17 months and still not walking...

SRodi811 · February 2011

I'm starting to get worried, because DD is 17 months old (today) and she still isn't walking. She will take a few steps at a time and has done 4 or 5 on a few occasions, but that is about it.

Anyone else have a LO around this age that isn't walking? What did you do, or what did your doctor suggest?

Thanks!

MCapler · February 2011

Try not to worry about it too much if she is already taking a few steps here and there. She is probably just not confident enough yet. The books say most babies will walk anywhere between 9 and 18 months. Is she crusing around the house on furniture and such? Make sure she is getting plenty of exercise on those legs. Hold her hand and walk with her around the house. That is what we did with our son and it really seemed to help. He was 15 months when he started, but we worked with him quite a bit. Now is is into EVERYTHING!!! LOL. So try to enjoy because once she starts, you will not get a break!

lookinfor2 · February 2011

Have you tried a push cart or push toy. That really helped my baby. I understand the worry but I would just encourage walking as much as possible. I would also stand a couple of feet away from her when she is standing and encourage her to come to you, this also helped.

SRodi811 · February 2011

Yes, she has a push toy and goes crazy pushing it throughout the house. And she walks around holding onto the furniture and also holding onto just one of our hands.

I think she just must not be confidant, because when we try to get her to walk to us, she will take like one or two steps and then drop and crawl.

Trying not to worry....

hopanka · February 2011

My son started walking at 17 months as well. It doesn't have to mean anything, other than that she's starting to walk on the latter side of "typical range". If she doesn't start soon, for sure mention it to your pedi during her 18-month check-up. Your pedi would be able to refer you guys to the appropriate OT/PT specialist for an eval. If you are really worried, you can always set up the eval yourself now. Evals cost around $200 where I live (CA).

Good luck!

lujain · February 2011

My DD walked at 17 months as well. We got a few tips from the physical therapist at the Regional Center:

Have her wear supportive shoes, like sneakers, even indoors.

Put her toys on a table or couch to encourage her to stand up and play instead of sitting down.

Try not to carry her around to give her opportunities to move.

Asquared · February 2011

I've heard at 18 months if they aren't walking the docs get a little concerned, but she's taking steps so that's good! Does she get to see kids close to her age walking around?

emberlee3 · February 2011

DS started walking a few days before he turned 17 months. He immediately became a full-time walker--so obviously he was working on the skills while still holding on to my hand and the furniture. Sounds like your LO is physically ready, but she just needs to make up her mind to do it! Be patient.

SailorGray · February 2011

My guy will be 18 months on Saturday and he isn't walking. I get your concern. It is tough. He LOVES to cruise the furniture and push his push toys around. He also loves pushing his stroller when we go to places like the mall. At 15 months the doc was somewhat concerned and he walked with him around their office. He could see that my guy has the capability to walk, but not the confidence.

Has your baby had a lot of ear infections? My guy started getting them at 14 months and pretty much had them straight until a few weeks ago when he had tubes put in. The ENT doc said that he will probably be behind in walking and vocab because his equilibrium has been off for a few months and because he hasn't been able to hear well.

He goes to the doc next week for his 18 month checkup and I am sure the walking thing will be discussed. I hate to say this, but it is nice to "meet" another Mom who has the same concern as me. We will get our babes walking soon : )

stellasmommy · February 2011

DD will be 17 months on tuesday and is still not walking. she only just recently (last 2 weeks) started using her push toys. now she can't get enough of them. she'll take a couple of steps here and there, but if it's more than 3, she drops to her knees to crawl. our pedi is only concerned if she's not walking by the time she's 18 months. i figure that's still a month away, which is still quite a bit of time. i worry sometimes, but since DD is so mobile, and you can tell it's just a question of confidence, i'm able to relax a bit.

avbliss · February 2011

My BFF's daughter didn't start really walking till a day before she turned 18mo. But once she started she was a pro! No wobbling or falling down. They say kids who walk late are much more proficient at it because they learned how to do it right before really getting going.

MrsZiz · February 2011

DD is 18 1/2 months and JUST started walking. She was doing like your DD and taking a few steps here and there and then one day started taking off! I held a wash cloth in my hand and had her hold it in her hand and then started letting go of my end. It sounds silly but a physical therapist at my work suggested it and it worked! I think it helped build her confidence.

benkari · February 2011

My DD will be 17 months on the 17th and is doing the same things as your DD even after seeing her brothers run circles around her. I may have to try the wah cloth trick!

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