Is it normal that my 17 months (toddler) is still not walking?

I have a 15 month old and she just started walking. And even now, she sometimes picks crawling over walking. And she is very unstable when walking, and falls a lot. I have heard that most will start walking around 1, but some can go until about 2 before walking. I would not be too worried about it...if she is cruising, then she will soon build up enough confidence and let go one day.

Hi S.
I've been through this exact situation. I just started with ECI and we've made some great progress. My son was not walking at 18 months and had other delays as well. After 1 month with ECI, he has now taken his first steps and is on his way. I would not be worried about hip dysplasia. Most kids are wobbly but ECI will let you know if there are concerns or not. I wish you luck! Keep us all posted!

Since you've had so many responses, I'll keep mine (relatively) short. Our daughter has ankle pronation (they are too bendy and don't hold her legs up very well) as well as hypotonia (low muscle tone), and started walking (AND THEN QUIT!) twice before she became a real walker at age 26 months.

She still has a very awkward gait 3 months later, which is fine ... at least she's moving on her own!

If your child sits with her ankles in a "W" shape most of the time, or if ECI mentions the terms "pronation" or "hypotonia", go see an orthopedic surgeon ASAP to get a medical doctor's input. ECI will give physical therapy, but if there is a medical cause or solution, they won't discuss that with you and are not qualified to.

But don't over-worry until you meet with them and they do the evaluation. Milestones are just averages!! Don't let them rule your life or you will miss out on the joys of parenting because you'll be too stressed out all the time, trust me I KNOW!

And if you want to talk to a mom who's been there (specifically about any of the issues I've mentioned), feel free to reply to me directly. I know it's tough, especially when other milestones aren't being met, either.

The best thing I ever did: THREW OUT MY BABY/TODDLER BOOKS! All they did was cause me grief!!!

I didn't read all of the responses so sorry if I am repeating anything. I was told when I called ECI because my daughter wasn't walking at 16 months, to wait until 18 months. Even then, they reassured me, there was most likely nothing wrong as long as she was meeting other milestones. My daughter began walking very close to 18 months. You should listen to ECI but relax delayed walking doesn't always indicate a problem.

HI, you need to call your local ECI (early Childhood intervention) office and set up an evaluation. If he qualifies, you can get free services in your home to help him with his needs. all 3 of my boys have gotten ECI services for speech and its been great.

Not walking at 17 month is a concern. Talk with your peditrician as well.

Good luck
A. J

I am going through the same thing actually. My daughter is almost 15 months and not walking she has just learned to pull herself up on objects. But she took forever to roll and crawl. She is about 5 weeks premature so we knew she was behind but we realized she is really behind. We are currently working with ECI and they are really great and nice. We have seen improvments it takes time like most things with babies but they have helped me explain why she is behind and showed me many different ways to work with her. I know it is frustrating you see other kids her age and younger doing things with ease and you just wish you baby is doing the same. She will walk she just may need a little help along the way! So hang in there and good luck!

We've been there. My 1st didn't walk until 13 months which isn't too far behind. Then she was earl on everthing else. My son however although a preemie he was on track for sitting, crawling, etc. Then it all just stopped basically. He didn't even pull up to stand until he was 15 months old, cruised furnitire a few weeks after that. We'd go to his pedi at least once a month just to ease my fears..finally went to a specialist who could find nothing wrong. He just had no interest in walking yet. He finally walked at 18 months! From there it's been non-stop. We think he finally caught on because the day he pulled up 1st and walked the 1st time I was watching my neighbors boy who is just 6 weeks older then him and he was copying him. His friend didn't walk until 15 months.
As for dysplasia, the probably would have caught onto by her age. I have 2 friends who's daughters have had to wear te Pavlocl harness due to a hip click the called it or a form of dysplasia and both were caught within a couple weeks of birth. My sister also had a hip issue when she was born and had wear a brace at night her 1st year but that was also caught very yearly on.
If she's already using her muscles well, good body control, and has hit those other milestones (even if they are a litlte behind) I wouldn't worry so much. Good luck at your appt!!

My son didn't start walking on his own til he was 19 months old. I worried and fretted too. I just kept encouraging him but didn't force him. I'd already learned that my baby did things in his own time when HE decided he was ready. He too was delayed in all his previous milestones, and still is.

I watched him and noticed that when he would cruise around, holding onto furniture, he did fine but if you tried to make him step away, he'd sit right down. If you tried holding his hands and let go, same thing.

I quickly realized that he had the ability and the mechanics down, he just hadn't DECIDED that he was ready.

One day though he finally did decide and voila, you can't keep that kid still! He went straight from crawling to cruising to RUNNING!

Watch your little girl. Wobbliness aside, does she seem to have the balance? Does she cruise around, holding onto things to travel, but just refuse to let go? Were her previous milestones similar where it seemed she was completely able, just didn't DO til she made up her mind to?

In my case, I was told that he'd been exposed to CMV, a virus like the cold, while I was pregnant, and that it might cause delays, but he is smart as a whip, just stubborn. So I just practice patience with my little guy and hope for the best and just try to be as encouraging as possible.

His speech was delayed also, and he still has trouble with a few sounds but he's talking up a storm too.

My son didn't walk until he was 18 months old. I was so worried about him being delayed as well, but all is fine.

My son was HUGE and I think his weight held him back. He was always in the 100 to 105% on the charts. Is your daughter large? I think they have a hard time carrying that much weight.

ECI is GREAT. My son was a late everything-er. ECI can help you until age 3. If they do not accept your child, at least ask what you can be doing yourself to encourage walking. After age 3, they can receive services through the public school or private therapy if still needed.

If there are other things that your child is not doing yet, be sure to point them out too. You might as well get as much out of the program as you can. (My son received Speech Therapy, Ocupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy through ECI.)

