21 months old and not walking

Renae - posted on 12/07/2010

My first thought was that if she is cruising then she is fine. Her adjusted age is 19 months so she is only just on the outside of normal range for starting to walk alone (10-18 months). If she was not even cruising then I would be concerned. But, then you said you are concerned about her legs, so given that, I think it wouldn't hurt to see a paediatric physio. But it must be a specially qualified PAEDIATRIC physiotherapist, not a regular physio. Your family doctor should be able to refer you to one or call the physiotherapists association and ask them for the details of a registered paediatric PT in your area. It cant hurt to have them assess her as if there is a problem then the sooner you catch it the better and if there isn't then you will know not to worry.

Nicola - posted on 12/06/2010

When you say her legs look weird when she walks, like she doesn't bend them, is she locking them out straight or even beyond straight (so that they bend back at the knee), this is what Lauren did and still does sometimes and is common in hypermobility. I just noticed that you mentioned it in your opening post.

Nicola
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Nicola - posted on 12/06/2010

Hi,

I have 21 month old twins too, Lauren and Sophie. Lauren cannot walk unaided and has been diagnosed as Hypermobile, she wears special boots and has physio therapy. Lauren was also delayed in rolling, crawling and sitting (she didn't crawl till nearly 15 months).

Hypermobility is quite common, it is also known as double jointedness but it is just one of a number of conditions that could cause delays in walking.

Nicola
x

Noelia - posted on 03/15/2010

Ah! A control issue. See, they are smarter than we think!!!!!!!!!

Lucy - posted on 03/14/2010

I went through a very similar thing with my daughter, we all thought she was trying to get into the record books as she didn't walk unaided until she was 27 months!

Like your daughter, she cruised round furniture, and would push along a walker or toy pram, but just wouldn't let go. She was also very prone to going around on her tippy toes, so we thought maybe she had a shortened achilles tendon. We had her checked out by our family doctor and a paediatric nurse very thoroughly, but there didn't seem to be anything physically wrong.

Luckily for us, our daughter was a very early talker, so she could make it clear that it was more a case of WON'T than CAN'T, because from about 18 months when we tried to encourage her to walk she would say "no walk, might fall over!"

She finally did it on my brothers wedding day, she just hopped off my lap and followed the bride down the aisle walking perfectly.

So from my experience I would say that if you have had your daughter checked out physically and no problems, maybe she is just physically cautious and a bit stubborn!

Kim - posted on 03/12/2010

My neice didnt walk until just before her 2cnd birthday my sister was told that because she was double jointed and that she was very bendy she didnt have as much strength in her legs but now shes walking and running with the best of them some just develope later than others.

Lisa - posted on 03/11/2010

Thank you everyone for your inputs. At her 18 month ck up the doc said her legs were fine, which i assume included her hips. She lays her down on her back and rotates her legs to ck. and she had no problems. She crawls fine, she can bend her legs stretch them and she can move them anyway with no discomfort. She can touch her chin with her toes when she is laying on her back, lol. My husband feels that if there was something wrong with her legs she would be having trouble doing other things as well, like crawling and even just standing on them. I thought there was something wrong with her back/spine for the longest time too until she finally sat up on her own...she really sat up late, after her 1st bday. She's giving me grey hair already, lol.

Noelia - posted on 03/11/2010

I would discard your docs; "info", + check local Early Intervention and/or Preventive Services in your area for more in depth study + exposure to other professionals/developmental specialists. I have worked in the field for awhile + even the fact that this is causing stress to both you + your child tells me you should check such resources in your area, Even just to ease your mind. Check your local phone book, community centers etc. for such resources. Talk to other parents. If you have no insurance or sub par insurance, such organizations can help you obtain insurance. The best of luck. Any more questions just send to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! Noelia

