Almost 14 Months Old & Not Walking

Every child varies. My first daughter was walking unassisted at 9 months while my second child didn't start until she was 13 months.

My son didn't take his first steps until 13 months. Have they been picking up more on language, learning how to stack blocks, etc? I have heard that tots focus on one skill at a time so if your twins have been saying words lately maybe they are focused on that and not walking. I think the fact that they are cruising and took their first steps is an excellent sign and you will see them walking soon, then you will wonder why you wanted them to walk because you are chasing them everywhere ;) I believe they are perfectly fine!!!

I wouldn't worry too much, just enjoy the non-mobility for right now- you will be constantly on the move soon!! My daughter took her 1st steps about a week before she turned 18 months. As someone else mentioned, they are not considered "behind" until they are 18 months and not cruising or anything. My daughter also took a break from cruising. We think she fell and scared herself... A few things I tried to help her along were push toys, standing her by the wall with a favorite toy in front of her (to encourage her to take a step or two), and holding her hands while she walked to get the feel of it. I know as moms we stress out about everything our kids do/don't do, but I really think your babies are fine. If you are truly really concerned, call their doctor, but I bet it is all ok. No worries! :)
E.

My friend's son didn't walk until 22 months. He did go to PT for a little while. With a little help, he caught on quickly.

Now, you can't catch up to him when he's racing around the backyard, the house, the mall, the grocery store...

C.,

Our son didn't crawl until about 10-11 months and didn't walk until about 15-16 months. I asked the pediatrician about it and she said both of her kids didn't walk until 18 months. If they are cruising, I wouldn't be concerned. To encourage Jake to walk, we bought one of those "popcorn" push toys and it got him going. We also let him walk holding on to our hands and had a push toy walker (not the kind they sit in, the kind they push from behind). I don't know if any of these things truly helped or not or if he just decided to do it when HE wanted to. Lol.

T.

Please don't worry at all about this. Kids are not considered developmentally behind in walking until at least 18 months of age and not walking at all (cruising either). Your kids are doing fine. All kids walk when they are ready. As long as you give them the opportunity to walk, there isn't much you can do. (ie: don't keep them strapped in a car seat, stroller, etc. all day) You can buy those toys that they can walk behind to help them get more confident. The fact that they are cruising tells you that their legs are fine, they just need to build up their confidence. Many children with a developmental delay in the walking area do not like to have pressure put on their legs and won't cruise around. So, don't worry, it will come. Then you will be wondering why you were wishing it would come so much.

My first son walked at a week after his first birthday. My second son took a few steps at 12 months, about 10 steps at 13 months, and then was walking all the time (suddenly, one day he decided it was time) at 14 months (a few days before 15 months).

I think they are just fine. My first son began cruising ALL over with his push walker push toy from about 10 months until he finally walked at about 16 months! At 10 months we were sure he'd walk soon, but he didn't at all. We started calling his push walker his old man walker because he was very dependent on it and would always crawl to it so he could walk where he wanted to go. He also had quite a few ear infections and walked on his toes after loving the jumperoo toy so factors like that could have very well hindered the walking. But I too have heard that some babies don't walk until 18 months. I was one of them when I was a baby I hear and I turned out fine. Maybe with their being twins they are just happy to be on the floor playing together and don't feel the need to walk yet...not motivated on their own yet, which is perfectly fine too.
My second son showed NO signs of walking anytime soon when he turned one. I even told people that the day he took his first steps on the day of his first birthday party. So it is real hard to tell when it will come sometimes. For the next month he'd just take a few steps before he started really walking around.
Hope this helps to ease the worry. They still have plenty of time within the norm.

Hi C.-

My daughter is now 15 mos. and just started walking when she was just over 14 months. I was also kind of worried. She also crawled very late (or so I thought when I compared her to other kids her age) at 13 months. Then both happened all at once and now a month later she's flying around the place. I would talk to your pediatrician but according to a Parenting magazine article I read recently only 50% of kids walk by their first birthday.

Good luck!
D.

I totally understand where you are coming from, C.. I was there too.

My daughter didn't walk till she was 17 mos old, didn't crawl till she was 8-9 months old.

We did seek a physical therapy evaluation through Early Intervention, when she was about 14 months old. Just to make sure there are no concerns. The physical therapist was reassured that my daughter was cruising, able to bear weight on her legs, and had good muscle tone.

She did tell me to put more toys on the sofas/chairs so my daughter would have to stand more on her feet rather than sit down, as well as force her to cruise around more.

Atlas she decided to suddenly start walking when she turned 17 months.

So my point is that it sounds like your sons are doing everything to build the foundation to walking. Just encourage them to stand more by placing toys higher up.

If you are still concerned (as any good mama will be), it will not hurt to get a evaluation through Early Intervention. They are very professional and FREE. Even if they may not need PT at this point, the therapist can give you some very helpful suggestions how to encourage them to walk.

Good luck!

Hi C.,

My son started walking around 13.5 months and did it all of a sudden. He had been cruising for a while but never stood unsupported, and one day he just got up and started walking. My mom told me I did the same thing, but not until I was 18 months old!

As long as your doctor isn't concerned, there probably isn't any reason for you to be either. Once they start walking, it gets more complicated for you, so enjoy this time now!

Good luck!
L.

My daughter took her first steps at about 11 months, then completely stopped--wanted nothing to do with walking for another 4-5 weeks after that. She would just sit and rarely stand at all. I think she must have gotten spooked and decided she just wasn't ready after all. I've heard others say the same thing before. I would give it a few more weeks, then talk to your doctor if you're still concerned. Good luck!

I also have twin boys and one of them started walking at 13 months, which is when the other one finally started officially crawling! My later twin didn't walk until he was almost 18 months old! I was afraid I was going to have to carry that child for the rest of my life! He is now 7 and a really super athlete. Some kids just take their time getting to a milestone and then take off like a rocket. Enjoy your babies, it goes by so quickly!

My daughter was crusing around holding on to toys and furniture starting at 8 months, but she didn't take her first steps alone until the start of 15 months. We were worried, but we let her do it, and she was walking like she had known what to do all along.

My daughter didn't walk until just about 15 months and my best friends son didn't walk until almost 16 months. YOur boys are just fine, they just aren't ready to walk yet. I know it's easy to worry but I would bet they are just fine.

My 8 year old son did not start walking until 17 months. He never crawled either, just scooted along on his little bottom using his hands to glide across the floor We kind of thought it was a little unusual, but once he started walking his development was right on the charts for his age. Now, when we look at his baby pictures, his big brothers joke about how we use to call him Scooter. I think your twins will be just fine! Sometimes a different environment will encourage babies to walk. ex. outdoors at the park, a resturant or mall or someone elses house may be provide a new and exciting place for a baby to explore.

Have fun with your twin boys!

M.

My niece did not walk at all. When she was 18 months old, she had tubes put in her ears. The next day she was up and walking. Her tubes have recently fallen out and she is starting to loose coordination when she walks. Her speech is also affected. She is getting the tubes replaced this month. I did not see anyone mention this. I just wanted to throw this out since I don’t know if your sons have a history of ear infections. M.

My daughter did not walk until she was 16 months old. She was doing what your sons are doing, but then one day she just decided to walk. Like you, my husband and I were worried, but the doctor told us that some kids don't walk until they're 18 months old. So, no need to worry ~ they'll walk when they're ready. :-)