Help My Son Will NOT Walk

Keep your head up! Kids do things when they want. If he's walking with your help and you aren't worried about his muscle strength, then just wait. If you don't want him to go through testing then tell the doctor you want to wait until the 18mo. check up. They can only do what you'll allow. Doctors are just trying to rule all of the worst things out, but sometimes it just stresses the parents out. Try putting him in a walker or get one that he can stand and hold onto and push it around the house. That way he can practice on his own and realize he doesn't need your help to walk. Good Luck.

I know you've gotten lots of responses, but I thought I'd send along another note of encouragement! My son (who is now almost 3) didn't start walking until he was almost 17 months old! I think the only reason he started walking then, is because he had been playing with a boy (2 months younger than him!) who was walking. He just all of a sudden started trying it on his own. I know it's hard when it is your first, and you expect that they will walk early, but don't worry!!! Like others have said, he will do it in his own time :) Good luck!!!

Hi T.,

My daughter was 18 months old before she would walk without holding on to anything. At about 14 mos old, our Doc. referred her to physical therapy. This helped to strengthen her muscles, and she was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disfunction, which was holding her back from trying "new" sensory experiences. Knowing this, and how to treat it, helped tremendously. If your insurance won't cover PT, then you can get free services and evaluation through "Early ON", which is governed by the School District. Your Ped. should have the number, if not, contact the ISD in your county. The tests they did were just to evaluate motor skills, etc. If they have real strong concerns, they may suggest x-rays to make sure that everything is ok w/ his hips and legs. Try not to get too worried about it, some kids just need a little extra time to develop the strength and desire to walk on their own. Also, you were right to back off a little, because he can sense your stress, and it may make him more uncomfortable to try it on his own. I hope that this has been of some help to you. Good luck!

S.

Hi T.,
I wouldn't personally worry about it to much. I have a nephew that didn't walk until he was 17 months. He was also tall for his age and just wouldn't walk. Then finally he just let go of the furniture. If he is walking ok holding onto your hand it will be a matter of time before he is walking on his own. Good luck.
Chris

Hi T.,

Maybe trying one of those pushing toys that they can hold on to to keep their balance while walking, or using a walker. That is the only thing that came to mind, maybe you have tried these things I am not sure, if not you can try it and praise him and encourage him to walk over to you while he is using one of them? I would wait on having tests ran, I think that is a little harsh (on the doctors behalf) and "jumping the gun", it's not like he is 2 and cannot walk! If he is fine with all his other skills at this age then I would not even worry, give him time and try different things and maybe one of them he will like and go from there. All babies/kids do things at their own pace, hey he might surprise you and outta know where he will just start doing it!

Best of Luck!!

The way my son started walking was that he would be around his two cousins, whom were 2 and 1 at the time. he was 10 months old and would watch them and get mad that they would walk into him and trip on him when crawling. so one day he got up and hung on to the couch and took his first steps towards them and wanting to play. So it might help to have him around other kids, so he see's them walking, and maybe want to do it to. oh and the jumperoo and walking toys also helped, i was shocked that he started so soon, beleive me i would have liked it betterif he waited a little longer to start walking. Don't worry kids will do it on there own time.

My son (now 3 and fine) did not crawl or roll over until 14 mos and did not start walking until 16 mos. THe dr. keep assuring me he was fine, although I was getting worried. You don't really need to worry until 18 mos. He may just be developing at his own rate.

Hi T.,
I tried like you with my son to get him to walk with the same results....he would just drop to the floor and crawl. I remember clearly the first steps he took. I even had a camera near by ready for the event. I was occupied on the phone, and I happen to glance over to check on him. He was standing up at his toy box, digging around in it. Just then, out of the blue, he took his first steps, on his own, in his own time. It was great, cuz I got a picture of him. He had a pacifier in his mouth, but you can still see the big grin he had underneath. His sister two years later out did him. She waited until I was at work, and missed the whole thing. When your son decides that he's ready, he will walk. Don't rush it....I know it's exciting to see them reach their next milestones....but trust me, they don't stay babies but only a blink of the eye.

