My daughter was 6 weeks premature and is now 13months and not walking please help me stop worrying?

Caroline - posted on 07/05/2012

My daughter was born 9 weeks premmie, weighed 3 pounds & 11 ounces, stayed in hospital 4 weeks, she had many challenges. She was not able to walk un-assisted, she needed support to sit up, drooled constantly, developmentally delayed, frequent body tremors, some seizure like episodes, kind of in a daze all the time, clenched left hand, choking on her food, speach problems, left side weakness etc. She was elevated on her toes when holding her to walk, she was splinted for a leg brace & they wanted to give her botox, but after researching botox and discovering how it’s made and there were no long term studies I decided against it. Her life was restricted & so was mine ...and it looked this way for the rest of her life ... & mine. I felt hopeless.



We were attending all sorts of treatments and therapies which cost a lot. A friend told me about some special wellness supplements from a particular company, she started taking them in her yogurt, after one week she was up walking un-assisted, it made an immense difference to her brain function, memory, balance, mood & cognition in a short space of time. She began to thrive. I was elated!



I am so grateful to the person that told me about this incredible technology. She now has a life now ….. and so do I. It’s now over 14 yrs later and she continues to take these special nutrients, she has attended normal public schools, she is almost 16, in a few weeks she begins driving lessons and has just started an after school casual job in a fast paced food takeaway. Now she is taller than me.

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Natalie - posted on 11/09/2010

my son done all waht ur daughter is doing now its fine hun she will come along on here own just help her sound the words out more like u world but do it letter by letter it is hard but it does work my son is 4 and has olny just started talkin the last year hes been in school thats helped him alot so talk her to play gruops and parks or friends that have oldder children. dont worry shell do it in her own time and when she does she will let u know i hope this hleps.
PS my son went 2 a group for young kids with problems its called portage ask jur health vistor bout it as its good helped my son say more words and ask for thinks in sing they good

Salina - posted on 08/13/2009

My neice didn't start walking until she was 17 months and was not a prem baby... My baby is now 4 months old and has hypotonia (low muscle tone) he was born 5 weeks early. He will be behind because of it... The speech thing, does she make sounds at all? Does she Coo and gurgle at all or say BaBaba? I firmly believe that if you think something is wrong, then have it checked out. We go to physio every 3 weeks and it has helped tremendously!!! I highly recommend it!!!

Good luck

Clarise - posted on 08/13/2009

My son was a little more than 2 months early (he's now 15) and he didn't start walking until he was about 13 months. When I stopped carrying him as much and took him out of his walker and let him explore on his own, his legs got stronger and he walked. With most things, children have a mind of their own. If you have taken your baby to the doctor and everything is fine, don't worry.

Crystal - posted on 08/13/2009

Hello My name is Crystal, the best advice is to be patient with ur little one, my preemie daughter was about 19 months when she started to walk, it is really fustrating for us as preemie parents that are waiting and waiting and it seems like forever for them to be crawling or walking, hang in there b4 u know it ur little one will be walking :)

Brittani - posted on 08/12/2009

Exactly if your girl was premature then you need to go by her DUE date age, not her date of birth. If a baby is born 2 months early, everything will be set back about 2 months. Act as though she was born on her due date, and go from there. Premature babies are always set back a little, and sometimes more than others - talk to her dr. But mostly just be patient and stop worrying.

Jennifer - posted on 08/11/2009

My daughter needed PT to learn to walk. She started the PT at 17 months and was walking within a month. Practically running once she got the hang of it. I thought that meant she would be physically delayed forever but she made such huge strides with the PT that she was jumping and running long before her other full term friends. She also learned to ride a bike before most of her friends, I was totally shocked! And proud.



If your daughter is vocal I really encourage signing. My daughter and I loved the "Signing Time" videos. Not only did my daughter and I learn to sign but I think she learned her incredible vocabulary from those videos. When ever we had evals they were shocked at her speech and vocabulary.

