Not walking yet

Hi all,
I KNOW I shouldn't worry, but Jacob is still not walking. I'm desperate for him to walk. He's cruising and in the last week has started to stand up without holding onto something. He can stand on his own and walk between my husband and I but a lot of time it is momentum I think. He can walk pretty well holding onto one of my hands, but I can tell his balance isn't great. He is top heavy (big head). He also has small feet I think (size 4). His sister's feet are much bigger and wider (size 5). Here's the deal though. There is no EI here in Zambia. Should i just relax or try to find a PT here who might know something about babies. He has always been much slower in the gross motor dept than his sister (walked at 12.5 months). He was a bum shuffler and although he does it a lot now, will crawl. What do you think?
Melissa

 

He's still well within range of normal. The normal range for walking is 9-18 months.

That being said, my daughter is 18.5 months and barely walking. She's done it on her own, but she normally needs a huge amount of prodding to get her going. She's only 16.5 months adjusted though. It's hard, because her sister was walking at 11 months, and you always want to compare. But they are two individual kids with individual timetables.

Maybe talk with your pedi about it, that's where I would start. But don't stress.

 

It sounds like he is close. Like PP said, the normal range is between 12-18 months. As long as he is actively mobile on his own, I wouldn't be too concerned. All of the sudden he will be running!

 

I know it's frustrating, but it sounds like he is getting close.

 

taking a step unassited between you and DH IS considered walking.

My dd didn't take one step before 17 months and which is still considered within the normal range. (she is almost 2 and running around all over the place now!!) I think you probably need to just continue what you are doing, giving him opportunities to try and it will come.

(my dd had size 3 feet at 17 months)

Believe me, when he is running around your house getting into EVERYTHING, you are going to want to kick yourself for wanting him to walk so badly. :laughing:

Hang in there. He sounds like he is still in the normal range and doing things in his own time. It is not fair to compare different children's development. I know with twins it is so hard not to but they are different children.

Hang in there!

 

I know it's hard not to worry, but like pp said, it is still within the normal range. :hug99: You say that he just started standing up on his own with pulling up on something? Well, after my ds did that it was around 2 weeks later that he was walking. So I am hoping that is the case for your little guy as well. These guys just want to do things on their own time. :hug99:

 

QUOTE(sharongl @ Oct 17 2007, 01:23 PM) [snapback]454888[/snapback]
It sounds like he is close. Like PP said, the normal range is between 12-18 months. As long as he is actively mobile on his own, I wouldn't be too concerned. All of the sudden he will be running!

I agree.. it is so hard being patient! Sounds like he wants to! Keep the faith!

 

I would not worry about it. I'd be impatient (like you are), but it sounds like he's making progress. If he's freestanding already, he'll probably be walking in a month or two.

I don't know that foot size has anything to do with it (Amy walked with size 2 feet), but FWIW, Sarah's head is definitely bigger and she walked 3 months later than Amy!

 

:hug99: Hang in there Melissa :hug99: It truly is hard not to worry! Jacob really does sound like he is ALMOST there. Evan did the same thing and within a few days he just decided to take off. It's only natural to worry and compare the two, but I would give it until the 18 month mark before becoming concerned.

 

One of my girls also isn't walking yet. She can stand, cruise and walk a short distance but she has a really hard time keeping her balance. She's also top heavy with a big head and chunky body. BUT ... today we shopped for new shoes. Once she had a good pair of shoes on her, she had no problems balancing and walking. She walked the best at that shoe store I've ever seen her walk. I was shocked. So the issue was really balance and she was having a hard time staying on her feet. The funny thing also is, after we took the shoes off she did so much better the rest of the day on her bare feet. I think she just had a revelation that she could do it. I think a good pair of shoes is key. My girls were wearing the soft Circo shoes from Target up till now. I see now that they really weren't helping her. They were probably really hard to balance in. The kind we bought were Ecco brand mary jane style. They have a higher ankle, a sturdy rubber sole and a cushy inside. We also bought stride rite brown leather mary janes that look like a sneaker hybrid. It was amazing how well she could walk once I got a good pair of shoes on her. HTH!

These are the shoes -

http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/kids/infants/...112/detail.aspx

http://www.striderite.com/shopping/product...&sColor=492

 

It sounds like he is really close. Ainsley cruised for months before finally letting go and walking. She has a gross motor delay, and she's also very cautious. It just took her a while to get the confidence to walk. Don't worry, he'll do it!

 

Melissa, we didn't walk till 17 and 18 mos. I thought they would crawl into Kindergarten at the rate they were going, but they just did it! Try not to worry and give them ample practice. Sounds like he's CLOSE!

 

Sounds close to it happening! DD didn't until 15 months and DS was at 11 months. It is hard not to compare/worry, but it is within the normal range.

 

I can so feel your pain, my girls didn't walk until 18/19 months. I was worried it would never happen. They had been cruising for 6 months! They also had developed a bad habit of walking on their knees. I insisted that their doctor refer them to EI and it was very helpful. I know that isn't an option for you, but you can do some of the exercises they showed me (if I can explain them correctly )The PT gave me this big rubberband thing to put around their chest and under thier arms and hold it from behind. Then I could control their momentum and they could walk thru the entire house. Once they had the confidence they needed they were off and running! Good luck, I'm sure he will be walking in no time!

 

QUOTE(Inlowtwins @ Oct 18 2007, 06:37 AM) [snapback]455926[/snapback]
The PT gave me this big rubberband thing to put around their chest and under thier arms and hold it from behind. Then I could control their momentum and they could walk thru the entire house.


One of my coworkers did a similar exercise using a big towel. Don't worry you son sounds like he is almost there. Start spreading the distance between you and DH a little at a time and he will get there in no time. My last son didn't walk until 16.5mos so I know that worried feeling.

 

Oh, I know how yo feel! Of my 8 dc, Ethan is the only one NOT walking by his 1st birthday. I keep telling myself not to worry, too - I know it's coming soon. Hang in there!

 

My DD started walking at 16 mo and DS was 18 mo. And, I too, couldn't wait, and often wondered what was going on. All that being said now that they are 2 1/2 and running around the house, enjoy this time. Things really pick up after they get the hang of it.

 

Have you asked your ped what he/she thinks about it? You could also get an evaluation by a pt and see how he/she feels about it. Although I'm sure it's just a matter of time till he's roaming all over the place it might put your mind at ease if you have someones professional opinion as well. There's nothing to lose by asking.

 

QUOTE(jenn- @ Oct 18 2007, 11:53 AM) [snapback]455948[/snapback]
One of my coworkers did a similar exercise using a big towel. Don't worry you son sounds like he is almost there. Start spreading the distance between you and DH a little at a time and he will get there in no time. My last son didn't walk until 16.5mos so I know that worried feeling.



Wow, what a great idea!!! DD is down for a nap right now, otherwise I'd try it right now!

 

My little Kerry didn't walk until 22 months. We took her to a bunch of different kinds of doctors, who all said there was nothing wrong and she'd walk when she was ready. She did. Try not to worry.

Best,
Mia