My toddler has been scooting around on her bottom for at least 7 months now. She is 16 months old. She started sitting up early, but never crawled until this last month. She scoots on her bottom using one hand to push from behind and her legs to propel her in front, lifting her bottom slightly. She uses the same hand to push herself all the time. She's started pulling herself into a stand position in the last 2 weeks, and now she wants to climb on everything. But she doesn't want to walk.
This week, my husband and I noticed that her spine isn't as straight as it should be up between her shoulders. I'm worried that sitting up early and scooting all the time have caused this. Her spine was straight when she was born.
Does anyone know if this is something I should be seriously worried about? She stands just fine, and can take steps, she just needs help with her balance. But her primary way of getting around is scooting on her bottom.
Should I push her to try to walk more? She can crawl, she just doesn't like to all the time.
If anyone has experienced this or has any advice, please let me know.
Get her to the pediatrician now. If you took her in for her one year exam and the doctor did not say anything, then find a new pediatrician. You need to find out about her spine and why she is not walking yet. The sooner you get some answers, the sooner you can help her reach her developmental milestones.
My daughter is 11 months now and I became concern with the curvature of her spine. Interestingly enough she is doing the same thing your daughter is doing-scooting on her behind from the time she was 9 months. I brought up my concern to her pediatrician and he told me not to worry until she begins walking. He also said that both of his daughters scooted, did not crawl and began walkin when they were 15 months. Obviously that did not comfort me enough bc I turned to the Internet and found your entry. It looks like your entry was posted more than a year ago, but i really hope you will read this and respond. I would love to know how your daughter is doing now and if you and I had a real reason ro worry.
You have to keep in mind, every child is different. My son went straight from scooting to walking. As far as her spine, have it checked out by a doctor. My niece has rickets, a vitamin D deficiency and this could be a problem. Don't worry that she isn't walking yet, she will eventually. If it is rickets, that could be the delay. I say talk to the doctor and go from there.
I highly doubt that the way she scoots has anything to do with her spine development. At your next pediatrician appointment have the doctor take a look. She could have scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine.
I know plenty of babies that scooted on their butt, or crawled with their elbows or one knee and one hand and it did not cause any developmental issues. So most likely this is just the way she is developing.
Just an FYI, I have mild scoliosis and it never effected me. My doctors took a wait and see approach if it had progressed I would have needed to wear a brace, but I never needed to.
I suggest let her walk at her own pace and check with your pediatrician!
I recommend taking your child to the pediatrician. They can do some exams & tell you if this is a permanent or she will grow out of it. If she has "curvature of the spine", she is young enough to correct it by a brace of some sort.
Your DR should be checking your daughter's spinal development at your regular visits, I would mention your concern the next time you go in.
Try a chiropractor. Many work on children, even newborns. They won't "crack" them, they just feel the vertebrae and maybe do some gentle touch. Contact me directly if you'd like a referral. Good luck!
If it is curvature of the spine she should see a chiropractor. This could correct her spine so she crawls straight and grows straight. Do not take a wait and see attitude as one person said they had done. The sooner it is corrected the sooner she'll develop more symmetrically. Children correct much more quickly then adults and you don't want her neurology to develop this way. Cross crawling is important for nervous system development and can affect learning and reading disabilities.
Our older son didn't walk completely & confidently til he was 17 months old. Your daughter, like our son, is just doing it on the outside of the 3 month window period. Her scooting around is not uncommon. And I doubt it has anything to do w/her spine. But, I'd make sure the ped.looked at her spine during your next apppointment.
Deinately make an appointment for the pediatrician ASAP! Also, your child may have inner ear complications that are creating the balance issue. Have your pediatrician check her ears. Hope this little tid-bit helps.
16 months old and not walking? and scooting? and you are asking this list instead of seeing a doctor?!?!?!?!?!?
really?!?!?!
I would recommend talking to the pediatrician and asking for a referral to an occupational therapist. My twins were born premature and one was delayed in his gross motor skills. An OT came to our house twice a month and gave us exercises for him. He is now 14 months old and has caught up developmentally. Also, I would highly recommend seeing a chiropractor.
Don't mess around. Taker her to her pediatrician and have them assess her. If you are not careful and it gets worse she will have major problems growing up and could include having to have surgery.
Take care and good luck.
