Hi,
My daughter is 17 1/2 months old (born on Valentine's Day 2007) and refuses to walk. She gets around quicker by crawling. She is able to walk distances and when she does everyone cheers. We have a bunch of different toys to help her walk but she still refuses. She's been climbing out of her walker since she was about 11 mo. so that's not an option. Luckily she's little ~ she's in the 5% so she doesn't look as old as she is. Any suggestions?
Thank you for all of your advice! It sounds like some of you have the same experiences with a stubborn little one! I'm not as worried now that there are others that have gone through times with late walkers. I know she'll be up and running soon enough.
H.
My daughter walked late too. It was hard for me to accept because her older brother walked so early (before 12 months.) Her dad started taking my exercise ball (a big huge playground ball from Walmart is the same thing and cheaper)and walking her around the yard. He would pull it towards him, and she would walk towards him pushing the ball. The huge ball was so fun for her that she started walking within a week or two.
Hi H.~ If your little one has no health issues she will walk when she's ready (kinda like potty training) She probable likes the sucurity of being close to the ground. Again unless there is a health issue *which I'm sure you've already checked into* let her crawl... one day you'll be chasing her and wondering "did this little one ever crawl?" :)!
H., when you explained how it was fortunate your toddler looked younger than she really was, were you implying that it makes it easier to avoid unwanted criticism/advice from others? I really want to help mothers enable themselves to let these comments bounce off and return to those who hurl such comments at us who are trying our best.
You also made a point to explain how your sweetie loves her sitter, as if to protect yourself from some stay-at-homers (which I am BTW) who may lash at you for *gasp* working. I volunteer at my daughter's school, and the teachers there are truly the most dedicated people-and moms-I know!
OK, back to topic...my nephew, exactly one month older than your girl, was about the same as walking. A little guy, bigger head, so maybe balance was an issue. But he's been walking for a month now, and loves to GO GO GO!
I'm 33, too, and have been enjoying motherhood for nearly 10yrs now especially when I say no to guilt and yes to God.
K., OH
Hmmm...sounds like she's being stubborn! Our daughter's are exactly the same age! Lately my darling munchkin has reverted back to crawling at times. I'm not sure why though. Maybe when she starts crawling, stand her on her feet and tell her to walk? I don't know other than that.
Does your little on have proper shoes? Yes, some ppl say no shoes needed, while others say shoes help. My daughter didn't walk AT ALL until about two days after we bought her her first pair of StrideRites. My niece however, couldn't walk. My sister borrowed my walker that is designed to help little one's learn to walk. Also, how much is she carried and held? That might make a difference if she isn't carried every where. And, being 17.5 months old and not walking DOES NOT mean that there is anything wrong with your baby. In my mother of four opinion...ENJOY her not walking. As mom's we generaly can't wait till they walk and talk; then they start running from us at the store and sassing back and we go WAIT Why did I want you to be able to walk and talk?!?!
It's not unusual for kids to do what your daughter is doing. If she knows how to walk, but just chooses not to do so, then I wouldn't worry about it. If she didn't know how to walk or tries and can't walk, then I would be a little worried. But it sounds like she can do it, she just knows she can move faster by crwaling. She will walk more as she gets older and sees that she can get around just as quickly, if not quicker, as she can by crawling. I would just wait it out unless it becomes a big problem. And keep reinforcing her walking by cheering her on and giving her praise. Praising a child can be the most effective way of getting them to do soemthing. They thrive on praise, especially from their parents. Good luck!!
I have 2 daughters:
#1 "talked fast" and "walked slow" - meaning she started talking sooner than later, and knew she could crawl faster than she could walk. Even though she took her first steps at about 13-14 months, she still crawled for a long time...and would cruise around the coffee table a lot.
#2 - once she started walking at about 12 months, she never looked back. She's been a walking fool ever since. Now, she isn't much of a talker though. Don't know that she's had much need to - we knew the cues for a hungry baby or gassy baby and never really prompted her.
The pediatrician said that kids will do typically what ours have done -walk slow and talk fast, or walk fast and talk slow.
Sounds like she is being stubborn and will walk when she's good and ready.
Good luck!
She's got it figured out. She knows that she can get where she wants to go by crawling. But, I would be more concerned if at this age she didn't know HOW to walk. Not that she doesn't want to.
