15 months- not walking

[RenF]

Just interested in opinions really. She was slow to start crawling (12mths), and once she did she took a while to really crawl everywhere (now of course she zooms about everywhere). Has been cruising confidently around furniture for a couple of months and happily gets around the house this way (even holding onto walls etc to walk along). However not at all keen on taking steps unaided ( she can stand without holding onto anything).

I'm fine with this and figure she will get there in her own time, but nursery seem a bit obsessed with getting her walking, and constantly query how much we encourage her, and feed back to us on what they have done to get her walking unaided (should add she is the only non walker in her room).

Should I be concerned? Is 15mths quite late not to be walking alone? Or should I just be grateful?!

[SBot]

My now 2yr 9m old didn't walk until 16 months!!! How many children to you see that crawl to school on their first day?? Nursery probably just want her walking to make things easier for them.

She will walk!!

[Belle]

Don't worry at all - that is seriously not at all late to walk! My first was almost 17 mths, my second 15/16 months and I wasn't worried thankfully because plenty of wise forumites told me not to be. One such wise forumite (you know who you are ;) )in fact told me her son was 21 mths before walking so I realised there's a big spectrum. But for some reason people do get obsessed - Health Visitor at 16 months said that if he didn't walk in the next month he'd need a referral which frankly was crazy, as like your little one he was cruising all over the place so legs clearly working fine. One theory my husband had was that having wooden floors put our kids off...I personally think there's not much you can do to hasten it, they'll do it in their own good time. You're right not to be concerned and don't let nursery hassle you.

[lenster]

My little girl only started walking on her own earlier this month at 20 months old. Took her time to crawl too. I wouldn't be concerned seeing as she's cruising..

[Knomester]

Just to reiterate what others have said - don't worry! I didn't walk until I was over 18 months and our now 2.5yo didn't walk until he was around 16 months. He never stops now...

[KateW]

My daughter didn't walk until 17/18 months; don't worry, they all get there at their own pace! She was a really early talker though and has been chatting away in sentences from a young age. My HV said they often focus on developing a certain skill at one time, so in my daughter's case, it was verbal communication early, walking later.

[Pickle]

21 months for child 1, 15 for #2 and #3 is 14 months and absolutely miles off walking (a bottom shuffler like my son was). Absolutely no need to worry.

[damzel]

Definitely don't worry - mine didn't start crawling until 13 months and walking till 16 months. She was a late talker too but now is a right old chatterbox at 5yo. Was in no hurry to be out of nappies either actually. We realise now that she only ever embarks on anything when she feels really confident about it, so as soon as she sets her mind to it, it's like she's been doing whatever it is all her life. I've stopped worrying and comparing and life is oh so much easier! (sorry for the ramble)

[minder]

Of course being the only non-walker in her nursery room would cause concern to the nursery workers. They have probably tried to encourage her, especially as you say she is standing alone without taking steps.

Could she be a bottom-shuffler? I've seen so many stand unaided but revert to being bottom shufflers just because that's the way they get around a lot quicker and also because they've not been encouraged to stand and walk.

Either way if you're happy to have your daughter not up and walking then let the nursery know!

[Fuschia]

My 4

10.5m

14m

17m

12m

There's no difference in physical confidence between them now, if anything the one who walked latest is the fastest runner and most coordinated

[Mrs TP]

My middle one was around 14mths and the oldest and youngest more towards 17mth. It will happen as all have said.

Not helpful from me but I have to say I think the nursery are being unnecessarily uptight on this.

[RenF]

Thanks all- reassuring comments!

I can see why the nursery may have concerns, but they moved her into the room as a non walker... I think they expected that given all the other children are walking she may have been encouraged to get going too! I do think there's an element of it being easier for them, as they have to give more supervision when they're playing outside etc.

She does seem to be quite cautious and already has firm likes and dislikes and can be very stubborn (no idea where she gets that from!), and as Damzel said, I think she likes to feel really confident and then acts as if she's been doing something forever!

I'm going to ask the nursery staff if they do have any particular concerns, and if not just say that we're happy to let her get going at her own pace.

[Gubodge]

Getting on for 21 months for my younger daughter. I seem to recall that it's only at around 22 months that it starts being viewed as something that might be worth worrying about.

