My son is 15 1/2 months and not walking. He cruises along objects really well and walks when he holds my hand. Yesterday at his 15 month appointment, the doctor said if hae was not walking in a month, he wanted to do xrays of my son's legs and hips. I know my son can walk, but he prefers to crawl. I really do not want to have to get him xrays. I have been trying to practice walking with him whenever we have the chance. Any suggestions? Are Xrays necessary at 16 months if he isn't walking? I have heard a lot of kids walk at 18 months or even later.
My son didn't walk until 19 mos. The doctor never suggested xrays or anything of the sort. I would question your doctor on why xrays are necessary - maybe there is an underlying reason which was not shared. If there is no underlying reason, and you feel everything is ok, I would personally just wait it out.
I agree with asking your doc why--lots of questions. When my older girl was walking before a year but one day she fell on her butt and decided that's it. She didn't want to do it again until about 13 months or so and that was because she saw her sister walking. My son didn't walk with out us or something to hold onto until maybe 15 or 16 months.
If he cruises and walks holding your hands, I'm not sure what your doc would be looking for with the x-rays except possibly hip dysplasia? But he should have been checking for that starting as a newborn... and anyway, your son probably would have trouble cruising if he had that problem.
I suggest that if your son isn't walking in a month you ask some detailed questions about what the doc is looking for with the x-rays, what diagnostic alternatives there are, what the risk to your son is (as far as dose of radiation), whether waiting another month would be harmful in any way, etc. Is there an early-intervention physical therapist that might help? This will help you decide whether there is a true need to do the x-rays, should they be necessary. Remember, you don't HAVE to consent to anything - just get the information so you can make a good decision.
Yes, some kids don't walk until 18 months, but 15 months is the late side of normal. You're right though - some kids are just so happy with crawling that they don't have much of a drive to walk. If you think this is the case with your guy, just do what you can to encourage him - he'll figure it out soon enough.
I would hold off on the x-ray. I also think that is a little extreme for being only 15 montIhs old. I know a 15 month and 16 month old that are not walking either... they are doing the same thing, cruising. I'm sure he will walk soon. I would go with your first instinct on wanting to wait. =)
My daughter didn't start walking until 17 months and our doctor never suggested x-rays. To me that sounds extreme, unless there are other signs your doctor saw. If you don't want x-rays, don't get them. You are the decision maker regarding your son's care, especially when he's still within the normal range. If the doctor can't provide a satisfactory answer, I'd say wait a couple months and see what happens.
My daughter broke her leg at 13 mos and we went to see an orthopedic surgeon at Rush. We asked about walking (since my daughter was not walking yet) and she said that she doesn't get concerned at all until the child is 18 months.