P.S. Make sure to have the camera around with batteries at all times! When you look back on the moment it will bring a smile to your face.
Best Wishes,
R.

I don’t think 15 months is that unusual; my nephew didn’t walk on his own until he was almost two. He would walk only if you held his hands; he had very little interest in going at it by himself. Some kids just start later. I would keep trying and giving him reasons to want to go at it himself, but I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure that as soon as he decides to go he’ll go running and you won’t be able to keep up!
Good Luck!
J.

Hi T.,
My son also walked late and just turned two. We tried everything and I didn't think that the was going to walk at all. But when he decided he was ready, he just started doing it. I would recommend that you make sure that he is comfortable and get lots of hugs/appraise when he does do something that you like. That way he understand that he is being accepted by trying new things. Hang in there. My son's doc also wanted to start doing test but he starting walking right after that so she didn't end up doing any. The doc is trying to help, even though it hurts emotionally (it hurt my feelings anyway). I also checked out the development centers in the area. They came out and someone looked him over and saw how he was interacting with us and with toys. THey are going to be sending someone out to the house to show us how we can help him (if any help if needed). Hang in there and good luck. :-)

He will walk when he's ready. My first son walked at 14 1/2 months. My second son walked at 16 1/2 months. My daughter started walking a month ago at 14 months. "Normal" is something like 9-18 months. I wouldn't worry yet.

I didn't start walking until I was 16 months old. Then I just got going on my own! Hope that helps.

My son was 17 months old when he began walking. Our doctor was not concerned at all about the timing. My son has a very large head and I believe the balancing of his body to his head made it more challenging for him. He is healthy and all is well. Are there other things going on with him other than not walking that you doctor feels he needs testing? You might want to get a second opinion.

My youngest started walking after I bought him a walker, you can find them anywhere in the baby section of major stores. it worked great for him, he was walking on his own within a couple of weeks. I think it helps give them confidence, kindof like training wheels. Hope this helps.

I had the same trouble with my daughter. She did not seem interested in walking and only wanted to crawl. I knew she could do it if she just tried, but she refused. She finally started walking at a little over 17 months. She is now 20 months and walking/running everywhere. I think your pediatrician is a little premature in suggesting running tests at such an early age. Some kids just take a little longer. You should start seeing some major progress closer to 18 months. If not by that age, maybe some tests will be in order then. Just keep working with him and it will come!

My neighbor's kid was a somewhat late walker. He was 17 months. His pediatrician said most doctors won't worry until a kid isn't walking at 18 months. He was just a really tall boy. Since your son is tall, it probably has alot to do with balance. In my neighbor's case, her son was hardly ever allowed on the floor or ground to play, either. But, that sounds like it is hardly the case with your family. It sounds like he is getting plenty of chances to move around.

Do you have him wear shoes alot? Most pediatricians are under the belief that it's best to allow a baby to learn to walk without shoes at all. The idea is that it allows the baby to get a feel for how his feet meet the floor, and avoids tripping the baby by the sole catching on something, which could shake his confidence. This seems to make sense to me. I didn't follow that recommendation myself. But, it could help. Also, those hard soled shoes that we've all been told are for kids learning to walk are not good for their feet, either. I'm not sure if any of this might be related to footwear. But, it's worth mentioning. It's best to, when your baby must wear shoes, stick with some sturdy sneakers.

Hi T. -

One of the things that we used to encourage our daughter to walk was something that she could push. It started out being my step stool in the kitchen, and then she found the doll stroller at my mom's and loved it. We found an inexpensive walker toy ($10 at Big Lots) that is just a handle and a base with some shape blocks that you can sort on the base that she also liked to push around.

Hope this helps!

J.

My son just took his first steps on his own at 20 months on his own, not for the lack of us working with him. He started walking behind a walker at 18 months. He has just started getting in and out of a toddler size directors style chair, to a standing position and then walking to Mommy or Daddy and he is 22 months.
Sounds like even the "experts" can't agree about when a kid should be walking because I read somewhere that a lot of kid's don't until they are 2. But there are a lot of people that feel a child should be walking by 1.

