20 Month Has Stopped Walking

Does she act like she is having any pain at all in her back, hips, legs or feet? Will she walk when you hold her hands? My guess is that this is just a reaction to your being gone to school and she has found that not walking is a great way to get attention. I would not make too big a deal out of it, definitely don't discuss it when she is within earshot. ( children understand a lot more than we give them credit for!!! Mention it to your pediatrician the next time you are in but my guess is that this is just a stage that will pass.

She may be regressing in an attempt to keep you closer, and I would hesitate to think of this as conscious manipulation. She's just trying to get her needs met, and little kids aren't noted for choosing the very best strategies. Try being as neutral as possible about her crawling, scooting, and clinging, and make positive (but not over-the-top) observations about the more mature things she does.

Also, try getting down on the floor with her for play periods, doing funny motions for her to imitate, and imitating hers in return. Include occasional duck-walking, rising and hopping, brief twirling while on the butt and standing. Keep it light and fun, with no obvious motives to get her to grow up. If she's able to copy you, then she may have a huge emotional issue but no physical fallout. If she can't imitate your movements, then a visit to her pediatrician might best happen sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

Any time a child has lost a skill that they once had it is time to see the pediatrician imedeatly. Since it is a gross motor skill, all the physical impairments should be rulled out, and she should have a full developmental evaluation by a developmental pediatrician if no physical cause can be found for the skill loss. I am concerned that you jumped to "syndrome" over just not walking, what else is going on?

M.

To rule out anything developmental or physical, you can request and early intervention screening. They come to your home and it's free. You would contact your local Family and Child Connections Office/Early Intervention Office for your area. You can find this agency by going onto IDHS website and loading early intervention. www.dhs.state.il.us

I would suggest calling your pediatrician right away-- hopefully it will turn out to be nothing but better safe than sorry. Take care.

Unless she happens to be in pain it sounds like what I went through with my younger son. In fact I remember the daycare yelling at me because he wouldn't walk on field trips! And people are all too willing to help you feel guilty even if you are going to school to further your family along one day. There are the guilt trippers who tell you to not go to school, the guilt trippers that tell you to not hold her a lot and the guilt trippers who would be working on you if you didn't hold her a lot. Mama cannot win. Just enjoy your baby. They grow up. And if you really think something is wrong of course go to the doctor earlier.

I have no personal experience or expertise. I would have to go with what Martha said. My instinct tells me that when a skill is lost I would want an answer and as soon as possible. Since your child can not effectively communicate you would want to rule out an injury. If it is not so simple I would want to rule out developmental issues. If it is a developmental concern then early intervention is key to overcoming and sooner reduces long term effects. I sincerely hope that it is because of your extra time away but as always it's is better to be certain. Best wishes.