Son Not Walking...

Hi A. -

I wouldn't worry about it. Like someone said earlier, we're so concerned these days with hitting the "milestones" on time that we freak out about it if it seems our kids are even a little behind! I know I did that with my own son - I was worried that he didn't walk soon enough, didn't talk soon enough - and then BAM! Suddenly he didn't need my help with anything anymore. (He's only 4).

If he's walking around with his toy, then he *is* pretty much walking. He may be stubborn as you said - or maybe even a little lazy? I only say that because I carried my son ALL THE TIME even when he was old enough to walk, so I think he knew that he didn't need to exert himself. LOL

Good luck. Sounds like a normal boy to me!

There is an article in either Parenting or American Baby that talks about "delayed" development. It says that we are so worried this day in age about our children making the milestones deemed normal that we have a tendency to overreact if they're not right on schedule. While the walking milestone may between 11 and 15 months, it's still normal not to start until 18 months. Don't stress about it unless he reaches 2 without showing interest in walking. In the meantime, if you can just help him pull himself up and put things just out of his reach when he's using a table for support, he might start working on it.

A.,
My youngest didn't walk until he was 15 1/2 months. I was concerned for awhile, because his older brother started walking at 11 months...but he was meeting all of his other milestones and the pediatrician wasn't concerned. He's now 20 months and running everywhere, talking our ears off, and doing things earlier than his older brother did, which goes to show that they all develop at their own pace. Keep using the walking toy with him and just encourage him to walk from that to you (all day long!) He'll get it eventually (and the normal range for walking is something like 10-18 months...so no worries until after 18 months.) Good luck!

Hello-
I dont think you have anything to worry about. My youngest daughter Jade was a late walker, and now she is being tested for early admittance into kindegarden because she is so smart. I was very concerned about her developement when she was a baby just like you. Something that calmed my nerves was what was explained to me and I hope will help you too. I was told that because kids are developing all these different motor skills at once, sometimes a kid will work on one until they have mastered it before they move on to the next. Also they could be more interested in, say, problem solving and dextarity (working with their hands and fingers) more than their gross motor skills which are crawling and walking. It could be that he is more of a thinker and not so much the athletic type. All children are different and as long as your doctor says there is no reason for the delay, I wouldn't worry.(This is from a Mom of Five!Take it from me they are all very different!) Who knows you might just have a computer wizard on your hands! -Y.

It is OK, my friends son didn't really walk til he was almost 18 months and now he is a thriving 3 yr old. All kids go at their own pace. Unless your doctor thinks he may have developmental problems I wouldn't worry about it. He will catch up soon! He might just be a little more laid back and want to take it all in for a while before he starts getting out there!

I wouldn't worry about it. If he's walking behind that toy, then he's able to walk...not like something's wrong physically. He just has his own timing, and will walk on his own when he's ready. My son made a gradual transition from all crawling, to some supported walking, to "independent" walking, and still crawled some during all that. Every once in a while, he will still crawl a little bit, for no apparent reason. They have their own time, and their own motivations.

I heard not too long ago that using a exersaucer or walker thing (that they sit in) for extended periods of time can lead to delayed walking. Because they do not have to learn to balance themselves so they get confused when they are without it and trying to walk. So if you have one try to not use it. They suggest play pens or high chairs for contained play time.
Has your son had a lot of ear infections? Maybe he is unbalanced in his inner ear?
OR he's just not ready. I've met a few women whos children didn't walk until they were nearly two and they weren't 'slow' by any means. Just takes some babies longer. Whenever I have a concern I call my Doctors direct line and he gets back to me on whether I should be concerned or not. If you have an opportunity to do that, see what he says. You don't want to have to walk around for another month obsessing if you don't have to!! Good luck!

my friends daughter was that way, and she constantly was worried since my son was the same age and walked at 13 months. but her daughter finally around 17 or 18 months got bored with scooting on her butt and started walking. she would hold onto fingers and walk but not on her own. so just be patient. as long as his legs are ok, and the doc says hes ok, hes ok. just have him walk holding your fingers, or do what i did and put him a couple feet in front of you and coax him into walking to you. took my son a while to get that, but i did it for probably a month and he caught on. they all like to take their own sweet time about some things lol.

I had the same problem and was concerned also. Don't look at the other children focus on your son. YOu should know him. At least he is using his muscles. Maybe he's just not confident at the moment and will try later on. Encourage him to hold your hands or fingers and walk forward. Your boyfriend and you should be able to encourage him to walk to you both. Make sure you are at his level. Right now though a lot of the comments you have received are correct. CHildren take their time and will do things on their own especially when they're good and ready. I wouldn't be too concerned or anything.

Two suggestions, first get his ears check for hearing, hearing effects balance problems. But remember children all have there own time line for doing things, mu daughter did not walk until she was 17 months old. One thing that affects when they do things is by how much time they are put down on the floor to figure things out. I would not be to worried just work with him alot make a big deal on encoraging him when he is doing it, clapping chearing etc, babies want to please us and make us happy so the more you encorage and respond to there efforts the more they will preform. Good Luck!!

A.,
My daughter, too, was a later walker. Right around 16 months. I was worried at first. My daughter is very stubborn and only does something when SHE wants to. She's been very social from the beginning and likes to talk a lot. When I talked to our doctor he said all kids develop at their own pace and since she was somewhat socially advanced that we shouldn't expect her to excel at everything right away. She was also a late crawler, she didn't crawl until her first birthday. Before that, she just rolled anywhere she wanted to go. He stands up when he pushes his little walker toy, so I'm sure there is nothing physically keeping him from walking. We bought our daughter the little push cart thing and within a month she was walking. I hope this eases your worry. Let us know when he decides to take those steps!

Hi A.,
My son was the same way at that age, I was very concerned.. however he walked when he was good and ready.. 19 months, can you believe it? Every child is different, he will walk when its time for him. Try not to be concerned. I remember posting on here the same exact issue so I know how you feel. :) We used the stand up push toys also, and also encouraged him to walk freely between his father and myself, and made a big deal about it, clapping and hooray!!! I think my son just walked as soon as he felt stable and comfortable on his own.
K.