If you have any questions, personal message me. I'll try to help if I can.

Blessings,

P. <><

Hi S.. I can say I know how frustrating this is. I have a 15 month old who can not walk. He also can not crawl or stand up. We've been with ECI for about 8 months now. They have helped so much. When he started, he couldn't even sit up! We also go to Cook's Children Hospital and Scottish Rite for therapies and doctors appts for him. (He's got a muscle disorder called hypotonia, so we know there's going to be physical delays.) There was a great response about how they would likely have noticed the hip dysplasia already. I know it's so scary though. Just keep praying and working and playing and loving. She'll get there!

dont worry too much! eci will help you figure things out. hopefully its nothing, but if it is you will make it through whatever it is. my son is 17 months old and not walking, he was diagnosed at birth with a syndrome so I know pretty much what to expect. once you know whats up it will get easier :)

did you get any information from eci?

My youngest did not walk until she was 19 mos. old. We went and had her checked but everyone told me she was just fine and nothing wrong with her. The doctors and I finally agree it might be because her two older sisters did everything for her thats probably why she decided she did not have to walk. She did cruise while holding on to something or someones hand. I finally broke down and bought a push walker with speed control for her and she took to it very quickly. After a couple of months of her using it I noticed she was using it as a cruch so I hid it and she started walking on her own with no problems.
Good Luck!

First starting out, they are going to be wobbly. My son, who just turned 16 months, is just now starting to get interested in trying to walk on his own. And my mother always reminds me that I didn't start walking until I was around 22 months old...she said I fell down once when I started trying and didn't try again until my younger sister was walking...which was when she was 9 months old...

Hi,

My daughter was 18 months before she let go and walked on her own. She had fallen once or twice before, nothing major, but it scared her. She didn't want to fall again. When she started walking at 18 months she didn't fall. She learned to run very quickly afterwards. Some kids don't like risk much. Go ahead and have her checked out with ECI for peace of mind, but try not to worry. ;)

Sidenote: for my son, we ended up using the program after ECI, for kids 3 and up, for speech therapy. He went to closest elementary for speech once a week for free. (Of course, we are paying for it through our taxes! Ha!) It has been great for us. He now goes to that school for kindergarten, and he may not need speech anymore after this year. All that to say, the ECI and other programs can be great if you need them, but you may not need them at all.

Blessings to you,
Holly

Was she a premie? She may just have a "low tone trunk". Is she able to sit up with erect posture or does she slump forward and prop up with her arms? If she props up with her arms then she is weak in her trunk. If the trunk is weak it is difficult to walk. Think of walking or building something on sand as opposed to a concrete foundation. Physical therapists deal with this frequently. ECI is the correct path to take. don't worry too much, but do follow up with ECI ASAP.

One of the kids in my Day Care was delayed. He was a preemie and only weighed 1.9 and can not remember when but he also walked late. I just kept putting toys in front of him and sort of tricking him to take more and more steps. My two children one kept trying and falling down. The other one made darn sure she could do it then just took off. This little guy is now bigger and taller then the other 2 yr olds and he has long arms. He would hold them out in case he were to fall. all of them are different. I do know years ago I had a customer, when I was a hairdresser and her daughter had to have her legs broke and casts, but mom was amazed no matter what nothing could keep her down. She even had a brace between the legs and she still got around fine. Good luck and pray that it is nothing but just her cautious careful way. G. W

Our daughter was fairly late with all gross motor milestones. She didn't walk until 17 months/2 weeks. I was really worried about it, but our pediatrician told us that anywhere between 12-18 months was "normal" to begin walking. Additionally, our daughter is very verbal and our pediatrician told us she was concentrating on that rather than walking (one skill at a time so to speak). She was pretty wobbly at first, but once she got it...She got it. After two weeks she was more stable and active than other little ones we know that had been walking for months.

Hi S., your story sounds so much like my daughter, She had delayed gross motor skills at every stage of development. She did not walk until she was 16 months and 6 days, I will obviously never forget. We did have ECI come out which was helpful in giving tips on helping the development and putting my fears at bay that something might be wrong. She started walking before we were even through the initial meetings with ECI. I hope everything wrks out and I know it is hard because everyone says, "Is she walking yet?" I finally was like, "leave me alone!" So hang in there and know you are not the only one.

S.,
you are right to be concerned. Hopefully ECI can help you. They are a wonderful resource. They worked with my son with his speech and language skills. I would also suggest that you get a referal to a pediatric orthopedist. Here in Texas I stongly suggest the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. They are wonderful and the services they provide are free for those that don't have insurance and for those that do have insurance there are no copays or deductibles charged. I had to take my daughter there because she walked with her toes turned in. Good luck and I pray that things go well for you and your child.
A.

First I want to say...congrats for being a great mom and not being in denial. I teach early childhood children with special needs, and my 20 mo. old has a speech delay. You are doing just what you need to do right now, asking the Dr. and seeking help. The sooner you get intervention the better it will be for all of you. Don't worry though, just take it one day at a time, love that sweet gal, and do the best you can. I hope all of the great responses have helped you feel better, and I hope that ECI is a blessing to you and your family. I'll keep you in my prayers. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me.

Well, I definetly would recommend checking into it to make sure that there isn't something else going on. Especially, since your pedi recommended that. However, I will tell you that my daughter was a little late when compared to other children. I never really worried about it because the pedi was not concerned. Plus she had better language development compared to the other kids. I guess she was more of a thinker verses more physical. She didn't really start walking until around 15-16 months on her own. However, she would still fall down quite a bit. She just started really running about a month ago - she is 20 months. I would just do what you are doing - get it checked out. Hopefully, it is just the fact that she is just not very physical. Maybe she is just more of a thinker like my daughter and walking is just not a priority for her :)