Walking

You've received a lot of responses so far, but I just wanted to add that my first daughter walked at 13.5 months, my second daughter walked at 16 months, and my youngest daughter is 14.5 months and is not ready to try it (she HAS to hold onto me with BOTH hands or she won't walk, and she won't even stand on her own either). No worries Mom! :)

All babies are different. My little guy could walk too at that age but preferred to crawl for the next couple of months because it was faster. Now he's running and he's 16 months old. Don't worry, he'll get there.
J.

My 3 kids started walking at 12, 13, or 14 months. My middle was the latest and we had no concerns. 12 months is average, so some learn earlier and some learn later. Most docs aren't concerned until at least 16 months or even later. If he is developing on time with everything else, I wouldn't be worried. Keep encouraging him and giving him chances to practice. It will happen before you know it, then you will wonder why you wanted him to walk! :0) Good luck.
S.

My son didn't start walking until 14 months. Same deal as yours, he kept getting sick or whatnot which would throw off his progress. :)

I wouldn't worry about this. 13 months is not too old not to be walking. Obviously some kids walk sooner, but lots walk later. My son was 2 1/2 months premature and he didn't start walking until 17 months! Does he have a push toy to walk around with? I'd encourage him to stand and to walk holding on to your hands, but I wouldn't start to worry that he isn't walking for another couple of months. He'll be just fine.

B.

My daughter did not start walking until she was almost 15 months old. We started watching a little boy a week younger and he was walking, he would sit on her when she crawlwed near her, and 3 days after we started watching him, she was walking all over. Maybe have your daughter sit on him. ha ha, I am just kidding, but it worked for us. I wish I could tell you something helped, but we just tried to get her to walk a little every day and other times, just let her take it at her own pace.

Good Luck!

my son didn't crawl at all, was walking just right at 9 mos, but my daughter didn't start walking till around 15mos, she had no interest in it, she would climb on everything, even stand there for a long time, every now and then take a step, but no real interest. Then literally one day she just took off and i didn't even realize it until she was 20 feet away.... kids all have their own schedules =)

Definitely don't sweat it.. My first son didn't walk until he was 15 months old (he would stand and us furniture from about 10 months, but he really didn't get up and walk across a room until 15 months.

My other son was 13 months when he started walking. Each child is individual and I say, the longer they are on the ground the less stress you have since you can still catch him. Once he walks, watch out, he may start climbing at the same time.

good luck

Ive been in your situation too. My daughter, who is now 7 years old, didnt walk until 15 months old. I dont know many people who walked later than she did. There was no medical reason for it, she just didnt want to walk till later. I think it was just part of her laid back personality.

My son didn't walk until 14 months, and my daughter is 14-1/2 months old right now and still doesn't walk by herself! Each child is different, so I wouldn't sweat it. As long as he is developing normally and moving in a forward direction, he is probably fine. Good luck!

my first son started walking at 14 months...

my 13 month old, just started picking himself in the standing position from the floor without holding onto anything, then drops back down again....so he is getting closer to walking but we have a ways to go....

I have heard it is normal for the boys to be slower in their developments than the girls...maybe this is why...

Hi H.,

Our kids are the same age (my son will turn 1 this month), and I can totally relate since my kids are developing really differently. I obsessed about my daughter's development because she never crawled and walked at 13 1/2 months (which is perfectly w/in normal range); seeing all her little buddies walk at 9-10 months made me anxious. It really shouldn't have been a surprise, though, since I swear she talked at birth-(:-a dozen words before 1, sentences by 15 mos.

My son, on the other hand, was crawling at 7 mos., pulling up by 9, and is happily hanging out in the cruising phase. He is SUPER active and never stops jiggling and moving around. My daughter, on the other hand, sat on her chubby butt and waited for things to happen. (: He says a couple of words but seems to be all action no talk-she was all talk, no action. It's interesting to see how totally different 2 kids from the same family can be.

Now that I've learned to do developmental assessments with kids for work, and have seen the full range of normal development in 00's of kids, I must say...don't worry! Your kids are totally fine. Just enjoy the phase they're at-before long they'll be doing whatever you were anxious for them to do, and the worry will be forgotten.

