15 Month Old Not Walking Yet

My daughter did not walk until she was 16 months. She could crawl, climb and stand with support and cruise with support, but the walking came later. When she did finally walk, she walked like a monkey for months. Arms all out and teetered like she would fall at any second. She is 6 now and walks like a champ:)!!! Don't worry, He will do it in his own time. Also I have heard that children who crawl longer are more coordinated than those who walk early. Crawling takes a lot of coordination. Hope that helps.
K.

My son didn't walk until he was around 18 months. He didn't even really crawl until he was about 1 year old. He's always been a bigger boy, so I think that had a lot to do with it. Each child develops on their own schedule though. My son knew that we would come pick him up if he cried, so that probably didn't help either. But you'd never know he was a late walker now -- he's running and jumping as much as the other kids his age.

Hey L., I have 4 kids, 17 and 13 (boys) and 10 and 5 (girls). My 13 year old did not start walking until he was 18 mths. I just knew something was wrong. I took him to the Dr. and he just said that my son was lazy and will walk when he is ready. My advice to you is do not worry. He will walk in do time. When he starts, It will be hard to get him to sit down! :-)

my son was 17 1/2 months before he walked alone. Don't worry yet. My dr. said if he wasn't walking by 18 months then they'd start investigating as to why, but he's fine. He spoke pretty early so he was mostly concentrating on that instead of the physical aspects. He's 2 1/2 now and he's doing fine. It's too early to worry.

My 4yr old walked at 15 months after crawling since he was 8 months old. The ped was just starting to get worried because he felt 15 months was the beginning of "slight delay" in upward mobility. They tested my son to make sure he had matching motor function on both sides, no other physical delays, etc. When all was said and done, the ped had to chalk it up to him just not wanting to walk. When he did decide to, he flat took off. He'd been cruising around the furniture for a few months and would walk while pushing something but just never let go of anything. Plus, he was like a bullet on his knees and I think he knew he could get somewhere faster on his knees than on his feet.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I remember my sister's first son didn't walk until 18 months. Her second child had to go to the chiropractor and that made all the difference in the world...something was out in her 2nd child and when she went to the chiropractor and he adjusted her, she began moving normal and finally able to walk. (my sis noticed something was up, which was why the chiro.)

You could have him looked at by the chiropractor to just make sure, but honestly....it's normal.

Hi L.,
I am sure you have already received a ton of replies saying it is absolutely normal. I have an almost 4 year old who took her first step at 13mths and then was running by 15mths. My second one was about 15 1/2 months before she decided to take her first step. My cousin told me the later kids start to walk the smarter they are. :-) Don't you just love wives tales. So not to worry. I thought for sure my 2nd one would be walking at 12mths, but no she enjoyed crawling around too much I guess. I also realized I was picking her up much more than my 1st. I have a friend who said their kid didn't walk until she was 18mths old. That kid must be really smart! C.

Don't worry at all. My second child didn't walk until he was 17 months old. He is almost six now and is perfectly normal. All of my children walked "late" but he was the latest. Give him time, if he is cruising and pushing things, he is doing just fine.

As long as he is moving both sides of his body and is standing up and walking behind something I would not worry about it. Between 9 and 15 months is what is considered "developmentally within normal limits." This can extend up to 18 months also. Nine to fifteen is just the average. He is walking so I wouldn't worry about. If there were no signs of walking, then I would check with a doc. If he is pretty steady on his feet walking behind something, then it won't be long until he is walking unassisted. I wouldn't worry about it.

My 1st Q is, what does the pediatrician say??????????????? My boys were walking at 9 and 10 months ; 15 mo is somewhat late. Only thing I can think of, is he carried alot?? This can make him not NEED to walk. Do you sit on the floor away from him, and coax him to you, with love and happiness? That may help. Is he progressing normally in other arenas? I am a bit concerned, and would love to hear from you...

