to calm down.

My daughter didn't crawl until she was a year old, and it took her a good six more months to walk. The only developmental hurdle that's scary (if it doesn't happen) is crawling--for a baby needs to crawl for several months before moving to walking.

My daughter is now nearly 9 and is perfectly healthy and active. People at the daycare (other parents, not attendants) looked at her funny when she couldn't walk when all the other kids did, but she was perfectly happy, I was perfectly happy, and she turned out just fine.

Don't let anyone make you feel like a failure. Pushing her to do something she is not developmentally ready for is not the way... put your trust in her, and she will find her own path. (Wouldn't it be nice if adults could do this, too! :-0).

You are absolutely right to trust that "she will get there in time." Don't let them rush her--or you. Take care of yourself!

Don't worry and do not feel like a failure. My first son did not walk until he was 17 months old. I had so many people tell me I held him too much, etc. I even had him in daycare two days a week and the provider told me something must be wrong with his bones. Due to others insensitive comments I grew very worried and paranoid. Ultimately we ended up taking our son to Children's Hospital to be evaluated. He was evaluated and diagnosed as a highly intelligent boy who was just not ready to walk. Simple as that. I look back on it now and count my blessings beacause when he did start walking he was extremely stable on his feet. Some babies walk before a year and you are chasing them all over the place worrying they will fall and hurt themselves. It is so tough because I know as a first time Mom you are always talking about what your child is doing and what milestone have they reached etc. A friend once described my son as contemplative and said he would walk when he was ready and he did. Hang in there, she will soon take off and you will look back and wonder why you worried so much..I sure did. Don't ever doubt yourself as a mother.

Hi. I have a wonderful, sweet and beautiful almost 4 yr. old granddaughter that I have watched so much through those years. She was almost 2 and not walking. I finally took control and took her to the doctor and finally got help. She has what they call loosy/goosy ankles and that is one reason she couldn't walk. When she was baking she was very breach. Her upper trunk muscles are now only at a 2yr old level. She walks, runs, but not quite up to par for her age. I would say to keep bugging your doctor if it continues. No one would listen to me. I finally go her into Child Developement and they got her a PT and speech therapist etc. and she is moving right along. Good luck with you sweet girl but don't let it so to much further before pressing for a answer because the sooner you get help the sooner she will get better if she does happen to have a problem.

All kids develop at their own pace. My son walked at 17 months, my daughter at 15 months. Both my kids are "typical" children and developing normally. I remember wondering if there was something wrong and it drove me nuts! As long as she is reaching other milestones in her development, she will walk very soon. Make sure she has low tables and furniture to pull her self up onto.

Mine didn't walk until 15 mos either, but then walked perfectly when she started. Some kids are "perfectionists" even at that young age and prefer not to do the fall/walk/fall/walk thing and wait until they are strong enough and developed enough to walk without falling much. No worries. She'll be getting into stuff all over the house before you know it.

My daughter did the same thing. She is smart as a whip but just found it easier to accomplish what she needed to while crawling. It made me feel like a failure too. But I wasn't and neither are you. Assisted walking helped my daughter too but I think her big motivator was seeing all of the other kids walking at gym class! If you can't afford a gym class (I certainly can't now that my 2nd is here!) then try taking her around other kids that are walking and help her walk then. Or you could try and have fun activities planned at a child sized table or something that she has to stand to get to and work with and place the items far enough apart that she has to walk around to get them. My daughter just decided one day that she was going to walk and from then on there was no struggle. Hang in there! You are a good mom! I promise you won't have a 6 year old that doesn't walk! =)

I would mention it to her doctor but there is such a wide variance with these things...it's possible your daughter is just focusing on another skill right now and not so much her mobility. Also, my daughter was mobile from an early age (that's just what she focused on..but was a late talker...she didn't even babble much as an infant just opened her mouth one day when she was about 20 months and was saying 2 word sentences). My daughter has never liked being pushed to do anything and i think that it was our over excitement about her mobility that actually caused a bit of a delay for her independent walking skills. She too was scared about taking those steps on her own...finally we decided to just let her take the lead and she took those steps when we weren't even paying much attention! You could try getting a toy that is stable that she can push around while walking behind it. Make sure she has lots and lots of time to practice on her own with your supervision and encouragement but try not to push her into walking. My pediatrician wasn't concerned about independent walking and said that it's normal for children almost 2 years old to not be walking independently...as long as there is nothing medically or physically wrong with your daughter then just relax, sit back and enjoy watching her develop in her unique way :)