We have our son in Early On, which is a therapy type program here in Michigan and is mostly free to the parents. Our son was barely sitting on his own at 7 months and wasn't pulling up so at the pediatricians suggestion we had him enrolled and it has helped. You may want to talk to your pediatrician about the program. It sounds like you are doing what you can, and if it makes you feel any better, kids do develop at different stages. My son is still behind in his large motor skills, mainly because of the walking issue. But he is about 4 months ahead on his large motor skills.
Don't ever even think you are bad parents because your kid is not walking. Some people can make you feel that way, we have had people that have no clue about how hard we have worked with him or how we have him in therapy try and tell us how to parent and how we should be "letting" him walk. I did have one lady calling after me while my husband and I were Trick or Treating with my son in his stroller. She kept asking us how old he was and then was calling out after me if he was walking yet, after being judged by so many because my kid was not walking I was reluctant in my answer of "No" at 17 months. It turned out her son was the same way and she wanted some reassurance that they were not alone and she was just about to enter her son into the Early On program. We told her how good the program was and reassure her that she was not alone and so forth. Sorry this is so long and about the venting, but I hope it has helped you.

We will see you at the track meet in about 14 years when our sons are running. :) Best wishes T.!

I have two daughters...the first walked at 9 months, the 2nd is 12 months and still not walking, but like your son, she is very tall for her age....she's in the 95% percentile. Our pediatrician says the norm is 12-18 months for walking. I wouldnt be too worried.

Hello there,

My daughter didn't walk until 15 months and my BF's baby girl didn't walk until 18 months. I wouldn't worry about it until after 18 months.. You'd be surprised how all of a sudden they'll walk. I would not go through any testing until after 18 months. I honestly think he's fine.. some babies walk later on especially boys.. When my daughter was not walking at 12 months I asked her doc about it and she told its not something to even worry about until after 18 months of age.

As soon as the weather gets alittle nicer take him outside all the time. I think that crawling around outside motivated both of my children to walk.

My son started walking at 8 months all due to a push toy. We bought him a car that had a tall handle on the back (it cost about $20 at meijers), then we stood him behind it and he was walking within two weeks (still very wobbly though). I wouldn't be worried though many babies don't walk until they are older. He will walk when he's ready. I hope this helps and good luck.

T.,

I know it seems like it as a parent, but I don't think that it is a big deal if he can't walk at this age. If he can walk when holding your fingers then I would think every thing is ok. He might just be a late bloomer when it comes to walking. Statistics show that the longer a child crawls the better the left and right side of his brain will work together.

R.

Babies all do things at different rates. I don't know why your doctor would want to run tests on him for this already. They can start walking anywhere from 10-18 months. He has a little time yet to start getting into the groove of things. They will walk when they are ready.. just like potty training.. you can't force them to pee in the toilet, they just have to learn on their own time.

I was also getting antsy about my daughter's walking.. she was still crawling at a year old.. but now she's 14 months and walking everywhere.. she's tall and slender (very petite, also) but she's got GREAT balance. I would say just let him learn.

Hi T.,
My son didn't walk until 15 1/2 months. I know that all kids do things at different times but I was very concerned at 11 months when he wasn't even pulling up. I also knew that not walking at the "normal" time was a sign that something else could be wrong such as autism or other developmental problems. I talked to my doctor and she set up for Earlyon to evaluate him. EarlyOn is a county program that evaluates development in young children. My son was a bit delayed but that was it. It was a great program because they worked with us for a year until he was totally up to speed with his peers. They provided activities for us to do to help him catch up. The best part was they came right to our house. You can call them at 1-800-Earlyon and set something up if you're really concerned. They did tell me that they don't get to concerned about a child until 18 months and still not walking. If nothing else you'll have a trained professional assure you nothing is wrong. Good Luck!