Worried for My Son.

HI Kate,
My son is now 23 months old. He did not crawl until he was about a year and he didn't walk until this July. He just was not interested. You can get him evaluated. I did. He was just a few points from services but it made me feel so much better. I hope this helps....

J.

Hi K.,
You got a lot of positive feedback from other mothers about not worrying about a late walker. I agree, to not worry about a late walker. But your comment about his legs and arms being VERY stiff, concerns me. I am a physician assistant. I don't want to be negative or add to your fears, but the stiff is the only part of your post that I find concerning. Stiffness can indicate muscle spasticity. Have you brought up the stiffness to the pediatrician? Has Dr. noticed it? Has he been stiff since birth? I believe one thing very strongly...as a mother and a medical provider...moms ALWAYS know when something is wrong. Forget the issue of late walking and concentrate on the stiffness for now. If you think deep down that something is wrong, pursue is, don't let it go even if it means finding another doctor or specialist for another opinion. I think one mom suggested early intervention (generally through your county or school district) or a physical therapist. Those are good ideas. A neurologist is also a possibility. Best wishes, M.

I wasn't too concerened until you mentioned that he is stiff. It still may be nothing, but it may not be a bad idea to have him evaulated by an occupational & or physical therapist. His ped. should be able to refer you or maybe go through early intervention through the county you live in. Some children are just late in their physical development & eventually catch up, if there is something you can help him with it's best to start early.
You can try to massage him & really try to encourage him to crawl/ walk.
Good luck, everything will be fine!!

Hey K.,

You have nothing to worry about. My daughter just turned 2 but she did not crawl till 13 months and then started walking between 16-18 months. Just give him time and when he is ready he will be all over the place.

Hello my son is 13 months old too. He just started crawling. so nothing to worrie about. IS your son talking yet? mines not he dont say mama or dada but anyways my son just started crawling a couple days ago he aint the greatest at it but he is still doing it. thanks

Hi K.,

Don't woory it will happen. I was almost 2 before I crawled or walked, the Dr. had me to all kinds of specialist, none of them could find anything wrong, and around 20 months I crawled and almost immediately after started to walk( so my mom tells me) I am 40 and fine now, so don't worry every baby develops at there own pace.
Good Luck!
L.

Hi K.

Sometimes you just have to take your doctors word. Kids all develop and learn at different stages in their life. I am sorry that you are scared and worried but I am glad you are because there are not many parents who would be. I know someone who has a 3 year old son and he says nothing. He makes no sounds other then crying. The mother has not taken him to the doctor. It is good you are acting quickly and taking precaution. I hope everything works out.

Bonnie

Don't worry, he'll be fine. Not all children walk by the time they are one. My daughter never crawled, she would drag herself a little by her arms, kinda like an army crawl, and she didn't walk until she was 15 mths old. She also didn't learn how to walk up and down steps , one at a time, until she was 2 1/2. She's almost 11 now and she never had any problems from late walking.
D.

Hi K. - I would say not to worry either. There are kids that don't start walking until 18 months and crawl just as late. You are his mother though, you know his history, and if you feel deep in your heart that you are just not sure and it would put your mind at ease, get a second opinion. Or, talk to the doctor about what the intentions are at 15 months and YOU decide as the mother if you want to start earlier with that treatment. Hey, maybe the pediatrician will tell you to take your son to a Physical Therapist. Well you make the decision if you want to try one earlier and the PT may say, "lady you are crazy :o) this kid is fine" and then you go on your merry way :o)

Good luck!
S.

K., the saying "The sqeaky wheel gets the oil" might help you out right now. I have 4 children, and several nieces and nephews all of whom were at the very least crawling by a year. He should be pulling himself up along the furniture and attempting to balance. My other concern is the "stiff legs" I would be bringing him back to the pediatrician and demanding a second opinion. I would continue to do so until I had NO questions regarding his physical and neurological exams. Remember to always listen to that little inner voice. This is a new journey for you, I will keep you and your son in my thoughts and prayers.

K. I am preschool special education teacher. My feeling is if you are concerned for your son have an evaluation done. In the end it will either get your son the help he needs or will put your mind at more ease knowing there is nothing wrong. To get an early intervention evaluation at his age you have to go through the county. The process is fairly simple and totally free to you. Also have you mentioned the stiffness to you doctor. My son didn't walk till 15 months but what worries me is that you say he is stiff. I would def bring him back and get a second opinion. If you have any questions or need any help please feel free to email me.