You are NOT a failure as a mother! Each baby has their own timetable for learning physical, emotional, and cognitive milestones. Obviously, if you had strapped your daughter into a bouncy chair all day for the past 15 months, this would cause her not to learn to walk - but seeing as you are encouraging and even physically helping her, there is nothing more to be done and the fact that she is not ready has nothing to do with you. Did you know that a child who starts to walk at 18 months old is still in the NORMAL range of development? NOT late, or slow, but normal. The AVERAGE is 12 months, but they don't have to be within a month of the average to be normal. A physical therapist would not consider your daughter to need therapy at this point, just keep up the good work and when friends or family ask tell them "She'll walk when she's ready, and until then I'll be there to catch her when she falls." A year from now on the playground you won't be able to tell who's kid walked at 9 months and who's walked at 17 months - they will all be running around together while you sit and worry about who's kid is already talking in sentences and who's you can hardly understand half of the single words they mutter! Enjoy this time with your daughter before she's walking around the house so fast you can't take your eyes off her lest she get hurt!

I totally know how you feel! My daughter was at about the same stage yours seems to be and FINALLY started walking at 14.5 months... Don't worry!!! It will come very soon and then you'll be sitting on the floor watching her do tiny little laps around the island in the kitchen (or whatever) and you'll be balling your eyes out that she's not your little baby anymore... Like I did!! ;0) My friend made a great point though... at least she'll be old enough to understand 'no' a little better than say a 10 month old taking off and getting into everything! Take care and just keep encouraging her!

I just wanted to chime and and say I agree with the previous posters, and recommend this push wagon:

http://www.radioflyer.com/products/wagons/12.asp

My daughter loved it, and it's got some type of restrictor on the wheels so that it can't get away from them easily and cause them to fall.

Hi,
Both my daughters walked later than most kids 16 months old.. they are fine age 6 year old and 3 years old.. she will do it when she is ready... :) U can't make her walk if she does't want too.. It will make her more resistant and throw fits.. We had an elmo push toy cart we liked.. She sounds like a cutie and before u know it she will be on the run and so will u..
L.

My daughter didn't walk until she was about 18 months old with the help of physical therapy and AFOs (specially molded plastic braces that supported her feet and ankles). She had low tone in her trunk and thighs. Who knew?? She also had other issues, but with the help of the orthodics and specific exercises, she made quick progress and was outrunning me before I knew it. Talk to your pediatrician. It may be that she just needs a little support... both physically and professionally. We found therapy to be a lot of fun and learned a lot of fun games to play to help her along... Just a thought. Have fun with her, regardless. I'm sure it will be fine.

I know exactly how you feel..my son, who now is 3 didn't walk till he was 15 1/2 months..I talked to his doctor and she said that was fine because he was doing everything else on time. I just rested on the issue and enjoyed him because I knew when he started walking he wasn't going to stop. :)
So my advice is to just ignore everyone's comments on your daughter and enjoy her cause she is going to grow up so fast.
I say don't get down on yourself about being a good or bad mom, I'm sure we all have our days when we tend to feel we are failing as mom's, at least I can say for myself ;)

Hope this helps! S.

Hi G.-

My son was also a late walker, not really taking off until 17 months old! Like you I was worried about his development. I talked to his doctor and she wasn't at all concerned. As long as they seem to be developing normal in other areas, walking will come when they are ready. They're sometimes just a little fearful about how insecure they feel taking those first steps.

It actually sounds like your daughter is off to a good start. At least she's taken a few steps. Try offering her something special, like a snack, or a toy or book she doesn't get to see very often, and encourage her to walk to get it. If she sits down just stand her up and try again. Don't let her have the item until she's gotten to it without falling down. My kids seemed to forget that they were afraid to take a few steps if I had something interesting enough to get to. Also, see if you can help her walk around holding onto just one of your hands, rather then both.

