My son is a normal 13 month old but he won't walk.?

Question

He is large for his age, but not overweight. He's about 27 lbs and can walk along furniture easy. He's been walking along the walls for 5 months, and he can stand alone too, and we encourage him to no end, but he doesnt even seem to have the desire! I'm 5 months pregnant and am beginning to struggle to carry him, so I NEED him to learn and get past the awkward stage of toddling hopefully before the new baby comes because I dont think I could carry both! Any ideas please!

Answer 1

You are fretting over nothing!..Now stop it!!...lol....You know the wonderful thing about children is that they do things when THEY want to and their body is ready not when WE want them to or think they should!...I have a 13 year old and a 7 year old and that is one of the biggest lessens I have learned so far...All we can really do as parents is let them grow in a loving environment and do the best we can to teach them..It is up to them to listen and take our advice..They are simply going to do what they are going to do when they are going to do it..These things can not be rushed....Sit back and enjoy him as best you can while he is small...PLEASE!!...lol....I know it is easier said then done but you know what?...He will start walking the very day you let it go!!..I promise!....ss

Answer 2

i have a friend who's daughter was 18 months before she started even trying. the walking along the furniture and walls is how my daughter started, so it sounds like he's almost there. my daughter was 9 months when she took her first un-assisted steps. i have this on a video, me sitting across the room from her with a cheez-it cracker going, "come on, come on, that's a good girl", and it sounds like i'm training a dog or something. you know, he's probably already taken a step or two on his own when your back is turned. refuse to carry him unless absolutely necessary. if he hasn't started walking on his own by the time the new baby comes, all the attention you have to give the new baby may be the incentive he needs to do it. i have found, with everything my daughter has accomplished ( first words, steps, pee-pee on the potty,etc.), that making a HUGE production out of whatever the accomplisment was has been the best encouragement. for instance, the first time she did a wee on the potty chair, i literally shrieked at the top of my lungs and jumped up and down clapping and told her over and over what a good job she'd done and hugged and kissed her until i was out of breath, and she got a hershey's kiss. that set the pattern. although she was a little startled at first, and my neighbor downstairs came up too see if something was wrong, i was that loud, but really, i was that excited! be warned, though, once he does start walking, the running and CLIMBING are soon to follow, and you'll be peeling him off the ceiling, and you'll find yourself moving breakable or dangerous things to higher and higher places for the next few years! i have been told that boys are usually slower than girls with walking, but i think that's too much of a generalization. he's at just the right age now, i'm sure you'll turn around one day and just catch him at it, and once he starts, you will probably find yourself often wishing he hadn't. once they get their feet under them and past the "drunken sailor" stage of walking, they are hard to catch;)

Answer 3

My daughter was 13 months old b/4 she took her first steps. There is nothing wrong. I know that it's hard to carry him while being pregnant, (new baby 6 weeks old). Try to get him to walk by hold his hands. My daughter would do that but not walk on her own. Get behind him and take his hands in yours and walk. Maybe that will get him more used to being mobile with out side walking with walls and furniture. Be patient and encourage him as much as you can. You might try exposing him to kids around his age that can walk. He might get the idea. Good luck

Answer 4

My daugther was doing all those things that you are describing by 13 months too but she was afraid to let go of hands or furniture. She's always been a cautious child. So my husband and I would sit on the floor, opposite each other, just a few steps away and would try to coax her into going from one to the other. We would praise her a lot too. It worked. She actually had fun making those first steps on her own. She was 13 months and a half when she started walking by herself.

Answer 5

He will do it when he is ready. Just make sure you are giving him plenty of "floor time" to practice his skills. If it makes you feel any better, my son is 16 months old (tall and large for his age, but not overweight) and doesn't walk on his own. I know you are having difficulties because you are pregnant, but you can't MAKE him walk. I do think he got better at cruising after I enrolled him in a daycare program that had a toddler room where he is exposed to others who are learning to walk. Some centers keep them in a baby room until they can walk (which is crazy to me). I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but this is about him, not you.

Answer 6

My daughter was 8lbs 14 ozs, but she thinned out her first year and she began walking about 11 months. I am not sure if there is anything to be concerned about. Do you try working with her? My husband and I would sit accross from each other on the floor, at first only a couple feet and get her to come to us from the other. Gradually we got a little further and further away from each other until it was across the room and away she went walking everywhere. Maybe try something like that. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Try standing him up in the middle of the room a few times. By this age you are now battling with him not wanting to do what you want him too and a ride from Mom is nicer then getting around himself! Have him walk to get the things he wants...if a great reward or treat is at theother end he will be running very shortly! good luck!

Answer 8

My son was 12 1/2 months when he finally started walking. One night he got fussy in church, so I spent the entire service walking him back and forth across the church lobby. By the end of services, he was going on his own. My back hurt for a week from bending over to hold his hand, but it was worth it. Once he finally got going, he didn't quit.

Wear him out. Get him in a place where there are no walls nearby, and walk him back and forth over and over. He's probably very close to getting ready to turn loose.

Answer 9

How mucch do you actually carry him around the house.
I have 2 and I know how hard it is to see them struggle.
also its easier to tote him sometimes.
Before I say more I want to say ONLY DO THIS IN THE HOUSE.
uNLESS HE IS HURT, EXTREAMLY TIRED OR SICK, tell him to follow you into the next room.
hold out favorite toys to him . If he wants them bad enough unless he just can't he will finally come get them.
Have you talked to his doctor?
Get him evaluated by an early intervention program.
Mine is in one and she loves her thearapist.
she is walking and talking much better. still has speach problems but she is geting there.
Google early intervention or first steps for your state. Then call or e-mail for help.They will also be in the phone book.
some kids also developo later or sooner than others. It may not be convienent ,but don't label him yet.
You did not say where dad is but he needs to help in this too.

Answer 10

Ask your pediatrician. If your child is walking along furniture (holding onto it) and walls, he will be walking on his own soon. He is still very young. Still, ask your pediatrician for advice. My guess is that by the time the baby arrives in four months, your first will be walking independently unless something is not right, in which case that is why you ask a PROFESSIONAL!