My baby is 20 months old and hasn't started walking.?

Question

She scoots to get around and she does it very fast. She has never crawled normally. Any suggestions on how I can get her to walk? She cries when I try standing her up and we had x-rays done to see if her bones were okay and they were. Help please. Only serious advice please, no jokes, this is a very sensitive issue. Thanks.

Answer 1

I know this isn't the answer you want but you're just going to have to wait her out....Our oldest scooted everywhere on her but until about 20months also according to my mom I did the same until I was 2.....She's probably working on more intelligent things rather than walking right now...For example about 1 week after mine started walking she was completely potty trained (she did herself we were waiting to even start thinking about trying it).....Good Luck

Answer 2

My little brother was 20 months before he started walking. He had to have therapy to get him started, but in the end they found out he was just lazy and since scooting around got the job done he didn't see a reason why he should walk. Ask your doctor about getting your daughter therapy. Around here there is two programs one is called Birth To Three and the other is the Crippled League. Don't let the name of the second one get to you, it just helps kids who are behind doing certian things. Both were free, but can be covered by insurance if there is a small fee.

Usually they will come to your home and work with her there. Your doctor might also want to preform other tests to make sure her nerves and stuff are alright since she cries when stood up.

Answer 3

I was 18 months, but Mom was a firm believer in the playpen, so I never really crawled either.

Your baby is definitely nearing the age where I would be concerned. Talk to your pediatrician and ask for a specialist who can do a full evaluation. If she is laying on her back, does she bicycle kick when she plays, did she ever? There are more then just bones here to be looked at. Muscles, nerves, if standing causes pain maybe there is a problem with the tendons and ligaments needing to be stretched.

I am sure it is minor, but it should not be delayed.

Answer 4

Usually babies pick up fairly quick, some walk within a year, others it takes them a while. I believe that the problem might be on how you are with your child, as far as discipline. Now when I say discipline I don't mean the right from wrong style, but how you react to your child when you stand her upright. If when you stand her upright she cries and you immediately put her down, you are pretty much not being the boss and telling her that she will stand, it may be hard to hear her cry while you do that but it is a way to implement that thought in her brain that standing is ok. I suggest you try to stand her upright while you hold her and let her cry, she will tire at some point, but you can also begin to teach her to keep her balance and walk while you hold her and eventually she will walk on her own. Remember that you are the boss and should not give in to kids so easily, even if it's hard not to.

Answer 5

I would discuss this further with your pediatrician, this is a developmental milestone that your child should've reached by now. If your pediatrician blows you off by giving you the line of "all babies develop at their own rate" then find another one. You might have to take her to a developmental pediatrician, they are trained in dealing with developmental issues in children. Your local children's hospital should also be able to advise you towards specialists in your area. She could also have muscular issues. You need to find a good doctor, for your childs sake. You're right, this is a very serious issue, I wish I could help you more. But I would get on the phone setting up an appointment with the pediatrician first thing Tuesday morning, and don't take "no" for an answer. Best of luck to you and your child.

Answer 6

If the pediatricians don't think anything is wrong with her than she is probably fine, just a slow developer. She is old enough to understand the concept of earning a reward, so try rewarding her for standing up without crying (even a couple M&M's might do the trick), and progress from there. As long as there is nothing seriously wrong with her, don't stress it too much in front of her or try to push her into it too much. If she refuses to cooperate one day, let it go for then, or she will really start to associate walking (and learning to walk) with being upset, and that will get you nowhere.

Answer 7

my first daughter didn't walk until she was about 14 months old and my second started walking two days before her first birthday. so every child is different. i will say that 20 months does seem a little late but it doesn't necessarily mean that their is anything seriously wrong with her. i would have her muscles checked out though. she could just be afraid and needs her confidence boosted. i think you should try physical therapy. pt will help you learn different things that you could do to help her along too. if all else fails and you are really worried go get a second opinion, good luck.

Answer 8

Her doctor needs to do more extensive testing than just an X-ray. Babies that don't walk by 16 months need to be evaluated for other problems. My step-daughter's friend has an almost 3 year-old that did not walk until 18 months and now they are finding out that she may have a chromosome disorder.

Answer 9

Let your baby take its time to walk. Try putting toys on top of the couch or something to encourage her to stand and get them. Try playing with her by putting her at one end and you at the other, then call her while holding a toy or something. Make her learn its how she needs to learn how to walk to go place. Once she does your gonna wish she didnt because those little legs go everywhere:D

Answer 10

Can't say I have heard of this one before, I have four kids, all walked at 9 months....not sure why she cries when you stand her up, did you talk to your pediatrician? Hold her up anyways and do the walking motion with her and try to make it fun, just keep at it! Good luck!