12 Months Old on the 3Rd of This Month and Not Walking.

Updated on February 10, 2011
A.C. asks from Chesapeake, VA
51 answers

Hello everyone!!! Just wanted to see if anyone else out there has had this with any of their kids...My son will be 12 months on 2/3, and he dosn't stand on his own yet, cruise while holding onto furniture, or walk yet. He just started crawling last month, and is just starting to try and pull himself up, but seems afraid of falling. He can go all over the house in a walker, so I know his legs are strong enough... Should I be worried? My two older children both girls walked before their first birthdays. I have heard that boys are slower with these things than girls. He can say mama, dada, bye bye, hi, and no no.Anyone else had this happen?? Should I worry??

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think you should be worried.

My oldest was not walking at his first birthday. I think I met all his needs and so he had no reason to work very hard. LOL! He began by 14 months.

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Please don't worry. One of mine walked at 14 months, the other at 16 months. I know someone whose son didn't walk until he was 2.

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

my daughter was 19 months and my son was 16 months. the norm is any where from 9 months to 16 months. Don't worry. He is probably concentrating on learning a different skill like talking.

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

My daughter walked at 16 months, my son at 14. Neither showed any interest before that. Don't worry, your son will be fine : )

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J.C.

answers from Lincoln on

4 of my boys didn't walk until 15 months. He's perfectly normal. Nothing at all to worry about!
Happy Birthday to your little angel!

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

Definitely NOT something to worry about :)

The walker *might* be slowing his progress a bit though. Try to encourage standing/cruising/pulling up without the use of the walker. He may be too secure in there and not want to try on his own. But really, unless he's still not walking/cruising by around 18 months I wouldn't worry.

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M.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

Restrict the walker. But, kids all walk at different times. Some crawl, cruise, then walk. Some crawl, skip cruising, and go straight to toddling around. Some don't crawl, but sit, then go to standing and cruising. It varies a lot. I walked early, my daughter walked at 9 months, and I recall my sister did too. My brother was a slug who didn't even crawl properly until he was well over a year and a half old (and my siblings are twins too!). My daughter has toddler friends who walked all at different times, boys and girls.

Sometimes it has to do with confidence. If a baby CAN do something, they will. Exactly when they're ready to, and not a moment sooner.

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S.H.

answers from Spokane on

My oldest son was 11 months when he started walking and my youngest son didn't even take his first steps until he was 14 months. No worries :) he'll walk when he's ready then look out cuz he'll never stop!!!

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, boys are slower at walking, potty training, etc. than girls. I have 3 boys and they all didn't walk until they were 15 months. Also, since your son has two older siblings, he doesn't need to walk! He has his sisters to get him things! You have nothing to worry about.

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Consider yourself fortunate! He will in due time. Very few babies are actually walking before 14 months.

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J.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son didn't walk until he was 14 months. You might see him progress really quickly from crawling to walking. If he's talking alot he's likely just developing more in that area first. I really wouldn't be worried at this point. Once he's walking you're going to wonder what you were ever worried about so just enjoy this time!

One thing I would say is that I would ditch the walker. If he's come to depend on it, and he is feeling insecure doing the same without it, that's going to inhibit his risk taking since he knows he can accomplish his goals by being in the walker--why risk falling?

I'm with some of the other moms suggestions in getting the push walker or a ride-on type thing will encourage him.

Really, don't worry. He'll be fine!

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A.S.

answers from Spokane on

I would try restricting use of the walker. I have seen studies that show it's not good for the hips and the muscles don't develop properly in the areas needed that support walking.

That being said though, I wouldn't worry too much yet. Each child develops on their own. My youngest daughter did everything late and didn't walk until around 14 months. I had brought it up with her doc, but she wasn't too concerned. She told me that if Kitty wasn't walking by 16 months, to bring her in for an eval. But we never had to do that.

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K.B.

answers from Washington DC on

No worries! I used to think that ALL babies started walking by their first birthday since I walked on my 1st birthday and my older two boys started walking before their first birthday.

When my triplets came along, they were two months early but the doctors tracked them as if they were born on their due date. So when they were 12 months, the doc looked at them as if they were 10 months old. If they hit milestones within that 2 month span then they were considered on track.