I wolud not be concerned at this time. Both of my children were late walkers, one at 18 mos and the other st 20 mos. I constatly got, "Oh, she's/he's not walking." If your pediatrician has given you no reason to be concerned, everthing will be fine. Good luck!

I didn't start walking until 16 months and I walk just fine now!

Hi Lindsey, both my kids (son-5 and daughter-2) didn't start walking until close to their 16th month. When it happened, they went immediately to running. You could always double check with your pediatrician, but it sounds like he is fine.

Sincerely, W. M.

I wouldn't be concerned until 18 months. My five children walked at the following months: 14, 9, 12, 18, and not yet...(11 months old and not even close yet). I took my daughter (now 4) to the doctor when she was 17 months old because she wasn't walking by herself. The doctor said she was just taking a while because the soles of her feet still had a lot of baby fat that was making it hard to balance. Within a month she was walking everywhere by herself. I was worried at the time, but it worked out fine. Hang in there a little longer.

Hi L.,
My son didn't walk until 17 months, and then he went from crawling to running!! He has been stubborn with all of his milestones (wouldn't eat anything but breastmilk for 10 months! and didn't potty train until the week he turned 4), but he is very very smart, very coordinated, very talented artistically and musically, has always been able to do puzzles quicker than other children his age, and seems to be normal in every way (except for a little temper issue). Do not worry about this yet. Give him time. Some children just have to do things their own way and in their own time. Continue giving him lots of love & encouragement. Most of these things that worry us so much tend to work out just fine.
Best of everything to you & your family.

My son started walking on Christmas day. He was 15 1/2 months old. I asked his doctor about him not walking at his 12-month check-up. She told me since his motor skills seemed to be ok, it would not be a concern until 18 months.

My son skipped the take 2 steps and fall stage that a lot of babies go through and went straight from crawling to walking very steady.

I wouldn't worry about your son. He will surprise you and just take off one day.

L.,

My son didn't start walking till about 15 1/2 months. He never crawled just scooted on his bottom. When I talked to the doctor about it he recommended a play shopping cart to get my son walking. Within 1 week of my son playing with the shopping cart - he was walking. His walking was not just a couple of steps here and there, but all over the upstairs of our house. Hang in there b/c I worried too about my son.

If you have any concerns, I would also check with your pediatrician. I was not home the first year with my son and found out that my in-laws were still carrying him around a lot and not giving him enough tummy time, etc. which is why the pediatrician thinks it took him longer to walk. Good luck and don't worry he'll be walking before you know it.

L.,

My son didn't walk until he was 17 months old. Trust me if he has the ability to walk he will take off eventually. Just be patient and try not to compare him to other children. All kids are different. I'm sure he will be taking off in no time.

Take care,
S.

I would talk to your ped. My son did not walk until he was 16 1/2 months old. I had concerns as well. I talked with his ped. and they were not concerned. They said that some kids are just late walkers. I did get his feet checked by a bone specialist that his ped. referred me to. It was really just to make me feel better. My sons feet rolled in a little. The specialist said that was normal developement. I would try not to worry but would talk to his dr to be on the safe side. If he is walking now holding onto things, I think it may just be a confidence level.Im sure it's a huge deal for him to "let go". He will let go when he is ready :)
Good luck :)

The range for "normal" is a range! My Benji did not walk until a week before 16 months (when my Pediatrician was going to refer us to physical therapy.) Now at 20 months he is running and can pedal a tricycle some. The down side to this is that many other moms have kids who walk earlier and it makes you feel that it is not normal- rest assured it still is. the other downside is that Benji did not "toddle". No tentative walking... He went from power crawling and walking while holding something to full tilt running. Also have your pediatrician check his feet and hips, It probably is not an issue but it is always good to ask- good luck!

A.

