Walking

Sounds like you are on track with him. Taking him to the doctor and asking all the right questions.
about the shoes...
everything that i have been reading and talking to other people and my doctor have said that barefoot is best. they have shoes at target that are really soft and it is just like walking barefoot. THey say that kids have more balance with barefeet. I know my little monkey does. I can't keep shoes on him when we are at home.
Take care

Hi D., I would talk to his pediatrician, I have never seen a 20 month old not walking, Do you guys pick him up a lot and cary him, even to the car make him walk, no more carrying, how old was he when he started crawling, my first born wasd 13 months before he walked, we though that was late.I would just start making him walk e ery where. Have you started Potty training him yet? J.

I am a pediatric occupational therapist and although I wouldn't worry about anything, I would definitely call the regional center to see if you can get an evaluation. You don't want to look back down the road and realize there was something you could have done to catch him up. Sometimes they don't need services, but during the evaluation we can give the parents a few ideas to get them going on the skills they lack if services aren't necessary.

The physical therapists I have worked with generally say no shoes so that their feet make contact with the surface and they can develop their muscles in their feet and ankles naturally.

I am the eldest of 5 and my mom swears I still wouldn't be walking if it wasn't for fear of my younger brother beating me to it! I was almost 2 before I walked! My mom says I was cautious and careful. My brother, who is 1 year younger, was aggressive and very physically active he started right after turning 1. To this day he is such a doer and thinking out of the box kind of guy.

He wants to do more fishing, bought a fixer upper boat and would go out to the islands, learned to scuba for abalone and lobster. Decided to take up go-kart racing. Had some investment properties in Paso Robles area and decided to learn to fly to get back and forth faster. He just finished building his own 2 seater helicopter. He really is amazing!

Me I am free spirited and love life but much more cautious. I have been married for 18 years, 3 great kids and a whole menagerie of animals. I have had some pretty amazing opportunities in my life also but not by choice just lucky and people liking me!

So just relax and let your little one work at his own pace. If there is one thing I have learned from my siblings and my own children is that the most difficult thing to do is let them be their own person. Everyone marches to a different drummer and it starts from the day we are born.

Good Luck,

S. Chase

Hi D.~ I wouldn't worry he is on his way. My son did not start walking until 23 months. Now he loves walking everywhere! Get ready to get your excersise chasing after him once he gets started.

Does he walk if you hold his hand? Maybe take him to the park frequently so he can watch the other babies walking. I personally would talk to your pediatrician as well.

Try giving him more reasons to walk- pick him up less, put things out of reach, etc. This may not help as much with walking because he may resort back to crawling. But if he is able to walk and just chooses not to, I don't think you have anything to worry about (and I'm assuming you're already talked to your ped, at least at the 18 month check up). Maybe get him around other kids his age or a little older who are running and climbing. Make it look like fun, so he starts to realize what he's missing out on. And make a BIG BIG deal out of the few steps he takes. Good luck!

Hi D.,
My son us 17 months & just took his first steps. He still crawls quite a bit, but is also up & walking. We were getting worried as well by this stage - I think all parents worry about these things. He probably just doesn't have the confidence to just "let go" yet. We would take both of his hands & make walking fun, telling him "walkee walkee Bo" & then he really started liking it as a game. We then let go to one hand so he had to balance more. We did this several times a day, every day. We would take him out of his stroller as soon as we were someplace safe for him to walk & practice. He soon gained the confidence to let go & try on his own. I'm sure he will be walking on his own soon. Good luck!

I would check with your pediatrician.

I might get a second opinion just to make sure there are no serious developmental delays since he will almost be 2.

I think you know the answer because it's sort of in your second post. You have to not carry him if he asks to be picked up. Just let him walk. Tell him, you're a big boy and too heavy for mommy to carry, and just ignore those arms when they shoot up to you to be picked up. It sounds to me like he knows how to walk and is just choosing not to, so help him make the choice to do it. It's the first of many times you'll have to step out of the way and let him do something for himself, even if he doesn't want to. :) One more little piece of advice: get him some kind of "push" toy like a lawnmower or shopping cart and let him push that around. You can even take it with you when you're out and about for a distraction. Take him to a toystore and let him pick it out so you know it's something he likes and he'll want to use it. Good luck!