With A, I think it was partly down to hypermobility, and just general lack of strength. She's never going to be quite as physically capable as her (walking at 9 months) sister, but then, if I'm honest, most children aren't! She's absolutely average compared to her peers. And she's far far better than her sister at football/tennis/anything requiring hand eye coordination.

[fapl]

My first walked at 11 months, he threw himself into everything, and took lots of knocks and tumbles. My 14 month old is not walking at the moment, but he has a different personality and I know that when he does start walking he will not have nearly as many tumbles as his big brother did, he is waiting till he is really confident before he tries walking on his own.

[Otta]

My older daughter walked at 16 months, and just seems to be a more cautious person. My younger daughter walked at 9 months, and is a nutter! Tell nursery to do one. She'll do it when she's ready.

[bornagain]

My daughter is v. cautious. She refused to walk unaided (insisted that I held her hand even though obvious that it wasn't necessary). In the end at 16 months I got so fed up that I let go while she was walking. She realised that she was walking solo and never looked back! It's all a matter of confidence, your daughter will get there when she feels able.

[Beagle]

like all posters above mine was really slow to crawl and didn't walk before 15 months, once she took off never looked back.

Verbally was miles ahead of other kids, like KateW above I wonder if they focus on mastering one skill at a time.

My sister's second refused to budge (even crawl) and nursery kept suggesting to her something was wrong (even though she didn't think there was) after several hundred ? for a specialist appointment she was assured all ok (which she knew anyway but felt unduly pressurised to confirm). All she had was a very strong willed daughter who sat there like a buddha waiting for my sister to come to her.

[Otta]

I hadn't read all the posts earlier, but yes, my older daughter (the cautious one who didn't walk til 16 months) was very advanced in other areas, but slow on physical stuff (still not really potty trained and she's getting on for 4!). The younger one couldn't wait to get going, but doesn't seem as interested in other stuff. Think it's about confidence and their own priorities.

[RenF]

Interesting, my daughter is the last to walk (and was last to sit up, crawl etc) of our group of baby friends but seemed to develop earlier pincer grip and general dexterity (eg she ate with a spoon quite early) than those concentrating on getting mobile. I guess if you're not moving around you've got to do something with your time!

She also spends a lot longer looking at and examining things than the similar aged children we know we have got on the move quickly.

[jennyh]

As above. My daughter crawled at 11 months but was never that fussed about moving, she walked at 17 months. She is not naturally mobile, she can run around with the rest of the kids but is a cautious climber and jumper and will wander off but never ok frantically! However...she learnt how to get dressed early, she talked early and doesn't shut up, she is really into fine motor skills and plays with tiny dolls houses and is very focussed on things. She'll walk if she needs to, would never just leg it. She's 2 now. I had same concerns as you re nursery but actually she just did it in her own time and they need to respect your opinion.

[RenF]

Found this earlier today. I note on many of the physical things my daughter is well 'behind' by these measurements, but could be considered well ahead by some of the other development measures (eg for 18 months it refers to looking at a board book alone and she has been doing this for a while, as well as jabbering her own 'story'!).

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/e6474/milestone-chart-13-to-18-months

just goes to show the vast range of skills to develop and the variations for each child I guess.

[WorkingMummy]

My three:

1) crawled at 6 months walked at 10.5 months

2) never crawled, bottom shuffled from 6 months, walked at 22 months!!

3) 9 months old now, neither crawling nor shuffling.

Had no 2 been my no 1 I probably would have worried a bit. She's 2.5 now and running everywhere.

WMx

[midivydale]

I would not worry at all. I only have the one and he has been early with everything to do with mobility as he is crazily active. However the fine tuning of movements he has seemed 'alot' later than his buddies. Ie clapping hands, using thumb and index finger, etc.

My mum said, they will sit,clap, walk, etc for the next 70-80 years (God willing) so what difference does a few extra months make? Wise words I think.

The HV made a fuss at 8mnths check up that he didnt use his thumb and index to pick things up. He is 12 months now and still doesnt:)i havent told her:)

[Convex]

my son is just really starting to walk now, he is just on 16 months. he is a really fast crawler and i just think walking is not a priority for him. he walks a bit more at nursery than he does at home.