15 Month Old Not Walking

Call Easter Seals. ###-###-#### and they will do a full evaluation and tell you if there are any delays or anything to be concerned about.

Hi J..

I too, see lots of responses. Just wanted to let you know that my oldest did not walk until he was 18 months old. Then he took off like a mad-man! He's smart, a fast runner and great swimmer. I guess he was just happy with getting around in other ways, for a while. (He didn't crawl until 14 months, either!) Best wishes to you!

Hi! Just wanted to let you know my husband was almost 16 months old before he "let go" and walked alone. He is not only normal physically, but is quite brilliant, with a masters degree in software engineering. So here is one data point that says don't worry!

Good luck

My two children were late walkers. My oldest did not start walking until her 15th month when we had some relatives with older children stay with us for a few weeks and then she just took off! Same thing with my other daughter. She was not walking either. I dropped them off with the neighbors for a job interview for about an hour. They had a grandson 1 day younger than my daughter who was already walking. When I dropped her off I let them know she did not walk yet. When I picked her up she never sat still again! I believe your child will start walking when he is ready. Good luck and God bless you and your family.

My son didn't walk until about then too.

It doesn't matter when other babies do this or that. It is not a competition. If he is walking while holding onto furniture then physically he can walk. Everything works. When he gets the confidence and desire he will walk on his own. Stop worrying. And usually when people ask when questions they're really just making conversation and know that it is all exciting to watch babies grow and do firsts. As for the other people who are being judgemental and negative, ignore them, they are not worth your time. They're probably just looking for the opportunity to brag on their kid.
Gob Bless

I am sure he's fine. Some kids are late walkers. Have you tried getting him some push toys? So he can still hold on to them & push them & have the experience of walking before doing it on his own? My son loved those when he was learning to walk. He still does & most convert into riding toys, but he still likes to push them around the house. Give that a try. I have several of them if you want to borrow one to see how it goes, send me a private message. P.S. My son is 15 mos too! :)

HI J.,,,,,,
you don'nt need any advice your dfo a great job and the therapist will know whats up soon
good luck L.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it yet. My son didn't want to pull himself up until 15 months and then he didn't take his first step until 16 months. Though it is at the other end of the 'walking' spectrum, it still is within normal range for children. My pediatrician had no worries as well. My son though was always a chunky baby, so I always thought it was the weight keeping him grounded and that he needed more time to develop leg muscles. Also, once they start walking, then you'll need to be quicker on the response time. These little tykes can really move when they stand on two legs.

If I ever get a second child, I will also hope that he/she will be a late walker. Gives me more time to adjust. I would wait on spending money on a physical therapist if he likes to cruise. That's a perfectly normal stage for him to be at.

I might have every one beat on this one . . . my daughter didn't start walking until 23 1/2 months!!! She had a very efficient "scooch" where she could move along on her bottom and also hold on to a toy at the same time. She never crawled and rarely even cruised while holding on to furniture. Her doctor was not concerned, although I was getting very anxious. Finally, when we moved to a larger house, she started walking. (She couldn't find me one day while I was unpacking boxes in another room.) I attribute her late walking to very tiny feet.

Hi J.,
My daughter (now 21 y/o) didn't walk until she was 15 months old either. No matter what we tried, she was not interested. Then finally, one day, she just took off! He will be okay, don't worry.
T.

I have 5 children ranging in age from 18yrs down to 12yrs. My oldest walked at 8.5 months but the youngest didnt walk until he was 18 months old. The others were between 10 and 12 months when they walked. my 12 yr old is just as bright, happy and coordinated as all of my others, he just didnt want to walk. Be patient, he will get there.

I haven't read the other resopnses, but I wanted to tell you that my mother-in-law said my husband didn't walk until he was 18 months. And he's just fine now! If your pediatrition thinks it sok, I'm sure he's fine. He will walk when he wants to. I'm sure its frustrating to carry him around, but remember, it will be gone before you know it!