My daughter used to only walk when she was holding on to something. I knew she was ready to walk indepently, but she must have need the security. I held on to one end of on of her toys while she held on to another, we'd walk together for a bit and then I'd let go. She'd hold tight, but was walking by herself and I'd just walk next to her. Eventually she figured it out. Don't know if this will help, but it worked twice for me!

No shoes is supposed to be better-they can actually "feel" what they need to do with their feet, but I think that's for a child who doesn't walk at all. I think shoes or no shoes may not matter for your son.

I love the idea of taking your son to the Regional Center. They can be called things in different cities, as the other poster mentioned. Here in San Diego, it's called San Diego Regional Center (which is easy, right?) but when I first used one I was in Little Rock, and it's called First Connections there. If in doubt, type in your city (or state's) name and "developmental delay" in a google search and something should come up. It's through the state health dept, so if all else fails, just call the main number and explain what you're looking for.

Here's why I think the regional center is a great idea. It doesn't mean you're worrying about your son or disagreeing with his doctor. However, because they give really thorough evaluations (my son had a speech delay), they'll pick up on things that you won't. And honestly maybe you're doctor wouldn't notice in a short visit. If your son doesn't qualify you're no worse off than you were, but if he does you'll benefit from 2 things: 1) a PT or OT working with your son 2) they'll work with you teaching you how to get your son to walk consistently.

In addition to a Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist, I got a behavior counselor (I think that was her title). She met with me once a week for 8 weeks and taught me how to modify my son's behavior. It was whatever I wanted (leaving the playground when I said it was time, potty training, transitioning activities). This was stuff that any mom of any child would love to know. It was great information that really had nothing to do directly with his speech delay, but once you qualify through regional center there are all these resources that are awesome!

Good luck to you! Let us know what happens!

I've heard it is easier for babies to learn to walk without anything on their feet. If he is doing as your pediatrician says and being lazy maybe just have a weekend where you can work with him and not pick him up and have him get where he needs to go on his own. If he starts to throw a fit because your not picking him up try to get his mind off his frustration and make a game out of walking. Maybe mini races with the four year old.

Every child is different and just because some children start earlier than others or had difficulties doesn't mean it's the same case with your child. Sounds like you have done what you can by taking him to the Dr. and making sure he is physically fine. It's up to him now.

The following article says some babies walk as late as 21 months so I don't think you need to worry.

http://www.theparentreport.com/resources/ages/infant/deve...
Hope this helps

What did your Pediatrician say?

Usually, if by 18 months they are not walking...maybe, probably, there is a delay. But, this is not set in stone. I would really ask your Pediatrician. Is your child delayed in other areas? Or just walking?

Your doctor should look at this overall development, milestones, growth etc.

Perhaps do a google search and see what comes up on the subject.

Take care,
~ Susan

I was trying to let my son figure out the walking thing on his own since I read that pressuring them can actually delay the process. Near the end of 13 months I saw that he could take a few steps but didn't seem motivated to do much more than that so I decided to take action regardless of what I had read. Instead of using two hands and helping him walk as I walked behind him, I started holding one of his hands and having him practice walking at my side. I started taking him for walks like this outside as well. Then eventually I started to let go of his hand and walk a few steps away asking him to follow. It took a week or more of him either just sitting right down or standing there whining and holding his hand out to me, but eventually he started gaining more confidence and would take some steps. It still took another month and a half of practice, but now he walks like a champ. Of course he falls all the time, but he's getting more and more coordinated. I'm not sure if you've tried any of this before, but it's worth a shot if not. I would still check with his doctor in either case because he does seem rather old to not be walking. My brother has Down's Syndrome and even he was walking at 18 months. Does your son have any problems with his ears? I've read that that can contribute to delayed walking because of balance issues.

D.,

It may seem cumbersome to you, but you must remain supportive and encouraging towards your son. You should be quite grateful that he's beginning his steps. According to the development of your child, his next phase is walking. So be patient and enjoy this special time with him.