Same thing with my grandson. He is healthy, but I was concerned because a neice and nephew who were younger, walked before they were one year. The pediatrician and parents are okay, so I am happy.
If your pedi says all is well, be patient.

girl I can tell you about a late bloomer. The biggest of my twin boys didnt start walking until he was 18 months! And to add to it, he was about 33 lbs, so I (115 lbs) was toting around a 33 lbs baby who I had seen walk a time or two but he just chose not to do it alot. He also walked on his knees & crawled. ??? Don't get it, but he likes to do things his way & in his time. He is very "his own little person".

Your baby will walk, just let him do it when he chooses. All babies walk at some point, although it does seem like you'll be toting them to get their highschool diploma-lol From what i have been told you really shouldn't worry until they are 18 mos & not walking. My son started exactly on the day he turned 18 mos, like he knew he had to walk or else I'd be taking him to the dr-lol

Hope this helps!

My son did not walk until the day before he turned 18 mos. His doctor was not worried because he had strong leg muscles. It acctually was better that he did wait to walk. He fell alot less and was running withing a month. He had many less accidents than some kids that walk sooner. He is now 2 1/2 and you would never know that he was a late walker. I am sure he will be walking before you know it then you better watch out because then the fun really starts.

He's pushing mom. That's a start. Let him go at his own pace. Some children walk later than that. Just keep encouraging him.

Hi L.- I am a first time mom to be, so I can only respond because of the fact that I myself didn't walk until around my 15th month. My mother is a nurse, and she told me that while I was jibber jabbering away, I wasn't walking. She mentioned that MANY babies are this way- much like adults in that you are either usually good at English OR Math,but rarely both- some children just pick up certain things more quickly than others! DON'T worry- as long as he is active and moving his arms and legs and pushing off things- you are fine! ;) I went on to get my college degree and play SOCCER! hahahaha
Best,
D.

I would give it another few months and not be worried. If he's walking holding on to things then he's just a step away... he'll get there.

My first child didn't walk until she was 15 months. She pushed toys, walked around on her knees, and was not frustrated at all. Then one day she walked and she walked very well right away. Every baby is different so you may have nothing to worry about. Check with is pediatrician if you are seeing other physical concerns. Most likely he just isn't ready yet. Good luck!

I just went through a similar problem with my now 18 month old. She wasn't walking and her doctor got concerned so he had us do an evaluation with early intervention. The lady came out did an evaluation of my daughter and at the time she said it was okay that she was not walking since babies typically tend to start walking between the ages of 9-15 months (at the time she was 13 months) and we were instructed to call her back if she was not walking at 15 months. By 15 months she still wasn't walking but we were out of town and by the time we came home she had started taking little steps on her own and within a few weeks of that she was walking like a champ! I honestly wouldn't be concerned since he is able to walk while holding on to stuff. If you are concerned though, mention it to your pediatrician. It is "normal" for kids to not walk until up to 18 months. Some babies just like to do things in their own time!

My oldest was 16 months before he started walking, and almost 2 before he started talking. He's a strong, healthy, smart 7 year old now, very athletic and articulate :-) When he did start walking, he took to running almost right away, too, and when he did start talking, it was in full sentences. So he caught up almost instantly.

If he's not passing other developmental milestones, that might be a cause for concern, but if he's standing on his own, pushing things, cruising while holding onto the table or other things, there's no need to worry!

My first son walked at 10 months, while my second didn't think about walking until he was 15 months. He didn't need to...his brother got him everything he needed and he was an extremely fast crawler. Why walk slow when he could crawl faster?

Just have his pediatrician monitor him during his normal checkups.

Hi L.,

I agree with the other ladies completely. It's not abnormal at all.

I also agree that chiropractic care will help. I discovered chiropractic when my first daughter had a seizure at 14 months and I took my second daughter to the chiropractor straight from the hospital to get her first adjustment. I feed my girls good food, and our house is detoxified from synthetic chemicals but chiropractic care adds that last, or first :) dimension of overall good wellness care.

God bless!

M.