If your son is crawling and standing up and pulling along the furniture he seems normal. I understand your frustration that he is not walking and your fear that something is wrong. The fact probably is that he is just not interested in walking!
All children develop differently and at different rates and paces. Don't compare him to the prek and measure his development by his brother. I question bringing a PT into your home - if he seems able to stand up and pull up on furniture and if he seems in all other ways normal assume that the Doctor is right and that he is just not as interested in walking as you are in him walking.
I experienced the same thing with my daughter. She did not take her first real steps until she was about 18 to 20 months old. She was pulling up and throwing blocks with accuracy at our cat but just didn't seem interested in walking. She took those first halting steps and then it seemed that she ran everywhere she went. She is 35 and hasn't stopped....
I will keep you in my thoughts.
GJKBEAR

My boys did not walk until 17, almost 18 months. I would not worry just yet. If he is on task with other developments I'm sure this will come soon. I don't think you can "make" him walk.
Don't worry, I'm sure he is fine. Remember, once they walk, they run! :)

My son was a little different (of course...aren't they all *smile*)...but the concerns were similar. He wasn't even crawling at 12 months and I was concerned. His method of movement was rolling...he'd lay down flat and roll toward whatever he wanted. When I tried to position him for crawling, he would cry and scream. About 13 months he started pulling himself up and doing a little "cruising" along the furniture but the moment he got to the end of a piece of furniture, he'd drop and roll to the next piece.

I finally bought a couple of play tables and other things his height and put them in strategic locations around the living room...and I started sitting in a single dining chair located a few steps from anything else in the room. He kept cruising and rolling for more than a month, then, one day, he was babbling at me about something, let go of the sofa and took a couple of steps toward me. Within a week he was walking everywhere...and he NEVER learned to crawl!

I'm sure your daughter is fine...she's standing and cruising so it isn't likely her crying is a result of pain. It is possible that she knows on some level that you want her to walk and she's being stubborn (this is coming from the mom of one of the most stubborn seven year olds on the planet)!

My oldest boy didn't start walking until 14 months and my youngest boy started at 15 months. They both had the ability because they were practically running around with one of those push toy things. So, I'm not really sure why it took them so long to go it alone...confidence? The drs also said that there was nothing wrong with them. They just one day decided to start walking.

My daughter didn't walk until 17th months and I never worried. The beauty was that when she was ready to go, she just went. She didn't toddle and fall down like most new walkers. He'll walk when he was ready. If he is standing and cruising, I wouldn't worry. My daughter didn't even do that :)

HI there! My son just turned 16 months on sunday and Finally FINALLY took his first 12 steps from me to his daddy solo! (this past friday evening!)(:
We were so worried because we know another family with a little girl around his age who is already walking solo. At his 15 month apt. I asked the doctor and he said he was healthy but to keep practicing with him walking. He just crawls all over the place and "cruises" all over..but he is attempting to take steps solo little by little.I would suggest just keep trying. Instead of getting him up out of his crib/bed and carrying him, pick him up and make him walk with you to do things, walk with him to the restroom to brush his teeth, walk with him to the dining room for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner, walk with him to bed. If you can, walk with him in the grocery store or outside while your other son is playing. He'll eventually get used to it and gain confidence that he can do it. That's pretty much what we've been doing. He's still mostly crawling but we are noticing that when he's cruising he'll let go of the table/couch/chair and just stand there balancing hisself sometimes he'll even start "dancing" swaying side to side and bouncing. Just give your little one time and patience. My sister didn't start walking until she was 18 months!!! Just keep practicing! I know it's easier said than done when you see other people's little ones toddling around, but don't worry, he will get there soon enough! Good luck!!!

My son is doing the same thing at 14 months. He only takes steps by himself when he doesn't realize he's not holding on to anything, usually going after a toy he wants. We got him a push toy and he uses it to get around the house and bump into everything. He'll sometimes walk with me, but the usually cries the whole time while doing it because he's scared. I know in time he will be running around the play and I'll long for the days when I was able to keep up with him. It will happen!! I know that's what I keep telling myself. Good Luck!

The doctor checked him out completely and said nothing is wrong. Who decided on the physical therapist, you or the doctor? If he's normal and healthy, he'll cut loose one of these days, so don't panic. Of course, you are a little concerned (embarrassed) when you are with friends with children of the same age or younger who are walking, but just grin and bear it. He'll walk when he wants to, not when you want him to.

Try not to worry! My daughter was the same way and there was nothing wrong with her. She started by 16 months and the week after she was running! It's hard to let our kids develop at their own pace; my mom drove me crazy for months b/c my daughter wasn't walking at 12 months, etc. Just let your kids develop normally and not on any timetable. You'll know if something's not right - that's what mommy instincts are for! Since he cries, don't force the issue; wait a week or so and make it a fun experience, not one where he feels pressured to perform.