Hello, if your son is walking on his tippee toes, it is a sign that his ankles are not strong enough to hold his weight. Usually, if you seen some flat feet to the ground, he will start "letting go" of the furniture or even walk with you holding one hand only.

I would reccoment going to Stride Rite for a decent pair of Baby's first Walking Shoes. The salesperson there will fit your child with the right shoe to support those ankles. You may spend $40, but it's totally worth it.

Chances are, he will run before he walks!!

Good luck, M.... Mom of two boys 10 and 8 years.

Ask your doctor to refer him to the agency in your state which provides free services (physical therapy in his case) to children under three who have developmental delays. You should also call them. Both my kids have been involved with the Hawaii agency (called Imua - the Hawaiian word meaning "to move forward") for speech therapy and it has been a good experience. They assess your child and let you know what services he qualifies for, and the therapist may even come to your home. Good luck! You want your boy to "start off on the right foot!"

my daughter at 14 months would only walk assisted, so we propped her up against the wall and held out her favorite treat, the first time she took 7 steps, she just needed a litte help.

I wouldn't worry about it give him a few weeks to venture out. We found with our son he was doing the same thing but would not attempt to walk on his own. My husband, upon studying him, saw that he was very scared to try it so one day he worked with him for a while. What he did was while sitting down on floor level, holding his hands he helped him to walk all the while encouraging him to do so. After doing that for a quiet a while and encouraging him with smiles and words then he walked him out a little ways and let go slowly but kept his hands close to my son's hands and while sitting still only three steps away or so and hands extended so that they were within reach but not touching our son's he encouraged him to come to him. My son did with tenative steps. He then let him know how proud he was of him with big hugs and kisses. After a short break he had him do it again a few times. After that my son wanted to walk and would venture out a few steps from time to time. If I was watching I would give him lots of praise. But I would give him a few weeks to see if he does it on his own and to let him get used to edging around furnature. It really is a very natural stage. Also there is a great book that might help you with all kinds of questions from developmental stages to illness to diet. It is called The Baby Book by Sears. It is a great resource. Hope this helps.

Unless he is behind on other things I would just be patient. My two oldest daughters neither one would walk until 18 months. They would walk with help, along furniture, the walls etc. and then one day they just started walking!!

If you are really concerned make an appointment with your baby's doctor to have him screened.

It's a little on the late side....all mine chose to wait until they turned a year to walk & most people think that is late. Ultimately if he is walking (touching tables or something for balance) he is doing fine. I would just encourage him to walk beside you...holding a finger etc...he will get there. God Bless!

HI THERE...
Have you had his ears checked? A friend of mine's son wasn't walking at 18 mo & wasn't speaking very much either. Come to find out he needed tubes in his ears. He started walking within a few days & began speaking more words because he could hear himself. Hope this helps...

Did he hit any of the other gross motor milestones late as well?? You may want to contact your local Regional Center to have him evaluated. Depending on what city you live in will depend on which one you contact. They will evaluate him to make sure everything else is fine as well. For Long Beach and the South Bay area the number is 888)540-1711. If you live in Orange County, you may want to look online for the number or call the one above and ask for it. Good luck.

Sounds like he is taking his time! 20 Months does seem a little older than most to start walking. Check with your pediatrician to rule out any physical problems. Also, as others have said, try to encourage him to walk by himself whenever possible.
Potty training should have nothing to do with his walking ability at this point (especially if he is an only child). Boys typically do not potty train until much later than girls (unless they have older siblings), but still, boys tend to potty train later. But if your child is not walking yet, he definitely is not ready to potty train either...one step at a time!!!

Children respond well to praise, so encourage and praise him everytime he takes even one step on his own. Encourage him to practice walking at appropriate times. The fact that he will take even a few steps on his own is encouraging and shows that he is well on his way to conquering this milestone...even if that is in his own time frame!

You know your child better than anyone (including the pediatrician), so if you feel this needs to be explored further...by all means, research until you find an answer that helps you! Otherwise, allow you son to continue to developing at his own pace.
Best of luck!