Anyway, hope that helps! I'm sure she'll be running around before you know it :).

My daughter is 16 months and still crawling. She can walk when she wants or is distracted by something exciting which is rare. She too is scared. I am not concerned and sure she will walk when she's ready. You are not a failure..every baby is different.

People get so caught up in what other kids are doing, and it stresses them out un-necessarily. The average age is 14 months, but for there to be an average then there has to be kids that fall out side that spectrum. Most kids fall within the range of 10-18 month. It is this way with most mile stones, some start early, some late. My son brock his first tooth at 3 months, my friends baby got her first tooth at 15 months!!! But her teeth just came in faster once they started. They all catch up eventually.

You are a great mom and doing everything you should be doing. Except worrying too much. I was there too. My daughter didnt walk until almost 18 months. Everyone was telling me I was carrying her too much, not letting her get frustrated enough to do it on her own. Well, she just ended up standing up and walking one day all by herself when she was ready.

She also has been on the tail end of the benchmark curves but is now 4 1/2 and doing great! She runs, jumps, climbs all with ease. She has always been slow and cautious but once she accomplishes things on her own she continues to build her confidence and just goes with gusto.

I tried many things to get her to walk but it really was just being patient until she was ready. Someone has to be at the end of the curve just to define that curve. If your doctor isnt worried about other developmental issues, neither should you! There is going to be so many more worries and concerns in the future. Just enjoy the ability to get things done now cause it ends as soon as they walk:)

Good luck

Hi G.,

You've received some great responses so far. I'd just like to add one small tidbit that our pediatrician gave me when my daughter wasn't walking yet at her 15 mos. well visit. The ped said that she had noticed that late walkers tend to be a little more steady than early ones. Plus we had the added bonus of a longer stretch of limited mobility.

In the end, she finally seemed to *want* to walk after spending a day around a friend's son who, in spite of being only a month older than her was literally running in circles around her while she stood still. I guess playing with him gave her some motivation. Interestingly enough, her vocabulary was easily triple his at the time. I guess she just put her energy into words more than steps.

Hi G.,
I was a little bit looking arround in the internet to that and i found a few things i've send you.
I had a friend wich child didnt walk by the age of 15 month neither and then i had other friend wich child walked by the age of 9 month. My son walked by the age between 12-13 month so its very different with every child you dont have no influence on that. They walk when they ready.

Actually, the timing of when a child starts walking doesn't mean very much in terms of the child's later development. Some children who are very early walkers, and who were ahead of their peers in strength and coordination all through infancy, might have a leg up when it comes to later athletic performance. But there are plenty of very athletic kids who walked at the usual time or even a bit late.

Walking early or late has very little to do with a child's development in other areas, such as thinking or language. Early walkers are no smarter than late walkers, as a rule. I think that some children who walk quite early, and who are very engaged in the joy of movement, might put less energy into learning the names of things and thus talk a bit later than some other children. This can sometimes cause concern, but in the end it makes little difference.

There is no evidence that infant walkers help at all. In fact, they probably slow the process down by allowing children to move about without having to develop the needed balance, muscle coordination, and strength. Special orthopedic or support shoes don't help. It's probably easiest for children to walk barefoot, because they can grip slightly with their toes and have a better feel for the terrain.

Relax, it sounds like she is fine developmentally, just not ready to venture out on her own yet. Enjoy this time of limited mobility because it won't last long. My daughter was just shy of 18 months when she finally decided it was time to walk. She is now 20 months and walks like she has been doing it for months. She walks just as well as any other 20 month old, even if they have been walking for 6 more months than she. The more you worry about it and the more you push your daughter the bigger of an issue she is going to think that it is. Enjoy the stage that she is in and let her decide when to walk. And, while I know that it is difficult, try not to let other's babies and opinions bother you. We have 2 family members who both had little girls around the time my daughter was born, one a month before and one a month after. Both of them were walking at a year. It was hard watching them walk when my little girl wasn't even trying, but she did it when she was ready. By the way, I didn't walk until I was 17 months, and I NEVER crawled (I scooted on my butt). I have always been fine, very athletic, so don't worry - it will all work out.