My first son walked at 12 months, and my second son walked at 1 week before he turned 18 months. Both my husband and I walked by 12 months, so we were a bit concerned. Lucky for us, my best friend's sister is a developmental pediatrician. This is the doctor you take your kids to when they are not developing normally, as in not walking on time. She told us not to worry at all. Our regular doctor had checked his legs, hip joints, etc. and found everything to be normal. The kid just didn't feel like walking yet! The developmental pediatrician told us that if he wasn't walking by 18 months, we might want to get him tested further, but that it would not be a concern to her if he wasn't walking until he was 20 months old. At 20 months, she would be slightly concerned about it. I am a big believer in "you know your child best". If you are concerned because of what you know, NOT what others are telling you, then check it out. Not walking at 15 months is no big deal at all, but if YOU are concerned, please check it out further.

Hey J.: You got a lot of responses... I didn't read them all. Sorry if I repeat anything...

I bought this Playskool toy (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2331997) to help encourage my daughter to walk and build her confidence. Seemed to help her get over the fear of walking because she could hold on it. My other friend had a similar problem with her son and I gave it to her for him to use too... Both my daughter and my friends son were walking in 3-4 weeks after getting the toy. At first, put it on carpet (not tile or floor, that way it won't roll as quickly). Your son might just want to investigate it, or stand holding it but not walking. He'll gain confidence little by little and start taking steps with it.

(You can find the toy at various places... You can also order via Amazon.com)

Medically, I've been told children either learn to talk or learn to walk... They're brains can't learn both simultaneously. Its one, then the other... My daughter was very verbal early on, however didn't really walk until 15-16 months. Between 12-15 months, she would cruise around furniture but preferred to crawl instead of trying to walk (I think she felt safer; less risk of falling).

Anyway, I'm betting your son was an early talker too and is just now ready to start focusing on walking... Totally normal. Don't panic, don't worry. Before you know it, you'll be running after him into the bathroom to make sure he's not playing with the toilet brush... ah, the joy that awaits you... !

Good luck!

My third didn't walk until 15 months and his baby sister walked at 10 months. He is just going to be a more cautious child perhaps but he is quite normal I'm sure. As long as he is cruising from couch to couch his legs are strong. In a few months you will wonder why you worried so much -- trust me I worried deep down also but I knew he had the strength to pull and walk and didn't have weak muscle problems.

Normal Range is not until 18 months. At 15 months if they are not walking you should call Keep Pace. They will come to your home or day care ect. I would call right away. It is better to be safe then sorry!!!

Sitting in my lap right now is my son who will be 16 mths next week and he is the same way. I call him lazy! Just last week he started taking two and three steps here and there then falling to crawl. Boys are just loswer than girls, my daughter walked at 13 mths, and he will walk soon. if he reaches 2 and still isn't walking then look into it.(also my son is a little small, about the 15th percentile and he is wearing 9 mths clothes still, I think this is prat of it also)

My 1st son only starting walking at 15 months when he started Mother's Day Out. I had decided he didn't like to fall. He would walk a couple of steps and sit down. Crawling was easier. Now that he's 8, he's still hesitant about some things:)
I wouldn't worry a bit! If concerned, let him be around some other children his age, he may start walking when he sees them. (I think he decided that if they could, he could)

If he is otherwise developmentally on track, stop worrying. Everyone loves to talk about how early their children walked, but the normal age range for walking goes up to 18 months. According to my MIL, my husband waited until the absolute last second to walk - days from being 19 months old. He was just more interested in developing his verbal skills. Since he is now a 2nd degree blackbelt and has multiple degrees, I'm pretty sure it did not hold him back ;-). There is no reason why he should be walking now if he doesn't want to do so. Likely, the more you push him, the more resistant he will become over this issue.

Hi, J.!

I have 7 kids and all of them except one didn't walk until they were about 15 months old, so you're not alone! Enjoy every second with your little guy...he'll be DRIVING before you know it!

Blessings,
S.
SAHM of 7 (2 to 14)

I had two late walkers.... one around 15 months and the other around 16 months.

My daughter had been cruising FOREVER and crawling (because it's so much faster) right up until now. At 14 months she started taking a few steps, and now at 15 months she is FINALLY walking. You're not alone! There was nothing wrong with her, she just found crawling to be much faster and therefore only wanted to crawl!

We also found that my daughter would just drop down if we tried to hold her hands to walk her. Holding only 1 hand actually helped. She would sometimes walk that way.