My son didn't start walking until 14 months and didn't get good at it really until 15 months. Boy's sometimes develop some skills later...as do all kids actually.

I have twins who are now 6 years old. They were very different in their approaches when they first began walking. My daughter became interested very early (six months) but took her time, using furniture and walking along walls until just before their first birthday. My son on the other hand never really tried until after he saw his sister walking and one day about two weeks after their first birthday he got up and ran across the room. I grew up in a family with nine children. I began walking at six months and the rest of my siblings varied in age on up to my brother who took the longest at 16 months. He grew up to be a track star, breaking many cross country and track records at our high school and also in college. So, I do not think there is any reason to be concerned at this point. I do think his ear infection may have had something to do with his backward progression. As an adult I experienced vertigo a couple times after flying. It was an inner ear imbalance that I was able to correct easily but I had trouble standing and walking for a while until it went away. Your son may have had some of these feelings when walking or standing up during the time of his ear infection and maybe now he is not so excited to try again. Just a thought.

Dear H.,
I have three children ages 14, 8 and 5. All of my kids hit those milestones at different ages too. My daughter, our third child, took the longest time to crawl but she did eventually crawl and walk and is a very happy heathy girl. Each child is so diferent and it's our natuaral tendancy to compare them to their older siblings because that's our only experience so far. But, as long as your pediatrician feels he's healthy, enjoy this stage of development and know that it will happen soon! At his age, I'm sure he's on the brink. If he's not walking in another two months, check in with you doctor's office again to make sure there aren't other issues. I know you all will do great!

This was very similar to my experience with my daughter. She was "almost there" as well, then she had a terrible battle with the flu. When she came through it, she didn't seem interested in walking anymore.

My first two children had both walked before they were one, and she made it all the way to 14 months still using crawling as her primary means of motion.

She's 15 months now, and she's walking. I'd say she started really making progress again about two weeks ago. The progress was fast once she was interested in trying again.

My ECFE class talked a lot about development "windows" - I get the feeling she missed her first window because of illness, and I just had to wait around for the next window.

I know how you feel. I have an 18 month old daughter and her pediatrician has been on our case since she was 9 months old that she's not crawling or walking yet. She started crawling at about 14 months and has been progressing steadily since then, but is still not walking. I was very concerned and I admit a little embarassed when my daughter wasn't walking at a year and even yet. Her Dr suggested the program Birth to 3 to evaluate her to make sure she doesn't fall behind. I didn't really care for the idea, but it was no charge and I got to learn exercises I can do with Cloe to help her along. Like I said, she's 18 months old and not walking yet. When she gets sick, it's just nautural to stop doing some stuff and do whatever is most comfortable so I wouldn't worry about that. When Birth to 3 came and evaluated Cloe she did a lot of things for the first time for the physical therapist and she didn't qualify for regular treatment.

I personally wouldn't worry about it, I have stopped pretty much worrying about my daugther. She's pulling herself up and cruising on furniture but just won't let go and go on her own. If you are concerned and would like more information about Birth to 3 let me know or give your Dr a call and they can recommend it. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I wouldn't worry. My son was 16 months when he finally started to walk. He started to crawl at 6 months, I thought he would be walking at least by 9 months.

My doctor also mentioned that it is normal for kids to take up to 18 months - sometimes even longer.

As long as your child is showing progression, I would not worry about it. My daughter didn't start walking until she was 14 1/2 months old. My son is now 13 1/2 months old and is not walking. He is certainly using his muscles and gaining strength (walking with a large toy, walking with you holding him upright...)
Enjoy each phase - good luck!

12 months is the "average" for walking, but 18 months is considered normal. My oldest was walking at 8.5 months, my middle son at 15 months, my youngest just before 12 months - they are all just very different. I wouldn't worry, it sounds like his motor skills are fine- he's crawling, pulling up, climbing, etc...

just saw your question and just to let you know my son is 14 month and still not walking yet. he will stand up and take a few steps but he likes to crawl, i think its cuz he can get there faster. i was told by my doc not to worry till he about 18 months . i also know someone whos baby didnt walk till 15 months. So i wouldnt worry just yet. all babies grow at different times.