Won't Crawl or Walk

Hi A.
My daughter was premature and we were shocked when she was walking by 10 months. She only started walking and took her first steps cause of my sister-in-laws dog, she loved the dog, maybe if you have a dog, or even a neighbor has one that wouldn't mind, you could see the dog or I guess any animal that your daughter may want to try and catch the animal. One thing Kaylee would do in the house was monkey crawl on her hands and feet on the hard floors, I don't know of you have hard floors but if you do I might suggest getting some rugs for the cushion on the little knees.

Like the others said all kiddos are different. There are three toddlers at church, mine the middle kid, and the youngest recently started walking but is still wobbly. Just give her some time and some different motivation maybe.

Good Luck J.

This does not sound good. Your daughter should be crawling and/or near walking by now. What does her doctor say about this? For free service, call Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and they will come out to your house and assess her and provide therapy for her up until she is 3 years of age as needed. Hope this helps.

Have you had her ears checked? Sometimes an inner ear infection can be keeping her off balance. You may not notice it because babies do not always run fever or fuss.
Does she babble yet?

Hi!! I just wanted to touch on what one mom said...you shouldn't have her on your hip all the time. My little girl is now 7 months, but she too used to cry and fuss when I would put her on her belly. It's just something that she's gonna have to go through. My little girl, when she would get mad enough it would actually motivate her to progress. Anyway, try taking some time and get on the floor with her. She obviously likes being with you, so you both get on the floor. Get a few toys and play. Try positioning her from belly to her hands and knees. It may sound silly, but you crawl around in front of her when she is on the floor. I noticed that when my little girl was around other children that were crawling, she paid very close attention to what they were doing. She may cry but you can't give up!! She's gonna get her strength to crawl from playing on the floor.
I wish you the BEST of luck!!

A.,
I wish I could help. But you know some babies are slower than others. My son is now 10 months and he has barely learned that he can pick himself up on his knees. He tries to "rock", but hasn't gotten it just yet. As far as putting her on belly, try putting her down on her back first and let her roll over on her own. Sometimes my son would get mad if I put him on his belly. He liked to roll over himself. Just a thought. I hope it helps.

I saw you were in Louisiana, and looked up what their early childhood intervention program is. This is the website: https://www.laeikids.com/

Not saying that she has developmental delays, all children are different I have seen some that didn't walk till over 15 months, my 8 month old has started taking a few steps and I am kind of wishing she wasn't, but usually the programs like that will help with ways to get her to move more and can offer ideas. I know most of the time you can get them for next to nothing cost wise. Hope that it helps if anything it is worth looking at. If you are really worried try talking to your pediatrician, they might can offer a few ideas.

Hope the website at least offers some info and help.

I live in Baton Rouge, and there is a program my daughter's Pediatric Neurologist told us about called Early Steps. They come to you (your child), so you can keep her in her own environment. We didn't end up using this service, but depending on your income, it could be free or a minimal charge. Here is the website:

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=257

And, by the way, I'm still waiting on my 9 month old to crawl as well. She does take a few steps holding my fingers, though. And, she didn't use her jumper before I started making her bounce/jump up on my leg. Now she loves to jump and she cruises around in her walker.

Hey A.-

It sounds as though you may have some other "issues" than her just not crawling or walking. Her not walking is fine. My daughter actually did not walk until she was about 15 months old...perfectly normal. I want to say that she started crawling about 11 months..and cruising around furniture about 12 months. I know its hard as a parent to accept the fact that "she is not there yet"...but it's OK. She will pick it up quickly. To be honest, My daughter didn't walk at 15 months, she RAN!! It was like she was walking for months!

However, her on your hip is not the best thing in the world. Her wanting to be held and carried is not going to help her walk. You need to put her down. I started my daughter in a playpen..that's how she started to pull herself up. Throw a couple of toys in it...not TOO many because you want to leave room for walking (the whole purpose). I had a hard time because grandma would constantly have her on her hip...it made me very upset. I told my mom to leave her down..she was not helping her. So what if she cries (may sound mean), she will get over it. Your know your child is not in any physical pain, she just wants her way. Her crying is showing frustration...perfectly normal--JUST DON'T GIVE IN!!

Another great tool would be having her around kids her own age. I know you said that you were a stay at home mom. Not sure if you do anything with other younger children or moms, but maybe her being with her own age, she will pick up the kids walking. Believe me, there is such a thing as PEER PREASURE even at that very young impressionable age!! I see it with my daughter pottying now!!

Hope this help...

Her not walking yet isnt a big deal but her not crawling is. My friends oldest didnt want to crawl because my frined had hardwood floors and simply didnt put her on the floor. She didnt want to walk so she did what I suggested and bought mer rugs and then she was able to play on the floor and start crawling. A baby needs to go thru all the stages to develop right. I have a cousin who walked before he crawled and he was never coordinated to do sports unlike his brothers who are younger but a straight A student. I have a nephew that didnt crawl but would scoot like he was in combat or something, and when he started walking he started crawling correctly. He grew up really athletic. you need to speak to her Dr about this and or take the advise the others gave you and call that org. over to evaluate. It's important that he learns to be happy and content playing on the floor. Down on the floor playing with your baby is where they learn and develop so much. Good bless and good luck.

A., be patient. Your daughter will start crawling and walking when she's ready. Between now and then, you can sit across from her and roll a ball back a forth. After a few minutes, roll it out of her way and see if she would want to go after the ball. Also, taking her to meet with other kids about the same age or older might help as well.

My daughter who is now 11 1/2 month old, didn't roll until after she started crawling and in no time she started standing up. Every baby is different so don't worry... :)