But remember, all babies progress very differently and there's no golden rule when milestones should be hit. There IS a range. Some are earlier in the range, some later. I found that out with the triplets, two boys and one girl. Three very different babies from each other and from their older brothers.

When my trio turned 12 months old I started freaking out because they weren't walking. The doc reminded me that technically they're 10 months and shouldn't be walking yet. So when they turned 14 months and I was freaking out he told me that statistically most children do not start walking until about age 14 months. I did not know this. My trio started walking between 14 & 14.5 months.

One was our "lazy boy". He had no interest in sitting up, crawling or walking with any urgency. The doc reminded me that all children progress at their own pace. Some skip crawling and cruising along furniture and will do things their own way, when they're ready.

Some children are fearful and will take a bit longer until their confidence is gained. I suggest taking away the walker as he may have become too dependent on it. If he's forced to get moving on his own he will learn. He will get frustrated but he will finally take off before you realize it. Then you'll wonder why you even worried when he's into everything, lol.

I wouldn't stress it at all. Just take away his crutch with the walker and let him go!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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S.Z.

answers from Reno on

Textbook "average" for walking is 15 months. Everyone will tell you that "NO ONE" is that old when they start to walk, but ignore it.

My 4 kids were between 15 and 18 months (almost 19 months) when they started walking. My youngest is now 12, and they've never had any issues. My sisters in law were convinced that they'd have back problems, hip problems, curved spines, any number of awful things, but it didn't happen. If your dr says everything's fine, just relax! :)

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S.F.

answers from Reno on

My two sons didn't start walking until 15 months or after. At 13 and 17, I can tell you they turned out just fine despite walking late. Enjoy the fact that he's not yet mobile because when he figures it out...he'll skip walking and jump to running!

:)

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K.A.

answers from Washington DC on

I think it's a sign of the child's personality as well. So unique to each one. Your son sounds very careful. He may always be that way. My first dd didn't walk until 14-15 months. She is 5.5 now and still very careful. My second dd walked before she was 1. She is a little over 2 now and much more of a fireball than dd1 ever was. Rejoice in their individuality. There's nothing to worry about! Good luck!

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T.W.

answers from Denver on

Don't worry! I have 4 and one walked at 9 months, one at 11 months and one at 15 months, and the baby is yet to be seen. They all do different things at different times. For example, my oldest could say full sentences by 9 months old, my second boy didn't say a word until 2. My daughter taught herself the alphabet but her older brother won't even look at letters but totally gets numbers and math. You just never know. The biggest thing is to stay in communication with your doc. If he/she is not worried, you shouldn't worry.

Good luck!

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C.A.

answers from Atlanta on

Consider yourself blessed-lol! My twins started to walk at 10 and 11 months but I myself decided not to take the plunge until I was 18 months old according to my mom. I consider myself pretty normal so don't worry-in due time he will take off.

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W.J.

answers from Roanoke on

I think that most likely your son is fine, but I do want to suggest you talk to your doctor. I don't think it's a big deal at all that your son isn't walking yet, but you mention he's not standing on his own either. If you mean he's not standing without support then I wouldn't be worried, but if you mean he's not able to stand while holding on to something (like a couch, chair, your fingers, etc) then you may want to talk to your doctor about it. I mention this only because my daughter is 13 months and has just been diagnosed with low muscle tone. She will be fine in the long run, but needs physical therapy to help her build up her muscles in order to be able to pull up, cruise, and walk. She wasn't able to go from a laying position to sitting until she was 11 months and two weeks old and didn't crawl until close to her first birthday. She also didn't bear weight on her legs until after she was one. She was capable of doing it in an exersaucer or jumper, but not when I was holding her up in front of me. Your son is most likely fine, but I just wanted to offer you that advice. I will also say that the whole time my daughter was not progressing in her motor skills I knew that something was going on more than just her being cautious so don't ignore your mom instincts if you feel like something is going on.

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I personally know a lot of kids that didn't walk till 14 or 15 mos.
I wouldn't worry.

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

My baby didn't walk until he was 13 1/2 months. Like you, it bothered me, but I still knew he was within a normal range. In my circle, SEVERAL of us had baby boys in 2009, and all of the others were walking by their first birthdays. This made it worse for me. In the end, my son is just fine. He's 17 months, and RUNS everywhere, wearing me out! Lol.