I wouldn't worry too much. Like the doctor said, if he doesn't start in a few months then worry. Does he have a reason to want to walk? Let him get things for himself. Don't run, everytime he points, to retrieve what he wants. When he figures out that he can get there quicker, he will want to walk. Help him practice walking, while you hold on to his hands.

I know exactly how you feel K.. My son didn't walk at 12 months, 15 months, 18 months....He finally walked at 20 months old. Nothing was wrong with him. At his 15 month check doctors recommended a physical therapist to me. They said that he/she would come into my home and work with my son to get him up and walking around. At that time I really didn't want that. I had done a lot of reading and everything I read said that walking comes when it comes in children, and a delay in walking doesn't mean that the child would be delayed in anything else. I just didn't want to push my son. I knew he'd walk when he felt ready. What we did realize is that my son did become very vocal since he couldn't walk. Verbally, he was advanced. My son is now 28 months old. He runs, tumbles, and talks up a storm. No one would ever know that he hadn't walked until he was 20 months old. I still stand by my decision to allow him to walk when he was ready. It was hard though. I remember being in an airport when he was 18 months old, not wanting to put him on the dirty floor to allow him to crawl....wishing he was walking. But in the end, it all worked out. Hang in there. Your boy's turn will come.

Hi Kate,

It is only natural for a mom to worry about a child, I guess that is part of our job! If this helps any, my cousin who is now 36 did not walk until she was 16 months old. At the age of 4 she started dance lessons (as most little girls do) and still to this date she is dancing! She is a professional dancer, she even toured with Seaseme Street live! :) - my son was also a late walker, my sister had three children before me, her youngest of the three was just 2 months older than my son and her youngest started walking at 10 months and her other two at 9 months. When my son wasn't walking I worring went to my sons doctor and he too told me don't worry, his grandson was almost 18 months old before he started to walk, he then continued and told me grandson (who then must have been in high school) Continues to be on the honor roll and is earned his Varsity Letter in track when he was a Freshman!
My suggestion to you is - If your son's doctor is not giving you the answers to your questions, it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. If your insurance does not require a refferal - I would bring him to a specialist.If not try another pediatrician - it can't hurt.

Good luck - I will keep you and your son in my prayers!

Hi K.,
I am a mother of 3. Oldest girl 8, middle boy 4 and youngest girl 17 months. My oldest learned quick, son took some time and youngest is smart. Honestly I think its boys, their not to interested in doing things. My oldest and youngest walked great at 10 months believe it or not. But my son he was over one when he even started crawling. I used everything between walkers and now the new walker/bikes. He was more interested in playing with trucks and cars than walking. I would even take his hands and walk with him, he would do that but to let go, forget it. A friend of mine mentioned to take a clothes pin, or even something thats your sons favorite thing. Have him hold it, and you hold it, start walking with him and let go of it, he may just look at you at first, but keep at it. Persistant he will understand sooner or later what your trying to do. Be patient though. My oldest walked before she crawled, she hated the floor. And Grass haha she would not even sit on the grass or have her feet touch it. I def didnt have a problem with her going of the blanket on a picnic. lol All children learn differently. Boys are interested when they feel ready to. It takes time, same with like for instants potty training. Girls catch on quickly I had my oldest trained by two, my son forget it. He was almost 3 3 1/2 before he would even go near the toilet. I wouldnt be to worried, but if it would be easier to settle your mind, have him evaluated. It will def. Ease your mind on the matter. Hope all goes great, keep us informed.
M.
mother of 3

Hi K.. If the Dr's aren't too worried I wouldn't lose sleep, but there are things that you could do to continue to help him to be ready to walk. If you really feel like he is stiff, maybe he is resisting a little. One thing about kids, when they KNOW there is something you really really really want them to do, they usually fight it tooth and nail:) I would massage his legs. When you are changing him and cuddling. Help himi ove his legs. Like pedaling a bike. Just continue to encourage movement. Maybe take him in some water and let him "swim" Great exercise, great way to strengthing and continue building his muscles. No resistance (unless he doesn't like water) and babies naturally will kick and move. I would make everything a game. Bounce him up and down on your leg and play. Make everything INFORMAL. If it's a game...he'll love it and not even know what your motivation is. All children develop at different rates....When they are ready. Maybe devote some very specific tummy time to encouraging him to reach for toys that are just out of his reach. If he wants something bad enough he may just move forward. Games, Games, Games. If your attitude is light and fun he will react well. If you are down trodden and concerned he will react as well. You are a good mother and he is a typical little baby beginning to transition into being a toddler-----scary. There is so much that needs to happen in order for that crawling and walking to happen and all in good time. Don't doubt yourself or him. Good luck and keep smiling either way he loves you and in his eyes you hang the moon and walk on water...