Amanda - posted on 03/11/2010

I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS EARLY AND THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME SHE WOULD BE A MONTH BEHIND...HOWEVER MANY DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS HAVE BEEN FOUND. NOW AS FAR AS THE WALKING SHE DIDN'T START UNTIL SHE WAS 18 MONTHS OLD. HAVE HER HIPS CHECKED. BROOKLYNN HAD PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR A WHILE THROUGH "FIRST STEPS" WHICH IS A LOCAL PROGRAM. YOU CAN CALL AND ASK YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPT. ABOUT IT. BUT ANYWAY HER HIP SOCKETS ARE NOT CONGRUENT AND THEY TOLD ME SHE WOULD PROBABLY NEVER WALK AND IF SHE DID SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BRACES. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!! SHE WILL DO IT IN HER OWN TIME BUT I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HAVING YOUR PEDIATRICIAN GIVE YOU A REFERRAL TO HAVE XRAYS DONE ON HER HIPS THROUGH A CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. ONE THING YOU CAN DO AT HOME THAT THEY DID IN THERAPY (IN MY HOUSE) IS SET HER ON AN EXCERCISE BALL AND KINDA ROLL HER AROUND SO THAT SHE HAS TO "CATCH" HERSELF WITH HER FEET BUT MAKE HER STAY ON THE BALL. I WILL KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH YOU BUT I WOULD REALLY TRY TO GET A REFERRAL. **JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!**

Jasmine - posted on 03/11/2010

other than her brother is she around alot of kids often. That could help her big time she will be more encourage to walk.

Lisa - posted on 03/11/2010

Well to add to my first comment...my daughter has been very behind my son so far, by months. She crawled very late and it took her a while to do that right, she didn't sit up until the end of the summer last year so way after their 1st bday, so it seems like this is a pattern with her she's taking her time with all of the mobile skills but yet she is talking more then my son, so what she lacks she makes up for verbally. Not sure if that makes a difference but I just wanted you all to know that maybe she is just slower to move... she is the princess, lol. What she is doing when we try to make her stand is the same thing she did when we would try to make her sit up, she would just throw herself back like it was a game, so frustrating...thats why Im not sure if im over reacting or what.

Cassandra - posted on 03/11/2010

My baby is not a the point of walking yet but he was also a premmie. I understand that your son is walking but maybe your daughter is just not at that develpmental stage yet. They told me that was son may be slighty behind other children in progress of walking and such. They said it can take 3 years for premmie's to catch up. I dont know how much i agree with that but maybe its true in your case. I would definetly take her to a different pediatrician to get another opinion because they say if they arent walking by 18 months to take the child in and get a check up.
I also know a child who isnt walking yet that is 20 months old. The doctors said he is perfectly fine, why would he walk when someone can carry him lol The baby likes all the attention he gets. Kinda like when a child doesnt talk because a older sibling does the talking for the younger one.

Kathy - posted on 03/11/2010

I think it's time to get a second opinion.There may be nothing wrong at all, bearing in mind that she was prem, but there could be issues that could be sorted with some treatment. I think a physio or an ortho would be more helpful than a paediatrician.

All the best. I hope there's nothing wrong that a bit of patience won't cure, but your peace of mind is very important!

Rose - posted on 03/11/2010

You might try taking them to someone who specializes in fitting children with shoes. I took care of a child when I was a teen and she didn't walk when she should have. My mom took her her a renouned shoe store and they put her in a pair of shoes, needless to say, she started walking immediately.

Andrea - posted on 03/11/2010

I would definitely get her in to see a physiotherapist now. My sister has been going through this with my 22 month old niece. She can walk holding someone's hand or pushing her plastic shopping cart, but not on her own. She has been working with a developmental specialist for a month now just to get to this point. She starts physiotherapy next month as she still doesn't bend her legs and walks bull-legged. Before she has started receiving help, she used to break out in a sweat when she walked holding both of someone's hands. You are doing the right thing by encouraging her to walk with a hand and a stroller. Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 03/11/2010

I would get a second opinion. An orthopedist would be good if you can find one that will check a child that age. If not, ask every mom you know to look at her walk. If the consensus is that she looks like a normal kid trying to walk, then you know there is probably nothing to worry about. Keep holding her hand and trying to get her to walk.