Now, onto potty training. Lord help me... :-(

FYI- you may want to do away with a sit-in walker, and get a push walker with which he'll actually stand fully and use all parts of his leg.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My 3rd was a late walker and talker. She didn't try until after she was a year. I kept running her to the pediatrician, educational specialists, speech specialists, you name it.
She just didn't want to. Her older sister would get everything for her and speak for her. It was 18 onths before she took her first step, it was 2 1/2 years before she spoke to us without screaching.
If the doctor isn't worried then just .And he's a boy, they don;t ever walk, they RUN!!!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I wouldn't worry too much. My little man will be 15 months tomorrow. He is definitely a walker, but he has only been walking everywhere for the past 3 1/2 weeks. He did take a few steps after he turned one, but they were few and far between. He found that it was much faster to crawl. Speaking of crawling, I think that he used the army crawl for about 4-5 months before he ever decided to use the normal crawl. That is truly his personality; he is very laid back compared to his older sister.

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H.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Both of mine were lazy! 14 and 15 months! I conferred w doc, were no issues.

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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi A.! Like you, I have 2 girls who both walked shortly before their first birthdays. But my best friend has 2 boys and neither one of them walked until they were 18 months! Talk to your pediatrician if you want to, but I highly doubt it time to start worrying yet :)

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

both of mine started walking at 14 months

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S.O.

answers from Washington DC on

i wanted to let you know both of my kids walked later than 12 mos. my son walked at 15 mos and my daughter walked at 17 mos. an actual late walker is 19-22 mos. your child is fine ; ) remember all kids are different

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I was told that if she didn't walk by 18 mo. we'd get her checked out and somewhere around 15 mo. she finally started to waddle. I think that if all other things are alright, I wouldn't worry about walking just yet. Kids do what works for them til they decided something else works better. Give him opportunities to practice (my DD was afraid to fall, I think, so she enjoyed standing practice on our bed where the fall was soft).

I also agree that if he's happy to groove in the walker, he might be using it as a crutch. I'd wean him off it and see what he does with a push toy or other means of locomotion.

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H.H.

answers from Washington DC on

My son took a while to crawl (at 12 months) and walk (at 17 months), but my doc said to talk to him about it if he wasn't walking by 18 months. I wouldn't worry, he'll do it in his own time.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I didn't walk until I was 17 months and I get around fine. :) I would suggest taking away the walker and getting him a push toy. Both of my sons learned how to walk using the Playskool Step Start Walk and Ride. He can practice pulling himself up and eventually start walking. In the mean time, check with your pediatrician just to be sure, but babies develop at different times, so probably nothing to worry about.

Good luck!

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V.V.

answers from Houston on

Don't worry! My DD didn't walk until 14 1/2 months. She is so catious and careful and has two older brothers who were rough with her too! (They walked at a year and the other 11 months). I think she was afraid that if she did try to take a step on her own then big brother would be there to bump into her and knock her down! In my mind I thought she'd be the earliest because she was a girl and had two older siblings to model after. But every baby is truly different!

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M.R.

answers from Detroit on

Someone once told me that infants/toddlers tend to progress on big developmental tasks one at a time, so if their speech is progressing alot, maybe their gross motor will take a back seat. I'm not sure if that's proven, but it kinda seemed that way with my children. My daughter was rapidly progressing in language around 12 and didn't walk until 15.5 months. At age 9, she's a powerhouse runner, jumper, etc :)

Seems like you'll be coming up on a 12 month doctor visit though, wouldn't hurt to voice your concerns, see what they have to say. Maybe it will give you a little peace of mind.

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K.H.

answers from Richmond on

my little red head can stand on her own but isnt walking yet, she can crawl like a champ though. dont be worried, if you take the child into the doctor they will just send you a hefty bill and the name of a specialist, the specialist will then x ray your wallet, and send you on your way.
K. h.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

Sounds like he is excelling verbally. Mine is 12 months and has been walking for a month, but he doesn't say any actual words yet. He can eat anything you put in front of him and actually climb on stuff and balance and he jabbers all day, but not actual words. My first was the same, a somewhat early walker(like 11 months) but didn't really talk a whole lot until like 18 months, then he never shut up!!!LOL So I wouldn't worry at all! I have good friends whose first son walked at 16 months, sounds very normal :D

J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Totally normal. Not sure what you mean by "walker". Is this a toy he pushes around (ie walker wagon)? Those are great for pre-walkers. It's my understading the classic kind of walkers are not particularly great for prepping for walking and even present safety hazards.

