Not walking at 16 months

REOM · January 2010

Do I worry yet?

I have been really trying not to worry, because she has done everything on the late side. But she is 16 months today and I'm starting. She pulls up, cruises, and can walk with a push toy but can't seem to keep her balance (maybe it's her giant head?!)

What do you think?

GrowingFamily · January 2010

No, you should not be worried. The average age for walking is actually 18 months, believe it or not!! Our 1st & 3rd children walked at 10 mos. Our 2nd child didn't walk until 13 1/2 months. Now, our 4th (and biggest, by far) child is almost 15 mos & JUST took his first unassisted steps last week. He also has a big head and is a big boy (29lbs). He was 9lbs., 9oz & 21 1/2" at birth, so I knew his milestones would be later, as they all have been. Our other children weighed between 19-21lbs at one year & this boy was 27lbs at his 1 year check up!!

There are so many factors that go into walking that there is a very wide spectrum for "normal". You have nothing to worry about at this point!

zigby · January 2010

Enjoy it!!

I would probably be worried though my friends little boy didn't start walking until he was eighteen months old and the doc was not concerned...he said it wasn't a milestone anymore...I would probably call the ped if you're concerned to be on the safe side other than that just see what happens in the next month.

Good luck!

auggiedoggy · January 2010

I'm a pediatric PT and I worked in EI for a long time. My daughter walked at 14 months and my son walked at 17 months. In fact, my DS belly crawled until 12 months. I wasn't worried. Based on your brief description, it sounds like she's gettting there!

auggiedoggy · January 2010

And I have to say...I don't agree that the average age for walking is 18 months! Where did that number come from??

true_norskie · January 2010

DD1 didn't walk until a week shy of 18 months. She was always progressing, just on the later side: crawling - 12 mos, pulling up - 14 mos, cruising - 15 mos, walking while holding our hands - 16 mos, first unassisted steps - 17 mos and FINALLY walking at 18 months. Because she was always progressing we didn't worry.

DD2 took her first unassisted steps three weeks ago. Today, she walked more than crawled (prior to today, she mostly crawled unless you asked her to walk). I'd guess within a week or so we'll officially call her a walker. I think our youngest are close in age (within a couple weeks?). It just sort of happened.

And DH and I were on the later side so they had genetics working against them.

If she stops making progress, I'd worry. If her pedi is concerned, I'd worry. Until then, do what you can to encourage it (DD2 LOVED walking to her big sister) but don't stress too much.

GrowingFamily · January 2010

auggiedoggy:

And I have to say...I don't agree that the average age for walking is 18 months! Where did that number come from??

Maybe I worded that wrong..what I was trying to say was that by 18 mos most children are walking & that before that, it's not worrisome if they are not. That is what my pedi told us, at least.

shopgirl_07 · January 2010

The average age for walking most certainly is not 18 months. It's actually the very latest end of the "normal" spectrum, but definitely not the average.

auggiedoggy · January 2010

GrowingFamily:
auggiedoggy:

And I have to say...I don't agree that the average age for walking is 18 months! Where did that number come from??

Maybe I worded that wrong..what I was trying to say was that by 18 mos most children are walking & that before that, it's not worrisome if they are not. That is what my pedi told us, at least.

Oh! Okay! That makes sense!

wellfleet04 · January 2010

Hi again! Kate and Emi have a lot in common, including the later walking and the gigantic noggins. Kate did not walk until 4 days before she turned 18 months. She stood unassisted for the first time at 17.5 months. My pedi was not worried. 18 months is NOT the average age for walking, but it is the "outer edge of the normal range." If she's cruising and pulling up I would not be too worried, but maybe a visit to a PT could help speed things along.

FWIW, Kate is still "behind" on her gross motor milestones, but I am no longer worried about it. She always eventually gets there, just later.

REOM · January 2010

OK, thanks!

I have been trying not to worry, but its hard. She is progressing, so we're happy about that. Hopefully she will be running around with her sister soon, would love to get her off the ground!

Thanks for your kind words

wellfleet04 · January 2010

Oh, I know! I really wanted Kate to start walking already, too. She was 31 lbs and I was pregnant and I just wanted her to do it already. She did it all at once--2 days in between her fist steps and full time walker. A week later, she was running.

I have a question for you, actually. Are either of your girls on dairy yet? If so, how did you ease it in and when? Kate outgrew her intolerance at about 8 months, but Ben still seems to have issues. I'm wondering when (if) I should challenge him again. Thanks!

debs1018 · January 2010

I would say if she isnt walking by 18 months then call EI. Sounds like she is getting the hang of it. And I am not sure if I read a PP wrong, but did someone say walking isnt a milestone?? Really?? WOW!

Heidisean · January 2010

Hey, I am a pediatric OT and do the evaluations for EI for the past 11 years. If she is doing everything except for actually letting go and walking independently then I would give her 1-2 more months. By 18 months if she is not walking than she would actually be considered delayed. At this time she is in the later end of normal gross motor development. If you are worried have her evaluated by EI but I would hold off 1-2 more months and see what happends. Until then put her toys on the couch so that she has to stand and play with them to increase her standing balance. Walk her with one hand held and have her push those push toys on a variety of surfaces (rug, hard wood, if it is nice out then on the grass or uneven sidewalks). GL and page me if you have any questions (or e-mail me through facebook).

REOM · January 2010

wellfleet04:

Oh, I know! I really wanted Kate to start walking already, too. She was 31 lbs and I was pregnant and I just wanted her to do it already. She did it all at once--2 days in between her fist steps and full time walker. A week later, she was running.

I have a question for you, actually. Are either of your girls on dairy yet? If so, how did you ease it in and when? Kate outgrew her intolerance at about 8 months, but Ben still seems to have issues. I'm wondering when (if) I should challenge him again. Thanks!

Unfortunately, no on the dairy

Gina gets really bad diarrhea if she eats anything with dairy or a dairy byproduct. I do let her have a slice of pizza without cheese at parties, and just deal with the mess later. I haven't tried with Emi yet, although I probably should b/c every child is different.

Good luck with your yours, I hope they outgrow it quickly.

nettie · January 2010

My DD was a late walker. Her pediatrician told me to call her if she wasn't walking by 17 months..she started walking at exactly 17 months...she was a late crawler too, but she could say a million words and talked in sentences really early-go figure..

AnnapolisLari · January 2010

DS didn't walk until almost 16 months. I wouldn't worry too much yet.

It was his long torso and giant head that kept him off balance. Once he did walk, he was running within a week. I think he just waited until he really knew how before he did, if you KWIM.

babykin18 · January 2010

I might be late to reply to this, but she is still in normal range. When we were in PT school we were told anywhere between 10-18 months is normal for first steps unsupported. As long as she is pulling to stand and cruising she will get it before you know it!

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