My daughter did not start walking until almost 16 months. If she's standing she's fine! I'm sure she'll walk when she's ready and the nice thing about having a "late" walker is that when they do walker they are a lot smarter and seem to have more less accidents. :)

G.,

Hug her. Love her. Encourage her. Many children don't walk until 15-18 months. Be glad she's still mostly crawling because shortly after learning how to walk she'll be running.

One thing you might try is sitting on the floor, your legs in a V shape and your hubby doing the same opposite you. Then have her walk back and forth between the two of you while y'all cheer her on. My kids loved this game.

Hope this helps,
M.

hello G., don't feel so bad if your daughter not walking yet, i truly understand if your friends are shocked if they hear that your daughter not walking yet,I've been exactly to that kind of situation when my son still not walking. But I dont mind them because just like you i held my son so much and I dont see anything wrong with that. Just keep trying to encourage her, its okay if she'll fell down as long as your there beside her so nothing really serious thing will happen. i did a lot of things at 13 months of my son, i first hold his left hand while walking and everyday i do that until i felt that he's kinda strong enough not to hold me, and i also tried putting the cloth around his arms so he's having a feeeling that his walking on his own...until such time i hold the back of his shirt for him to have the confidence in walking...I bet you I am the most paranoid mom I never taught my son going to walk really good after trying it at first time, Im sure she'll get there...you are not a failure. standing is already a good sign that soon she will be ready to walk... by the way my son is 17 months old now, and he's doing pretty good in walking. Goodluck, I know everything will be fine..

LOL! I am NOT laughing at you--just the visions of my second daughter--who is a very coordinated ex-gymnast at 16 and has no trouble getting herself around by a number of self-propelled methods, including stilt walking and barrel rolling!
But when she was a year old, she wasn't quite walking yet--though she could pull herself up to a stand and walk with us holding her hands. So, for her birthday, I bought her some gold-lame leather moccasins (her Walking Shoes), and a play riding/walking car (purple, wheeled, with a plastic removable handle for her to use while walking behind it). She took off down the sidewalk with that thing like nobody's business, loving looking at her shiny new shoes, too! But no matter how good at it she became, she would NOT try walking without that car! She spent a couple of months doing the same thing you're daughter is--purposely dropping herself to the ground rather than attempting to walk...it was like she was afraid of falling, which from my perspective as an adult who would hate to fall (just gave myself a whopper of a concussion on ice skates last week), was quite reasonable. I figured she just had more forethought than most kids her age--who will go for it without thinking through the potential consequences. Your daughter is just as thoughtful!
What finally worked was that one day, as she was walking along with that little car, I just slid the handle out of the car WHILE she was walking...and she kept right on walking across the floor hanging on tight to that handle!!! When she realized what she had done, she kind of laughed and then got up and did it again, with just the handle. By an hour or so later, the handle (and the car) was never needed again.

It's pretty normal, I think, for a smart child like your own obviously is, to be careful about what feels unstable--as so many have said here, she'll be running circles around you before you know it! Get ready by moving ALL the childproofing up about three more feet!

I don't have advice per se, but I want to offer encouragement. My kids walked at about 12 months, but that is just the average. Most of my friends comment about how well my daughter walks, and then confess their kids didn't walk until 15, 16 or 17 months old. It's more common than you might think. And it has no bearing on future intelligence either. These kids are smart and doing well in school. I wouldn't worry. She'll catch on. You are not a failure.

I would talk to my doctor and follow his advice. Then quit worrying.

Buy her a push toy or two - something sturdy enough that will not topple over - that she can walk behind and push. Or let her push her stroller instead of riding in it. These types of activities will help her build her leg muscles and prevent her from falling while she practices walking.

Enjoy the last few weeks of her crawling. She will soon be running all over and you won't be able to keep up with her!

You are not a failure as a mother and you probably don't carry your baby too much either. Mine didn't walk freely and confidently until she was almost 15 months either. I was a little worried too, all my sister's kids had started walking before they hit 1 year - but all kids develop on their own pace!
If you are truly worried, consult your pediatrician, but the normal range for walking is 12-18 months, so even they will probably just tell you to wait and see, especially since she is working on getting there...
PS, my daughter really enjoyed a little push wagon around that age - it might motivate her to practice more, just don't push her and let her work it out on her own!