Ot ~ Ds Not Walking!!

[2cutekidz]

My DS is 18 months old. (He'll be 2 on Thanksgiving.) He is not walking yet. He's starting to cruise around on the furniture, and he'll take "marching" steps when you hold his hands. He has no balance. He also was late sitting and crawling! Now part of me is thrilled that I don't have to chase him all over the place - the other part just wishes he'd walk already!!! Anyone else have REALLY late walkers?

 

[NemoMOm]

I have a family friend whom has a grandson that just strted to walk at 1.5 yrs. All children are different and have their on schedule. Hang in there.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you have concerns then you should talk to your ped and see what they say. They might suggest an evaluation. Good luck!

 

[luvtogo12]

Our pediatrician suggested DS see an orthopedic Dr. when he was not walking at 15 months. The Orthopedic told me to get him high top reboks. DS started walking the very next day after getting him the sneakers.

 

[mdsouth]

Try to be patient. I agree with both the other recommendations. Get your child a good pair of shoes that will support his ankles and consider talking with your doctor. Since, your DS is cruising and standing on his own, then it probably is just a matter of time and incentative. He will walk soon! Try putting a neat or interesting toy on the ottoman, end table etc. that is just out of reach from a standing position from the couch. He might just take the few steps when he is not thinking about it.

 

[mommyceratops]

First of all don't worry. But I would talk to your ped. about it.
It will calm your worries.
Also if there is something wrong, the earlier they start exercising his legs the better. My son was devolopmentally delayed. He is 7 now and doing great, but starting him in First Steps was the best thing we did. (My son has multiple problems from birth so I am not saying there is something wrong with your baby or comparing them) Just ask your ped. it can't hurt.

 

[2cutekidz]

First of all don't worry. But I would talk to your ped. about it.
It will calm your worries.
Also if there is something wrong, the earlier they start exercising his legs the better. My son was devolopmentally delayed. He is 7 now and doing great, but starting him in First Steps was the best thing we did. (My son has multiple problems from birth so I am not saying there is something wrong with your baby or comparing them) Just ask your ped. it can't hurt.

At 12 months it wasn't a big deal - Doc. said it will happen in its own time. He is due for an appointment and I will bring it up!! I'm not overly concerned, just frustrated with all the well meant comments like "shouldn't he be walking" or "He's STILL not walking?!" Anyway lazy babies must run in the family - Dneice didn't sit unti 12 months!!

 

[zaza]

I'd say talk to the doctor to ease your mind but don't worry about it. My son didn't start walking until he was almost 18 months old--his first steps took him all the way across the room. He grew up to be a very competitive child (and adult!) and we've always joked that he must have practiced alone in his crib at night so he'd do it perfectly the first time people saw him. He ran cross-country in college, ran marathons--it'll be okay!! We put up with the same crap about him not walking, hearing too much from people with younger children who were walking--you know.

 

[nemonoah]

He will start walking and getting into everything before you know it, so enjoy it now! I know how you feel though my DS will be 2.5 this weekend, and he dosent really talk very well, and it is very frustrating, so hang in there!!

 

[ThreeAngels]

My second son did not walk until he was 18 months old. I had been very concerned about it and our pediatrician just kept saying he WILL walk by the time he's 18 months. He did, but just barely. Off-handed comments from "well-meaning" people can be unnerving and hard to take. Late walkers end up walking just as well as anyone else and soon you'll be wishing you'd never worried about it. Best wishes!

 

[jagafen]

Is he prone to earaches/infections alot? He may be having problems with his vestibular system (all those funny bones in the inner ear). If there's a lot of fluid "trapped" it may be throwing his sense of balance off. Our sitter's son was also a late walker.....walked after 18 months (so don't worry/freak out, just have it checked out). His was an ear issue. He got tubes, and almost immediately, started walking. Also the hightops is another good suggestion. If his ankles are a little unstable the extra supoprt will help. One last thing....try bribery....my son took his first steps at 14 months chasing a goldfish cracker mommy was holding out for him.....shoulda known....to this day (he's 4) he's still stubborn!!!

 

[jennwdw]

Don't worry but be proactive, that's my best advice. I have an almost 7 yr old that has global developmental delays. I've known since he was about 4 months old that he was off developmentally and more so than other kiddos. I pushed my docs hard and they all told me not to worry. Then I met a mom whose kid was involved w/first steps (it may be called something different in your area) anyway I was NOT a crazy mom. He received PT, OT and Speech starting at 6 months old. We still have speech therapy, he had an IEP at school so that he gets the extra help he needs and he does vision therapy. There is nothing "wrong" (I hate that term but I just mean there is no medical diagnosis for him) with my son but he does need extra help to learn skills other kiddos get naturally. You would not know my kiddo has special needs, he's socially very well adapted and athletically pretty talented but he does struggle in some areas, right now it's coming out as learning disabilities at school.

I was told by lots of folks not to worry (friends, family, doctors) but considering the issues we still have I hate to think where we would be without early intervention.

I don't mean to sound alarms but trust yourself. Some kiddos do fine w/out intervention but some do need extra help. Is this his only milestone he's off on? Does he vocalize/talk? Any sensory issues? If it's just one milestone and one issue really probably nothing to worry about. If there are several areas of concern definately follow up with a professional. Be aware pediatricians aren't always the best for this. I learned the hard way. You can look for a "Developmental Pediatrician" or talk to a PT or OT who works with kids specifically.

 

[Darcy03231]

DD didn't walk until she was 2! She did everything late. Dr. said she was fine, don't worry, she'll do it at her own pace. DS, on the other hand, was running by the time he was about 10 mos. I then realized how easy I had it with DD.

