16 month old not walking?

Caroline - posted on 07/04/2012

My daughter was born 9 weeks premmie, weighed 3 pounds & 11 ounces, 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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Apple - posted on 05/11/2011

hi my name is cidra. my daughter is 6 weeks premature....she is 15 months but still doest walk....she can stand holding things.....and take few hesitant steps but just doesnttries walking.....kindly help me with some techniques to help practise walking with her....is dere any way i can enforce it.......i am really worried....have consulted the peds but he says she is fine....

Trisha - posted on 02/27/2010

wow! I am glad I posted this. Thanks for all the replies. I found out on my birthday that my daughter can walk; she just lacks the confidence to do so. she took 10 steps unassisted to me ...talk about a wonderful gift! Since then she is taking about 4-5 steps in between couch/chair/table/toys unassisted, but she still will not just walk everywhere. We are getting there slowly but surely. I am glad to hear that this shouldn't be a concern. I guess as a first time mom I don't really know what to expect.

Kirsty - posted on 02/25/2010

im not an expert but i wouldnt be too concerned.
My daughter was also born 8 weeks prem and she is just about to turn 1year old. She is nowhere near walking. She is just figuring out how to crawl.
When i asked the specialist he said that it is quite common for full term babies to not walk until they are about 14-16 months so i should expect her to be a bit later due to being early. He also said babies are normally walkers or talkers and my daughter is definitely a talker so he said to expect her to walk later and babies who walk early usually talk later if that makes sense

Ashley - posted on 02/25/2010

it is possible that since you said she's talking a lot but not walking a lot, her focus right now could just be on talking. some babies can only master one thing at a time!

Kristin - posted on 02/25/2010

don't worry about, if she'll walk with u helping or by holding something she will walk on her own soon just be patient and wait for her to have the courage to do it herself.

Rebekah - posted on 02/25/2010

I don't think there's anything to be concerned about. You go by your daughter's corrected age for things like that.

Dania - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Trisha,I have three kids and all of them walk late ,13,14 and 15 months they will walk whenever they want,hopefully my new babies will walk earlier,good luck with your baby but don't worried to much.

Michelle - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter was born at 35 weeks and didnt walk until 18 months. 16 months is still in the normal range for a term baby. I'm sure she'll be running in no time!!

Marla - posted on 02/24/2010

The age to start walking is individual to each child but the age range is 12-15 months. At this point you should still be using their adjusted age until about 2.5 years. If you are concerned you should contact your local early intervention specialisst as your daughter qualifys for services because she was 8 weeks premature, They will come to your hame and do a full screening. i have a daughter who is now 8yrs. old, who was born 10 weeks early and received services through early intervention she is doing just fine. I am also a preschool teacher of 18-24 month old children. I have to say by what you described my guess is that you do not need to worry one day very soon she will just start walking but if you are still concerned early intervention is the way to go!

Ruth - posted on 02/23/2010

my oldest son was 6 weeks early and he didn't even THINK about starting to walk until he was over 18 months! So looks like your little one has over taken my son already:) Don't forget ALL babies develop at different rates, whether born full term or early. She will walk when she is good and ready and boy will you know about it. It's amazing how fast such tiny legs can run! I've had 5 babies and none of them hit their milestones at EXACTLY the same time as each other, some were slower at some things, faster at others. Don't worry sweetheart, they do things at their own pace. A baby being slower at one thing doesn't mean you're a bad mum, same as a baby being extremely fast at something doesn't make you a better mum, just means baby is doing their own thing:) Stop worrying and relax, enjoy your baby and relish those first steps.........you'll be running to keep up with her soon enough:)

Kristen - posted on 02/21/2010

I agree with the other ladies. My daughter who was born 5 weeks early, is now 15 months old and still not walking. She is the same is your daughter, walking if i hold one hand and walking behind a walker confidently. Just not confident enough to do it on her own yet. Not worried as there are plenty of other late bloomers out there. Take care :)

Jo-anne - posted on 02/20/2010

hi there my son was born at 31 weeks 9 weeks early. he didnt start walking till he was 18 months so i wouldnt worry she will get there in her own time. (he will be turning 2 in march)

Trisha - posted on 02/18/2010

Thanks Tammy. I guess I just needed the reassurance from other moms. My daughter talks up a storm so I know she is not behind in that aspect...but when I see other babies my daughter's age already running and walking very confidently, it makes me pause. I should realize by now she is going to do things when she wants to, and there is nothing I can do to hurry things! lol

Tammy - posted on 02/16/2010

Also, I dont like it when pediatricians tell you when kids need to be doing something. The doc once brought a specialist in without consulting with me that there was an issue. I was highly offended and switched ped's. Me personally, Id rather talk to other mothers and see what experiences that they went thru. Ive learned, some kids walk faster than others, talk faster than others, but that doesnt mean that our children are going to be behind in any way.

Tammy - posted on 02/16/2010

NO WORRIES!!! My first son (33 weeker, now 9) didnt start walking till 16 months. My second son (36 weeker now 2 year 5 months) didnt start walking till 18 months. And they are both normal, happy, boys. I simply think that they wanted to be held for as long as they could and took advantage of it. ;-)