My DD is not walking independently yet. She is 17 months old. I have gotten her evaluated by EI and she does not qualify for services and they do not believe she has a problem. She was never a crawler and scooted on her hiney to get around. They feel its more of a security issue and when she's ready she'll walk. She climbs all over the furniture, does stairs, and walks holding my fingers. Anyway, I am on top of this and try to continue to feel positive, that she will walk shortly. So over the past two weeks two family have told me its my fault that she is not walking on her own yet. When I asked how this could possibly be my fault, they responded that its because I pick her up when she asks!!! I got pissed, but then I felt horrible because could I have seriously done this?
Re: Could this possibly be my fault?
No, this is not your fault. I hate when my family members want to put their two cents in to why or why not DS is doing something. So aggravating. What on earth could possibly have done to make this your fault?
If they think it's a confidence issue and EI is not concerned, just give her a little more time. My sister didn't walk until about 17 months also, but my mom says that was my fault, cause I brought her everything!! Good luck!
No, its not your fault, all babies walk at different ages. I would not worry if the doc is not worried.
I would try to encourage her to walk. Place her back and the back of her heels on a wall (she will feel secure) then with your arms open and very close to her, encourage her to come to you. Continue to do this until she takes a step (may take several times or sessions). Then once she takes that first step then slowly move back so she can take more steps. This is what I did with my dd.
IGNORE THEM!!! My DD didn't walk until the day that she turned 17 months. She didn't crawl til 13 months because she just preferred to roll everywhere (really funny looking back on it now). I did not carry DD around a lot. She was always a pretty independent baby. The only things we did to promote walking was give her a walking toy and once she started cruising we would encourage her to come to us (while sitting about 3 steps away).
DD is now a VERY active toddler that RUNS everywhere. She is also ahead of the charts on a lot of skills like her vocabulary.
No it's not your fault. If ir's just a matter of her needing to hold your hand tell them what I told my FIL, from 2-9 you'll be trying to make her hold your hand why fight her on not holding your hand now. Eventually DD got brave enough to walk without holding my hand, it just can take some time for them to gain that confidence.
If E.I isn't concerned I wouldn't be either.
I can't believe people would say that to a mother! How effing rude!
Give her time, she'll walk when she's good and ready.
Ah jeez, ignore your family!
My first son didn't really start talking until he was 2.5 or so. The Xmas he was about to turn 2, we were visiting my in-laws, and his cousin who's a few months younger (so she was like 18 months or so), was saying a lot more than he was. My MIL actually told me the reason his cousin was talking was because she went to day care and was around more kids than my son. Which is totally not something that effects how soon a kid talks, but still managed to make me sort of feel like crap. Sigh. So yeah, people have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to development!
Babies and kids do things at their own pace. Our culture is really hyper-aware of milestones and when they're achieved. Hang in there!
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)