Karen - posted on 08/07/2009

don't worry my son came just over 3 months early, he didn't walk until he was 2 years old. He is now 3 1/2 years old and is doing fantastic, you wouldn't know he came so early. All babies walk at different ages even full term babies. Just keep up with the exercises and everything will work itself out :)

Susan - posted on 08/06/2009

Absolute stop worrying. 13 months is still well within the range of normal for non-preemies. My twins were 24-weekers. My daughter walked at 17 months (13 months corrected age); my son didn't walk until he was 23 months old (19 months corrected age).

Susan - posted on 08/06/2009

Absolute stop worrying. 13 months is still well within the range of normal for non-preemies. My twins were 24-weekers. My daughter walked at 17 months (13 months corrected age); my son didn't walk until he was 23 months old (19 months corrected age).

Mary Lynn - posted on 08/06/2009

don't worry... every baby is different. My nephew is almost 14months (full term baby)and just started walking.. My son is only 4 months old and 5 weeks early, but doing everything that a normal baby at his age should do.

Debbie - posted on 08/06/2009

I felt the same way. Both my daughters were preemies and both of them didn't start walking till they were about 18 months old. They usually don't start getting on track till they are like 2 yrs old.

Kayleigh - posted on 08/02/2009

She is 14 months now on 6th august and was 6 weeks early makes her 12 and a half months a little confused as to where you got 6 months but she is coming on so much better now. I live in UK never heard of these early intervention?

Michelle - posted on 07/31/2009

Do not worry. keep in mind that your child is not exactly 13 months but is 6 months old. She is 13 months out of the womb but her corrected age is 6months. Though pediatricians are good at what they do this is the time to seek advice else where. I have had 2 premies who had a series of delays in all areas. I called early intervention which is a free service that is available in every state. What they do is come to your home and evaluate your child and based on their obervations they will prescribe services. Keep in mind these services are free. They will send certified therapists to your home or day care to work with both you and your child. I did this for both of my babies who are both age appropriately developing because of early intervention. They are now going to be 4 and 5 and no one would know their struggle unless if I told them. Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 07/30/2009

My daughter was born at 26 1/2 weeks back in 2004 and is now 5 1/2 yrs. old. She didn't start walking until she was around 18 months old. At that time my son was 1 and was very advanced for his age, so I found myself comparing where she was to where he was at that age. Don't do that. It's frusterating for the child and frusterating for you! She stayed pretty close to her gestational age until she turned 3. I had her enrolled in Birth to 3 at 18 months for her speech. She now has IEP through the school district that she is almost finished with, as she has pretty much caught up with the other kids her age. I've noticed that going into school she is slightly more emotionally young than other kids and I'm getting the feeling that are some learning disabilities on the horizen, but she is strong and healthy and honestly, that's all I care about. The rest I have found that we can handle with patience... If you're very worried about her developmental milestones, I would recommend getting in touch with a Birth to 3 program in your area. They are great at helping you sort through what's "normal" and what's normal for your child. I hope that helps!! :)

Jennifer - posted on 07/30/2009

It still does not stop me worry myself sick. You are not alone I have researched the net and there are plenty of mothers out there in the same boat as us. :)

Jennifer - posted on 07/30/2009

My son was also 6 weeks early and is now 20 months and STILL not walking. he is cruising furniture and walking around the walls but will not walk on his own. He did not crawl properly until he was 14 months old I was also very worried and took him to a paediatrician who I see every 3 months, he is not worried at all, he says it is due to his prematurity and he will do it when he is ready. We have had the head scans and everything it all came back normal and all the docs keep telling me is that he will catch up! It still

Amber - posted on 07/29/2009

i wouldnt worry to much even though mama's always do my son was 5weeks early and he is just starting to walk ok at 13 months he still falls alot but that could be cause his feet are inverted i would just give her a lil more time to see

Dana - posted on 07/29/2009

It is hard not to worry but that is the norm for your child. My daughter was 6 weeks early and is 12 1/2 months. She will not crawl and refuses to be on her belly. She just barely started to scoot around on her butt in a funny crab like motion. She has not really shown any interest in pulling up yet and does not walk( stands on her toes). People who don't have preemies mean well but asking you if she is walking , crawling etc makes you worry/wonder more. Just realize she is happy and healthy and ok. She will get their in her own time. ( My daughter too!)

