I have a baby boy who just turned 15 months. He is still not walking on his own. He cruises all over the house and walks very well behind his walking car and holding on to my one hand but the second I try to let go he just falls down. He seems to think falling is hilarious. We have tried so many ways to help him get the courage to let go and he just prefers to crawl (which he can do at lightening fast speed). I have his 15 month appointment next week and worried what the Dr will say. I don't actually don't think there is anything wrond with him, he is just cautious and doesn't yet see the benefit of walking. Will the Dr make a big deal of his not walking on his own? Should I actually be worried? What else can I try?
Thank you so much to all of you who responded to me! We had our 15 month appointment on Wednesday and you all were right! The Dr was not concerned, she said that because he could support himself on his legs and would walk holding onto our hand there was nothing to worry about! What a relief! It also seems that he is very advanced cognitively (he is already speaking in 2-word sentences and is advanced in shape recognition for his age,etc) and she said that babies that are so advanced in one area may be slightly behind in another because their brains are concentrating so hard in that one area.
Anyways, again I thank you all for your encouraging words and support, it seems all really will be OK!
I try to always trust how I feel about it. My first instinct is to worry about what others will think or try and compare by dear boy to others and I have to remind myself that all children are individuals and will develop in their own sweet time. I've noticed that if I try and help my son before he is ready, he'll take that much longer to do something.
I doubt your doctor will make a huge deal about this. The time frame for a child to start walking is HUGE! It's like 9-18 months. The fact that he can walk at all should satisfy the doctor. If he wasn't walking at all then there might be cause for concern.
Don't worry about it. My daughter didn't walk until 16 months, and she is absolutely fine and healthy. She did exactly the behaviors you are describing - if I tried to let go of her hand she would fall to the ground and wail. One day she just let go of the coffee table and walked into the kitchen. Your son will wak when he's good and ready, I'm sure.
Good luck!
Hey J.,
My middle daughter did not walk until after 2 years old. Or right about that time. She also didn't talk much until closer to 3.
She has an older sister so she bascially did everything for her. being yours is an only child...I know that it is not the case. BUT maybe grown ups are doing too much for him & not forcing him to walk. Only children get spoiled that way.
My grandma watched all my girls & tended to carry them too much. My Aunt bought a walker put the kiddos in it & told my grandma NOT to pick them up any more. Leave them in the walker. So I know first hand about the grown ups doing too much first hand.
My Mom had my middle one for 1 week without me or her sister & by the time we got there...she was walking. My Mom just told her...I will NOT carry you...you will walk. Within that week...she was doing it all alone.
Just some ideas. Best of luck.
I would not be worried at all. It sounds like he has the physical ability to walk, but just does not want to. Go with your gut. If you feel he's fine, he's probably fine. If the doctor is concerned, I'd ask for more time. Maybe say you'll come back if he's not walking by X age.
Holding him has nothing to do w/ his not walking. He's not spoiled. He's loved. Is there really "need" for him to walk right now? No. So, I'd just let him do it in his own time.
My youngest did not roll over until he was over 8mos old and in my heart I knew he was fine. And he was. :)
I won't worry too much about it. My youngest was walking at age 1 but then she took a fall and regressed. She started crawling again and didn't walk again until she was about 15 months with a little shopping cart only. Then a little afterwards she walked but was very cautious.
Carry a child wil not make a child delayed in his walking. My youngest is a crybaby so I carried her a lot.
Hope this helps and Good Luck
-L.
I would not worry about it at all, just remember when he gets older you will wish that he is younger. Einstien didn't walk until he was 3!
NO, he won't - at least, he shouldn't.
I have an 18 month old who is still not walking on his own - in fact, he just started cruising a month ago - and he's working with ECI. The pediatrician, two orthopedists, and a neurologist said it's no big deal - as long as he's pulling up by 15 months and walking by 2.
S.
One thing I have learned above all else is that every baby is different. I know it is discouraging, we had a late crawler. I was convinced he would never crawl, but one day, he just took off. He'll come around in his own time. No worries!