 

[belle&beast]

I am a speech therapist and have worked in early intervention in teams with lots of PTs and OTs. 18 months is getting to the high side of the average range, I would definitely discuss this with the pediatrician. My gut instinct is to tell you to get an evaluation because it certainly cannot hurt. Please discuss this with your ped. and see what he/she recommends.

 

[2cutekidz]

DD didn't walk until she was 2! She did everything late. Dr. said she was fine, don't worry, she'll do it at her own pace. DS, on the other hand, was running by the time he was about 10 mos. I then realized how easy I had it with DD.

This sounds like DS. He sat at 9mos., crawled at 11 mos. He isn't talking, but he does vocalize. He has some of the sounds for some words. The "H" sound for hot (or hot dog) "GgG" for dog and momma and dada. I am definately going to bring it up with my ped. though. I don't know if it's related but he's had 2 hernia surgerise too. (One at 6 weeks and the other at 6 months.)

 

[maxtomsmom]

I work in Early Intervention and you had mentioned he was a late sitter and crawler. Crawling isn't really a part of the developmental milestones as is rolling over, sitting up, talking, walking, etc. Have you noticed any other delays? Is he babbling? Can he transfer objects from one hand to another without fumbling? When holding something, does he bring it to his mid-line position (middle of his body)? Does he try to climb by putting one leg in the air (I know you mentioned some balance issues so does he try before falling?) Can he stack blocks?

I ask you all these questions because it could be several things going on. I am not a doctor, but have worked with children from birth - school age for several years and as a special education teacher in the school district for 10 years. If you suspect a problem definitely bring the issues up with your doctor, but most states allow testing done without cost to parents. In New York, early intervention is handled by each county and parents can call without the pediatrician if they suspect a problem.

I am not saying your DS has a problem, couldn't do that just by what you have said. If you think there is a problem most likely it is minor.

It could be:

Fluid in the inner ears (offsets equilibrium causing imbalance) A doctor would have to look and do a tempanogram (Sp?) test. Very harmless and can be done in the ped's office.

Low tone which causes delays. Physical therapy can help if it is found necessary. Many cases they encourage more physical types of play like the playground, gym classes for toddlers, etc.

Maturing on his own terms which simply means he will walk when he is ready to walk. Nothing really wrong with the child. COuld be working on language development or problem solving which take up his time leaving little energy for the physical stuff.


BTW - If your DS is your first child, this is common. Second children do tend to walk a bit earlier. Big incentive to try and keep up with older siblings.

Average age for children to walk is 10 mos - 18 mos. 19 or 20 mos is only slightly behind.

One last thought- your DS might surprise you and not walk but run his first steps!

 

[2cutekidz]

I work in Early Intervention and you had mentioned he was a late sitter and crawler. Crawling isn't really a part of the developmental milestones as is rolling over, sitting up, talking, walking, etc. Have you noticed any other delays? Is he babbling? Can he transfer objects from one hand to another without fumbling? When holding something, does he bring it to his mid-line position (middle of his body)? Does he try to climb by putting one leg in the air (I know you mentioned some balance issues so does he try before falling?) Can he stack blocks?

Let's see... Yes he's babbling even says a few words, he also points & waves to get what he wants! Transfers objects & stacks very well - knocks them over even better !! Hmmmm...does he try to climb. Let's see, we got a new printer about a month ago and we put the box on the floor when we got it home. He had no problem climbing up on it. He was quite proud of himself sitting there on that box!! And believe it or not he likes to color with his big sister. I bring this up because he actually holds the crayon the right way!!! (Between his first finger and thumb, not in his fist.)
He's also pulling himself up and he is starting to cruise around the furniture.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Then it sounds like he will walk when he feels ready. Don't sweat it too much, keep an eye out see if he is progressing and take it from there. I actually use to push my second one down when he tried to walk because I knew what that meant (Mean mommy, mean mommy Didn't work, he still learned to walk and hasn't stopped yet. Your kiddo will be the same. Good luck.

 

[Tikicampers]

He will start walking and getting into everything before you know it, so enjoy it now! I know how you feel though my DS will be 2.5 this weekend, and he dosent really talk very well, and it is very frustrating, so hang in there!!

DS wasn't really talking at that age either. We were so worried! Then suddenly, he took off. He now talks more than any kid we know. Even his preschool teacher mentioned how advanced he is verbally. You just never know what's going to happen with kids.

 

[barkley]

dd was late on most of the physical milestones except one-i kept telling her ped. she could roll over by 2 weeks of age and got the so i asked the ped. to wait a few minutes and just watch-sure enough dd got angry being on her stomach and rolled over.

when she was'nt walking by 18 months and had never mastered a traditional crawl (she did more of a 'commando style'-used her arms) ped sent her for evaluation at children's hospital. orthopedist examines, xrays...then he says he wants to confer with the head of the department head of the department comes in and examines dd, looks at xrays and then turns to me and says 'by any chance are you very limber?'-i replied 'yes' and demonstrated how i can turn my leg backwards so one foot faces behind me, he then turns to other doctor and says 'this is what they mean when they refer to someone as double jointed-she's inherited it from her mother'. in essence she was so limber when she would try to walk she would go into the splits. doctor said to just let her find her own way for the time being.

about a week later daycare got one of those little tykes grocery carts and dd pulled herself up and began walking like a pro. within a few weeks she abandoned the cart and was walk like she'd been doing it for months.

have it checked out for peace of mind-but it may be that he just needs to find his own way.

i did notice you said he has an older sib-any chance she gets him what he wants or plays such that he does'nt have an incentive to walk yet?