Janine - posted on 07/28/2009

hi Kayleigh my son is also 13 months old and not walking. He was born at 36 weeks. Don't be concerned that your daughter is not walking or talking. All babies are different and they will walk or talk when they want to walk or talk. My son is happy crawling around and loves being picked up for cuddles and walks around the house with me holding him. I love every moment of it because I know one day he won't want be holding him anymore!!

Heather - posted on 07/28/2009

Hi, my son was 6 weeks early too. He went through some rapid growth spurts in his first year and it semed like he was less mobile than other babies......he didn't walk until he was almost 15 months old.

My son (he's 3) is now the quickest and most coordinated kid on his soccer team, it just took him a while longer to get there!

Your little girl should "catch up" soon....Good Luck.

Tonya - posted on 07/27/2009

it's ok, relax. You can't expect all children to walk at the same time as others, especially preemies. They take their time and you can't rush them. Sometimes it seems like they will NEVER "catch up"... but they do. Try not to put pressure on her or yourself. She will figure out how to walk when she is ready, whether she tiptoes for a while or not. I've found that walkers encourage the tip toe thing, so you can try to have her walk while holding on to your fingers instead... and it's harder for them to tip toe if they are wearing hard soled shoes. Other than that, just try to breathe. We have all been through this/ are going through this, your daughter is NOT the only one.
Hope this helps...

Gael - posted on 07/27/2009

Kayleigh, RELAX! She's your baby girl, first and foremost! I had a 23 weeker 21 years ago. He didn't walk until he was about 15 months. He needed physical therapy, but now he's fine. Even if your little one needs phys. therapy, it's not the end of the world. Take her where she's at right now, and encourage her---don't worry! I was told that my son would never walk. By the time he was 3, I could barely keep up with him! Love and watchful mothering (not worrying) is what she needs. Enjoy her!

Cindy - posted on 07/27/2009

I have 5 year old twin girls who were born at 26 weeks 1 lb 9oz and 1lb 5oz. They did not walk until after they were 18months old. But once they started they never stop moving. Now they are in gymnastics and soccer.Although we have met many of our milestones late we have been meeting them. I recommend you take any therapy or assistance available to you but don't worry too much.(easy to say but tough to do I realize) Good luck with everything!

Anita - posted on 07/27/2009

Hello! Your post caught my attention, my son was 6 weeks early and was a very late walker, around 22 months. He is now almost 6 years old and is doing fantastic. (I was an early childhood special education teacher for 10 years so already knew quite a bit about early development, but it is certainly stressful when it is your own child.) Sometimes these early babies just need an extra boost... physical therapy was exactly what my son needed. I kept thinking I should be patient, he would do it in his time, but once he started physical therapy it was clear to me that he needed to be "taught" how to do some of the basics. They taught him to crawl, get into a sitting position on his own, to stand from a sitting position, and to walk. Once he no longer qualified for PT we enrolled him in gymnastics, which he still does to this day. Gymnastics is great for overall body coordination, strength, and balance.



As for talking, your daughter is still quite young. Lots of children don't talk until close to two... there is a very large range of "normal" with talking. That said, if there are OTHER concerns, such as she doesn't seem to be developing cognitive skills and awareness, I would think an evaluation might be in order. Otherwise, just be patient. :) My son had only a few words for a very long time, then suddenly erupted with tons of language. Some kiddos just do it like that. The best recommendation I can give is to talk, talk, talk to her constantly. I was always "thinking out loud", telling my son all about what I was doing. "I need to go into the kitchen, I think I'll have a glass of milk", "You have the red truck", "The phone is ringing", etc. Even though she may not be talking she IS absorbing everything you do and say. This makes a huge difference! I would also recommend baby sign language. This is very helpful for a little one who may have things they want to communicate but don't yet have the words. We used just a few basics but it was very helpful. I think I taught him "more", "done", "drink", "eat", that's all I am recalling at the moment but there were 2 or 3 others. This really helps reduce their frustration.