I would say that if the pedi finds nothing wrong (which sounds like what happened) then there is nothing wrong. He's just taking his time, and just like with other things, don't rush it. I honestly don't think you need a PT at all. When he's ready he'll do it. Perhaps the pressure of y'all wanting him to walk is keeping him from doing it.

He'll probably just take off once he starts walking, like my daughter, instead of all the little baby steps. Just relax (if there is nothing wrong, which is what it sounds like) and let him do it at his own pace. I'm sure it won't be much longer!

Please relax, J..

You aren't comparing your child to his older brother or any other child, are you?
They are all individuals so have differences which make each one unique and lovable.
Your doctor is familiar with child development so can reassure you (as she did) to allow you to enjoy each stage in your son's life when he is ready, encouraging him to grow and progress in his own natural way.

Remember to smile and laugh with your growing boy for each success he achieves, whatever it is & whenever it occurs. Since your coach husband is gone a lot, you will want to help them create a special bond when he is around...just the two of them, as you have probably done with your older son, too.

Are you involved in a church fellowship? I pray you are.
Relationships there are very supportive for the entire family.
You will discover that some children learn quickly, grow quickly, and eat everything.
Other children have a slower pace, seem to spit everything edible out, and reach to ingest non-edibles whenever they can.

You have the most difficult and most rewarding job in the world. God bless you!

Love in Christ,
M. T

Hi J.. My daughter did not walk until 16 months. She was not interested either. She did not want me to help her at all hold her hands, walk next to her, etc.). Then one day she decided she wasn't going to crawl anymore and she just started walking everywhere! (and it happened just like that). Just a side note...I don't know if this helps, but my daughter has to do EVERYTHING by herself. She is very strong willed and does not like me helping her. we are dealing with potty training now and she wants to do it ALL by herself. That is just her personality. Good Luck!

I have a 2 year old daughter that did not started walking until she was 18 months. I understand you frustration and I did exactly what you did, I too her to the doctor, had her checked several times and the doctor was sure that nothing was wrong with her. Finally a little over a week after she turned 18 months, one day she let the corner of the couch go and started walking two and three steps at a time. In a matter of two weeks she was walking! So, my advise to you is do not worry if the doctor checked him and said there is nothing wrong with him, just be patience and wait... I learned that she started walking when she was ready for it!

I just took my 18 month old to her well baby check. She is not walking either...can cruise, but does not want to stand alone or even try to take steps between furniture.

Sense she has just started using a push walker in the past week and does not have any obvious physical reasons for not walking my pediatrician and I decided to re-evaluate at 19 months. If she is still not walking we will call ECI (Early Childhood Intervention).

So you have plenty of time to panic...up to 18 months for learning to walk is in the totally normal range.

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

Hi..I have 2 children who both started walking late. The oldest started crawling at 14 months and took her first step at 18 months. In 2 months time, she was running! My second child followed the same pattern - walked at 18.5 months!
With my first, I was worried and took her to the doctor to get a evaluation. It turned out that there was nothing wrong with her physically (in terms of bone growth) and that she was just choosing not to walk.
I would suggest letting the child walk at his/her own pace :)

Sometimes kids walk later because they are working on other areas of development. Is he talking? If a PT is coming out to the house, ask her if there is something wrong. If there is, then she is the one to help fix it. If he can crawl, then I wouldn't worry about it. Crawling uses both sides of the brain at the same time. It is a really good activity. I wouldn't push it. When he is ready, he probably will.

Doctors typically don't start getting concerned about not walking til 18 months. If he's met all his other developmental milestones, he's well within normal range!

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have a son also who is 15 months now and he just started walking a few weeks ago. Every kids is different and he will walk when he is ready. I use to think, is he behind because he isn't walking yet? But even like the doctor said, there is nothing to worry about. I started making him stand and instead of carry him I would walk holding his hand. At first it was hard because he didn't want any part of that. After about a week he got a little better. He has an older sister so he can keep up with her crawling than wabbling trying to stand. Then he would start to let go a second and catch him because he was falling. After about a week or 2 of that we noticed him talking a step, then tow, them three, before he fell. Then on day he just went all by himself.

