Need Walking Tips...

These kinds of things just happen on their own. Before you know it he'll be toddling all over the place and you'll wonder, now how do I get him to sit still?

there is no need to rush this - walking will happen when he is ready... 12-15 months is the normal range... give him lots of floor time, dont always carry him everywhere. Walking early doesnt mean that a child is better smarter or more devloped... some kids jsut walk earlier than others.... my oldest walked at 10 month, my 3rd child walked at 15 months.... my current 10 month old child is 4 weeks into crawling and not really interested in standing up.... there is nothing to do to get him to enjoy moving on his own.. it will all happen in its own time. It could happen very fast. I have seen kids go from just beginning to craw to walking in 6 weeks.... relax

This is not at all an unusual pattern, so as the other mamas said, don't worry.

*Do realize* that even once he starts walking, it will take him months to perfect. And he will still prefer to hold your hands a lot!

If you are on Kaiser, you can talk to your pediatrician about a referral for a pediatric physical therapy session. Before you react to that idea, I'll tell you our experience--our girl was a very late walker and exhibited no problems, just didn't really crawl or even want to pull up much. We were sure she'd be a less frustrated kid if she could move herself around better. We resisted the idea at first, but took her to the PT (for free) and the therapist showed us some ways to encourage her simply by using some better postures and methods for pulling up, etc. Our daughter hadn't figured out how to do this efficiently, so she wasn't bothering to try. Being on the large end of the growth chart, it was just a lot of hassle trying to figure out how to move around.

I suggest you get down and crawl with him. Crawling is important for brain development. He is too young to walk, he should be crawling. I know, babies younger walk, but why force it when he needs to crawl. People who get brain injuries crawl to help their brain. If they are unable to, someone, or some people move their legs and arms to simulate crawling to help the brain. If you get down and crawl with him, he might pick it up. It might take several tries.

My son was the same way. My husband and I used to sit a few feet apart, facing each other, and Sam (my son) would take a few steps back and forth from mommy to daddy and back. This was a fun game that gave him confidence. It still took a while for him to venture out on his own...it WILL happen! Sooner than you think :)

Hi Kim,
Our kids did the same thing.
The thing that got them walking was a cookie being held by mom or dad from across the room.
Have him standing from across the room and tell him he needs to walk to you for the cookie.
Once he realizes he can do it, he'll be running around the house in no time.
I wouldn't worry about it though. He'll get the hang of walking on his own. Sounds like he's really close. He just doesn't feel sure of himself yet.

Hi Kim!

All you need is tylenol and time... unfortunately for your back, they need to figure it out on their own. My daughter didn't walk on her own until over 14 months, but wanted to walk while holding our hands since she was about 11 months. He will eventually get the hang of it, he is just building his confidence and learning to trust himself (both very important lessons).

One thing that may have helped her was to walk in the sand. We have a park near our house that has a "beach" area on the lake and we took her there and took her shoes off and she seemed to have better balance. I dont know if it actually assisted in her learning to walk, but if nothing else, it was a lot of fun.

Another thing I have heard is that kids that walk prior to 13 months fall and injur themselves worse than those who are "late" walkers. Also, they are more cautious (the ones that walk later). So, its not so bad that he isn't mobile yet and he is taking his time to master the skill before jetting out on his own. Besides, once he is mobile your world will change forever! Trust me, its nice to have a child who cant get too far from you. I miss those days a little! :)

Kim,

Your son sounds like my daughter at the time. She is now 15 months old and has been walking independently since she was about 11 months. Her main motivation was, and is, her big brother. She HAS to do everything that he's doing, even if she's too little.

Crawling is an important milestone, but not all babies crawl. There is a small percentage that skip crawling and go straight to walking. Eventually they may get down and crawl, but not always.

As for him wanting to hold on to you or your husband's fingers, he see the two of you as his safe harbor, and is trusting and confident that you two won't let him get hurt. I still sometimes have a sore back from hunching over and walking with my two (my son is 4 1/2).

I would praise the heck out of him for being such a big boy, and maybe you and your husband can sit on the floor, legs outstretched, feet touching and have him walk back and forth between you. Both my kids loved that "game" and eventually were able to increase the distance between our outstretched hands so they were taking more steps independently instead of holding on.

Hope this helps,
Good Luck!!!
Melissa

Thinking about it still recalls the pain in my back. My son did that for 3 of months. We bought all the tools he can hold on. He just wanted to hold our hands. The best buy was a walker and that didn't slow him down as he was ready to walk, just needed the security. He never craw or anything like that. From the "baby-born" or our hands he moved to the walker. I used to hold a toy he will like or a snack and would ask him to come and get it. Getting his attention on something else really worked. He just didn't realized that he was walking by him-self. If I made a big deal out of it he won't do it for couple of days, so I just stopped doing it. I just started increasing the distance without pointing that he is walking by him-self. Well, one day he just got up and started walking by him-self, two weeks later he was running and he loved it. It looks like your little guy need confidence. Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about it too much - my daughter walked closer to 15 months. My personal theory is that she only did once she know she could do it perfectly. She could stand up on her own and walk on her own. I knew other kids who walked earlier but couldn't do it all and were really frustrated. But then again she'd never try to walk with our assistance - she refused any help.

My understanding is that it is VERY important that your child learns to crawl as there are brain connections that get built during this stage of movement - and that it is the movement itself that makes these connections. My suggestion is to not push the walking and force him to learn to crawl to get his movement.

Best wishes,
Sarah

My dd did this at about 8 1/2 months and by 9 she was walking. I suggest just walking him around like you're doing and knowing it'll pass quickly. Sounds like he loves walking!

My suggestion would be....time. What a backbreaking time this is, I wasn't too fond of this period either. Now when I see moms and dads stooped over holding their kid's hand, I think "enjoy" it while it lasts, they'll be running away from you in no time. Good luck!

He sounds like other babies that I have known that just skipped the crawling stage altogether. Sorry I don't have any advice except to say that it should be a pretty short stage--most likely he will be walking on his own within a couple of months

Hi Kim,
My son showed signs of wanting to walk early but still wanted a finger or two to hold onto for a couple months. Now he is independant and doesn't "need" me anymore. :) I would allow this stage to work itself out and hold his hand while you can. Your son is on the young end of the spectrum for walking so I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep doing what you are doing and he'll be off and running before you know it.
B.

I think the suggestions below are great. It sounds like he has gotten very used to you or your partner being there to "help" when he gets frustrated. Perhaps allowing him to experience a little more frustration would be helpful. It might not feel "nice" on your part and of course nobody WANTS their child to feel discomfort...but on the other hand, it might help in the long run. He might get used to you always "coming to the rescue" in other situations, and not realize that he has it in him to control his movements.

We thought our grandson would NEVER walk and he didn't until he was 18 mos old...he scooted on his behind..then within a week he crawled and then started walking and is allover now. We were concerned and the doctor told us to start making him go after things himself, putting things within crawling distance for him to go get himself. He was just fine and did it in his own sweet time.take advantage ofthe timehe is not getting into everything LOL L.