I know how stressful this is... even with my background I was constantly questioning myself. My son is now a very intelligent, active 6 year old. He does receive speech therapy now for a slight lisp. His motor skills are in the normal range, but I can tell he has a bit of a balance issue, but this is not noticeable to others. His cognitive skills were not affected at all, he is quite a bright young man. These babies are so resilient!



It's amazing how these preemies are able to recover, but don't hesitate for the help through PT or speech if you have concerns. They are the experts! Sometimes it is worth having the evaluation just to ease your worries and to get the information, even if they don't NEED the service. :) It definitely is not a waste of time to have the eval.



Good luck and God bless!!

Ange - posted on 07/26/2009

Some full term babies don't walk until a bit later. All children are different and please don't worry too much, it may take a bit more time. :)

Samantha - posted on 07/26/2009

my twins were 3 months early and now 16 months and not walking, my boy is only just crawling and thats on/off my girl crawls and stands holding things , dont worry they will do things in there own time

Naomi - posted on 07/26/2009

For term infants, walking is expected between 12 and 18 months. Your daughter's adjusted age is 11 months, so she's doing just fine!!!

Emma - posted on 07/26/2009

Hi my daughter is 16 month old on the 3rd and was 5 weeks early. She has only been walking a month and 1/2. She says only few words but is very vocal. If nothing improves after 2 then thats when the worrying should start I was told

Andrea - posted on 07/24/2009

My daughter was born 6 weeks early. She began walking at 13 1/2 months. My full term daughter walked at 13 months. The best advice I have for you is that your daughter will do it when she is ready. Just keep playing with her and loving on her and before you know it she will be running around and driving you nuts :)!

Trisha - posted on 07/23/2009

I didn't read through all the replies. So forgive me if I repeat! My oldest daughter Ava was born 15 weeks early and she was slow for a lot of things, even if you went with corrected age. By 2 she had caught up in everything except weight! She's still a little peanut! If you're really concerned, maybe take her to a Physical therapist...or see another ped.

Abel - posted on 07/22/2009

my daughter was born at 24 weeks and she is now 4 years old and doing great! she didnt start to walk till she was close to two years old. and she only started crawling after her last intestinal surgery was through. look into a birth to 3 program. they helped my daughter out alot.

Denise - posted on 07/22/2009

My daughter was 7wks early and walked when she was about 13 months old but my son was born at 36wks but he was a preemie and hed didn't walk until he was 17 months old. Both my daughter and son are healthy and are doing fine so don't worry, she'll walk when she's ready.

Jade - posted on 07/22/2009

that makes me feel better thanks,for the post. my son was 7 wks early and sometimes it seems he doesnt do the thinks he's suppose to.

TuTu - posted on 07/22/2009

Its fine my son was born at 30weeks he didn't walk till about 14months.

Amy - posted on 07/22/2009

My son who was 7 weeks early did not walk until almost 20 months. So do not worry. I took him to several rehab. sessions and every time the personnel told me the same thing DO NOT WORRY! My sister in law's fourth child who was not a preemie did not walk until he was 22 months!!!

Toria - posted on 07/22/2009

my son was 6 months premature. now he is 15 months and still not walking. the doctors say not to worry because the new expected walking age isnt until 18 months now. i dont worry he will walk when hes ready

Kelly - posted on 07/21/2009

My daughter was born at 24 weeks. She didn't crawl until just after she turned 1 and didn't walk till after she turned 2. You have to think they are born early and take that into consideration when you look at all the milestones a baby hits. So if they were born 6 weeks early then they run any where from 6 to 12 weeks behind. My daughter is 5 now and you would never know how early she was.