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J.P.

answers from Denver on

Both my boys walked at 14 months. As long as he's walking by 18 months then he's fine :-)
J.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Why don't you ask your doctor about this? If your doctor says your son is fine, then you won't need to worry.

None of my children walked earlier than twelve months, and one of them chose to wait until she was sixteen months old (two weeks before her younger brother was born). So your boy could be just operating on his own personal schedule, but it would be good for you to have reassurance.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

My first & second were walking by 10mons, running by 12. Both boys. My third sounds just like yours. My daughter didn't walk until 15 months. Our ped sais so long as they're walking by 17 months they're totally fine. If by 17 months she wasn't walking then we'd have further checking to make sure she was OK. All is good. Pretty soon you'll long for the days of not walking LOL

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

No need to worry. My niece and nephew were born same week. The girl walked at 10 months, the boy at 15 months.

C.F.

answers from Boston on

My DS turned One in June and didnt start walking till the End of Sept. :-) No worries

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

there is no need to be worried at this point

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I want to add that the longer babies crawl, the more chance their brains have to develop critical skills. I also suggest taking away the walker. Let your boy take his time and find his own way. Worry never helps anyone! My son didn't walk till 19 mths. Before anyone gasps, he is now 15 yrs. and great at sports, and gets around fine!

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

RELAX. Everyone develops differently.

We never used walkers since they don't force the kids to do things on their own - they can become dependent on it like a security blanket. We did get our kids adjusted by our chiropractor. She found that the sacrum (the nerves communicate with the leg muscles) was not moving right and it helped with the transitions from lying to sitting, sitting to standing, standing to walking.

Baby #1 was 7 months old when he started to crawl and 13 months old when he started to walk/run. He just popped up one day and took off.

Baby #2 was 8 months old when he started to crawl and 10 months old when he strated to walk.

Baby #3 was 5 months old when she started to crawl and 11.5 months old when she started to walk.

Get rid of the walker, it's enabling him.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-famili...

Maybe see a pediatric chiropractor, as they deal with functional neurology.
http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

M.S.

answers from Spokane on

Yep, my son was 14 months before he took his first step. Could be a boy thing!

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M.P.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't think you should be worried -- he will walk. Maybe he isn't a big risk taker...

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

He can move himself with the walker, he's just not confident without it. My daughter had a hard time toddling. Especially when I tried to put cute soft soled shoes on her. Dad brought home a pair of mock Nike for her 13m birthday and she took off! She's now 4y and still going strong...

I would try to encourage him more without the walker.
M.

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B.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Sounds a lot like my son. He was so delayed to get moving. He was late to crawl, late to pull up, late to cruise. He didn't take his first independent steps until the day he turned 18 months. I did mention it to the doctor (and you should too, just to be safe), but my doctor felt that as long as he was progressing toward walking and showed no other concerning signs of developmental delay, then he was probably just going to be a late walker.

By the way, now my son walks and runs all over the place! :)
You'd never be able to tell that he started a little on the late side.

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J.G.

answers from Springfield on

Totally normal. But do take away the walker. If he's in the walker, he can't learn how to stand, cruise or walk. He might miss it at first, but soon he'll love his new found freedom.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My son didn't walk until he was 15 months old. He army crawled until he was a year old when we had to start helping him learn how to classic crawl. After three months of classic crawling he finally had built up enough muscles to walk. My son has always been more careful. Now that he is 2.5 he is more daring but as a first time mom I was really worried when he wasn't walking. The pediatrician said it wasn't anything to worry about as long as they walk by 15 months.

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

Chiming in a little late, but just to add in that my DD did not walk on her own until 14 months. She would cruise some holding onto furniture at 12 months, but it was another month before she was able to stand on her own for more than a few seconds and another month after that before she started walking on her own. As long as he is hitting all his other milestones within a normal range, I would not be too worried. There's a huge time frame that is considered "normal" for walking.

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