My youngest son was the same way. He wouldn't walk, had no interest in it. He wouldn't stand on his own if he knew about it. I was barely holding on to one end of a towel and he was holding on to the other. I was behind him and he was watching his big brother on the playground. He stood like that for over 2 minutes. The day before he turned 16 months old, he grabbed his sippy cup and walked across the kitchen and into the living room. 26 steps. It was unbelievable. I kept comparing him to my friends little girl who was a month older and started walking at 10 months. She got pregnant with twins around that time and needed her daughter to walk. I was not pregnant and I babied my youngest, he didn't HAVE to walk, so he didn't. Be patient. Enjoy this time with your baby. Soon enough he will start to walk and then he will start to run. If the pedi says theres nothing physically wrong with him, it will happen on his terms. Continue to work with him, but don't stress over it. Many blessings.

Dont panic i say! things will develop in children when they want! my baby is liking the cruising stage but when i stand him upand try to get him to walk he doesnt want to he just picks his feet up in frustration. i do it out of amusement. But he does like to walk with me. i just take his hands and walk him until hes done. i think you should not get worked up about it.. enjoy the stage that your in!

Hi J.-

As the other moms said, he's probably just not ready yet and will walk in his own time. In the meantime though, does he have one of those walk behind toys? As soon as my son started pulling up, he loved to hold on to his toy and push it around the living room walking behind it. Then one day, he ventured out from behind it for a step or two and has never looked back.

Good Luck,
K.

Cruising is great, and it means he is more cautious which is also great, that means less accidents from your little boy since he is more cautious. My daughter cruised along until 18mo. and everyone asked when was she going to walk, I think its such a high pressure mile stone for parents, but with the extra help from the physical theapists and if your doctor says hes fine don't sweat it. Enjoy him, they grow too fast. Mine are now way past their first steps and running, running , running , climbing and such all over the place and I daydream about their crawling and sitting up stages.(: Best wishes, they all do things in their own time.

Don't worry! It sounds like he's physically capable- he can cruise on the furniture, he's just not interested yet. Or maybe he's a little scared of letting go of something stable. Keep working with him, but it will come in time. I have several friends whose little ones didn't walk until 15-18 months and they are just fine! If your pedi isn't worried, don't tear yourself up.

My son was 17 months old before he walked.
He didn't crawl until 9 months.
My ped. said he was ok.
I hope that eases mind.
P.S.
my son is now 7 and we can't stophim from RUNNING everywhere.

I agree with the other mom's, kids do things on their own schedule, he will walk when he is ready. My grandson walked just after his second birthday, we had begun wondering if he would, he did. Once the dr sais his hip joints are fine, relax. Some kids, the more you push the more they hold back.

My older son didn't walk until 15 months either. And when he decided to walk, he took off and didn't have any unsteadiness, or falls like the younger two, who walked earlier, did. (Now 2 have graduate degrees & are working & the "baby" is a college sophomore.)If your pediatrician isn't worried, don't you worry! If your son's cruising along the furniture, he's got the physical skills he needs, but maybe he's just cautious--not a bad trait for a boy! Trying to push him to do something he's not interested in doing will just stress you both out. Plenty of time for that when you potty-train (just kidding!) Relax! Once he walks, you'll be chasing 2 little guys who will probably be going in different directions, so you might look at this as a little break. Hope this helps!

J., my son is 15 months old as well and he is not waling either. He is starting to let go for about 5 seconds at a time, but he would really prefer to crawl. His doctor says that they dont consider it a problem until after 17months. I would not worry about it, but I know how you feel. If you feel more comfortable with the PT coming out, then do it and see what they say. My opinion is that your son is fine. I know too many people whose kids did not walk until 15 or 16 months and they are fine. Let me know how things go.

Mac

I'm sure your little guy is just fine. I have met many babies that started walking around 15 to 16 months and they are just fine! If his pediatrician doesn't think anything is wrong, I would not worry, especially if he is cruising along the furniture. He probably is perfectly capable of walking, but may be a little scared to do it on his own. Does he have any push toys? We got my daughter the Fisher Price Lion that plays silly music when it moves, and I think that really sped up her walking on her own. Once he gets his confidence and realizes walking is fun, pretty soon he will be running all around the house!

I'm sure you have been asked this already, but have you tried getting him a walker?

Have you considered buying an attractive push toy? It worked for my kids

J.,
I have 4 and the first 3 walked by 12-13 months. My 4th child crawled earlier than the other girls, but was the last one to walk. She was born 7/10/07 and is almost 16 months. She just started walking a week ago. Like yours, she was cruising the furniture, but I honestly think she found crawling more efficient, faster, so she preferred to do that to keep up with her big sisters. I've heard that anytime between 9 and 18 months is normal. My cousin's son didn't walk until 18 months, so I'd give it until then before you start worrying.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
S.