16 1/2 Month Old Not Walking

My best friend's little girl didn't walk until 18 or maybe even 19 months. Seriously, not even a few steps and falling down. She was just perfectly happy scooting around on her little butt or crawling. But then she did eventually walk and is now a very active, totally normal toddler. It's hard to stop comparing your children to each other, but really every kid IS different. I think your daughter is probably just fine, but if you're really concerned and there are other red flags (she won't carry weight on her legs, which obviously isn't happening since you say she CAN walk short distances or if walking seems painful to her, etc), you could go see her doc and get a referral to a pediatric neurologist. But, really, chances are she's just fine. Once she starts running around with her sister, you'll miss those days when she was immobile!

Well I know all kids are different but my sister's first son didn't walk until he was just shy of 18 months. She was really worried about him but her doctor told her that they don't consider anything to be a problem until they have passed the 18 month mark and still aren't walking or cruising the furniture. Her doc just said some babies take their time and just don't rush into walking. Her son was even only army crawling at 12 months so he was just super slow at it all. But now he is almost 5 and is totally normal and smart. No issues with anything. So if you are worried then talk about it with your doc but I bet she is just fine.

Talk to the doc if you have questions, but I was told any time before 18 mo. is normal. I would encourage her to walk, but not worry overmuch. My DD didn't walk til about 15 mo. and did a lot of falling over for a while. Your child IS walking, just not far.

My daughter didn't walk until she was 17 months. I am sure I felt just the same way you are feeling right now. I even posted a few posts on here (feel free to look back at what people said). She is now 21 months old and you would never know she didn't walk until she was 17 months - and does it even matter now? Nope! But I understand your concern. One day she will just take off and be walking further on her own. If it's a concern you can't seem to get past, or goes on too long, talk to her Dr about it.

Best of luck to you! :)

I have 2 daughters and neither one of them walked until they were 17 months old. It made me so upset that I got involved with Early Childhood Intervention through my county. They gave me some great tips on how to exercise those muscles and get them up and walking. They also gave me advice on how children tyically operate in this area. They told me that if child has late motor skills, their cognitive and speech development is advanced. This proved correct for both of my children. My girls were speaking in sentences before they were 2 but they didn't walk well until they were almost 2. Most children are ahead in their motor and behind in their cognitive and speech so work on all of the development and don't worry...they will walk when THEY are ready. Good luck.

R.
www.legitworkathomebiz.com

My oldest didn't walk until she was 15 months old and that was just her taking her first step. She did not get the hang of it until about 15 1/2 months. All her little friends that were younger than her were already walking and some running. Unless your pediatrician has shown concern, she will do it. Just give her time.

I have three boys my first talked at 9 months but didn't walk till 18 months, my second had words at 12 months and walked around 12 months,,, my didn't talk till 24 months and walked at 21 months. now none of them will stop talking or stop running! they are all just different. One Dr told me that sometimes if they develop early in one place they develop slower in another, which was how they explained my oldest, he could easily have a normal conversation at 15 months of age but couldn't walk at all (it used to freak people out how much he could talk) my second was fairly on target for development, and my third, well we were having out house built and had to be in an apartment for 6+ months (from 14-21 months for him) so it was crowded, he didn't need to walk, and there wasn't any room if he wanted to, we walked into the new house the first day (a big home twice the size of the apartment) and he walked clear across the living/dining room and never looked back, and has walked ever since. The Dr was worried about his walking but I just knew it would come when our situation changed (when we moved) ECI (early childhood intervention) is a good resource if you are concerned they can give you an evaluation and help determine a course of action, I was putting off calling them with my third till we got moved in to the new home, so I admit I was a bit lazy about it but my SIL used them with one of her kids and was very happy with their help, as is anyone else I've talked to. it can't hurt to get their help and guidance, but not walking at 16 1/2 months is not unheard of either, I think the range is up to 18 months for "normal" but my third has no problem walking at this point and he is 5yo and keeps up with the brothers easily.

Our daughter didn't walk until 24 mos. She was seen by PT since 7 mos old and they told us to never worry about it. Everyone is different.

Hey -
My son didn't walk until he was 18 months old. I think your daughter is still in the normal range. I think 18 months is the key age for any developmental milestones that you have serious concerns about. I would start tracking everything you are concerned about (walking...speech? anything else?) and talk to your pediatrician about it.

Good luck!
L.

It wouldn't hurt to talk to your pediatrician, especially if you are worried. I have three friends with late walkers (past 17 months). One started walking on her own without any help or any subsequent problems. The other two were found to have some physical issues that made it hard for them to walk (superflexible hips with one, and something more complex with the other). Both responded really well to physical therapy, though, and quickly caught up after they started.

my daughter didn't walk until 19 months. We had a neurology work up that said she was just a late walker and we had infants and toddlers come out. Low and behold she walked across the room for the physical therapist. I was floored. My son was around 16 1/2 months. If she can walk short distances I wouldn't worry about it. she probably just needs to build her strength up. The neurologist also suggested that we have an older child around 6-8 yrs old play with her. he said eventually the other child would go off to do activities that required walking and she would want to follow. Sure enough, my nephew was playing with her and then went outside to play ball and she was not happy with the rule that she had to walk outside and agreed to walk with assistance.

Call your local infant and toddler services- at the very least they can give you some tips/suggestions of some things you can do at home to encourage her development. There are absolutely kiddo's that are just "late walkers" or "late talkers"; but doing certain things at home- that are natural and routine based and will be things you may be doing already, will enhance her development and make her/you less frustrated. Also- you mentioned her balance, this is something you can talk to them about- there are reasons why kiddo's might have trouble with balance- from hearing, fluid in the ear, vision, or no reason at all except that they need to develop a bit more. Calling early childhood is free, and can only help! And it will most likely help you feel better that your daughter is just doing things on her own time.