Stacie - posted on 07/21/2009

You really need to get her evaluated by a physical therapist, we kind of had the same problem and my son was 10 weeks early, and if you dont start therapy sooner than later there is some damage that can be done that is irreversable. Hope this help atleast getting you to get a second opinion. I am sure that everything will work out for the best! Good luck

Pipa - posted on 07/21/2009

hey i have to children, my first who wasnt really a prem although being born 3 weeks early she didnt walk till she was 18 months almost 19 months so every child is diffrent just cause the book says they should be walking at x date doesnt mean they will.

just keep your chin up and enjoy the crawling cause once there walking there is no stopping them.

pipa

Tameche - posted on 07/21/2009

Don't worry my daughter was 3months early and is just now pulling up on things. I have my daughter enrolled in early intervention programs to help with her speech. Every baby reaches their own milestones

Jill - posted on 07/21/2009

My son was also 6 wks early and didn't walk until 15 months. There is absolutely nothing to worry about! I had the same worries when he wasn't even sitting up at 11 months. I know may full term children that walk on their tippie toes. It is very un-nerving, especially with 2 other children that were full term. I expected him to do things the same time as they did. But, just be patient. It all comes in time. My son is now 19 months and running everywhere. He too doesn't talk much. Try teaching her some sign language. Just simple ones like eat, drink, more, please. It does really make them feel more independent because they can communicate what they want. Good luck with everything, and take care!

Shawna - posted on 07/20/2009

My daughter was 11 weeks early. she weighed 2 lbs 11 ozs when she was born. she too was a slow walker. her specialist said she was a toe walker( walked on her toes when I held her hands.) and that this will delay her walking. she was1 and a half almost 2 when she finally did walk. We were about to see a physical therapist just to make sure her legs were strong enough , but then she went ahead and did it. it is very scary but they will walk when they are ready, and girls seem to do things when they are good and ready and not a second before lol!

Alicia - posted on 07/20/2009

My daughter was 18wks. early. She will turn 5 in Dec. & she just really started walking good on her own in the past 2-3 months.Every child developes at their own rate .She will be alright

Sheila - posted on 07/20/2009

I can't tell you not to worry, but I can tell you this mine refused to walk until he was about 13 months old, he attempted to walk at 8 months & fell. I believed it frightened him. He was talking but not to us. I left him alone in a room one day when he was about 15 months old and when I returned with out him noticing I heard him repeating every word he heard on Sesame Street. Sadly enough he is 29 years old and backwards, slower & very unsocial compared to my other 2. If I had it to do over again, I would have made sure he was seen by mental specialist, left him in a day care center where he could learn to interact anything the doctors would have suggested. I did all I could but I don't think I questioned the Doctor enough about the minor problems, I was to busy with the physical problems, allergies, asthma, croup, ear infections, & more. He just worried me constantly & still does.

Maria - posted on 07/20/2009

hi, like all the other replies seem to say - don't worry - they all do things at different ages. my twins were 12 weeks early and didn't walk until they were 18 months old. they are both fine and at school now.

Traci - posted on 07/20/2009

My daughter was born 15 weeks early. She is now 20 months old. She didn't walk until she was 17 months old, Mothers Day actually. She gets OT and her therapist gets on her for tip toe walking. She doesn't talk yet either and has started speech therapy. I taught her how to sign, basic. It is great!

Kayleigh - posted on 07/20/2009

Well I thought I would fill you all in seen physio last week she gave us exercises to do, stand at sofa and play with her toys whilst standing trying to balance herself etc but she still on tip toes so need 2 hold her feet flat she doesnt like that much. she does the commando crawl using her elbows 2 drag her along and lately she pulls herself up onto her knees in her cot so it is looking good, the physiotherapist reckons by 18months she will be walking which is (16 and a half months corrected). Also asked about her speech turns out she is very vocal for her age even though it is not words that make much sense I was told flash cards are good and just to keep saying small 3 word sentences. Anymore advice is welcome!!



P.S. I am from Inverness in Scotland, United Kingdom x

Michelle - posted on 07/20/2009

My son was 16 weeks early and 14 months old now and he isnt walking either!!! Dont worry. All baby's go at there own pace. Full tern baby's dont usually walk until after a year. My sister in law who was full term didnt walk till 2 1/2

Kim - posted on 07/20/2009

don't worry...all my kids were born early and they did it when they wanted to. although my last baby is 10 mo. and he's still not crawling. he stands with help. my 1st we went to childrens 4 therapy this 1 i opted out. i'm thinking twice about that though.