How can I get my 2 1/2 year old baby to walk?

Question

My baby is 2 and a half and still won't walk - i've tried several exercises with her but she just won't do it. Doctors say that they can't do anything to help until she reaches 3 but she is getting so heavy, i'm really struggling now.

Thanks to all those who have posted answers for me - i should point out that she crawls very well and gets around by shuffling along on her bum which means she can get everything she needs at home without walking. She does stand now but after a short while throws herself back onto the floor.

Answer 1

i agree with Tammerz or you could try a walker that baby sits in ......she will learn what to do

Answer 2

It sounds like you carry her a lot since you say she's getting heavy. Stop carrying her around, that should help some. If she whines and cries, don't give in. 2.5 is too old not to be walking. Usually late bloomers are walking by 18-20 mos. If your doctor refuses to help her, then take her elsewhere. Rule out a medical reason. If the other doctors say the same thing, then it means that she's not being encouraged enough at home (even though you probably are encouraging her constantly!). Hold her fingers and make her walk while holding onto them. At 2.5 she's old enough to begin understanding incentives. She might just be REALLY cautious--get her walker push toys and make her do it two or three times a day for ten or fifteen minutes each time. As soon as she sits down, make her start again.

Also, your daughter is no longer a baby. She's considered a toddler either when she begins walking or at age 18 mos. She might be getting "babied" too much which isn't helping the problem.

Answer 3

if the doctors are sure this isn't a medical problem, they probably want to give her every chance to do it on her own before they take things any further, it may be the case were you will have to be firm with her and not pick her up, if she wants a certain toy or what ever tell her she must get it herself. (I assume she is not using any other method of getting around, because you say she is getting heavy to carry)
It will probably involve some tears and tantrums but it will be worth it if she starts getting herself around, even if it's just crawling at first.
If you are worried this is a medical thing, then by all means get a second opinion, if you just have a stubborn toddler then you may just need to be very firm and stick to not picking her up unless it is really necessary, she will get bored of being stuck in one place and eventually move herself when she sees you are not going to give in to her.

ok, the fact that she is crawling and and starting to stand is a good sign, these are usually the stages before walking begins it means that she can do it!
I think she will do it in good time, I wouldn't be suprised if she was walking in a couple of weeks from now.
Im sure if there was anything seriously medically wrong the doctors would have stepped in by now, saying that they may decide to to do further investigations later if she still isn't walking nearer to the age of three.
Encourage her as much as you can by giving lots of praise when she stands and let her hold your hands to walk at first, she will get there in the end.

Answer 4

You say she is creeping on her bottom. I would definitely recommend a device that encourages her stand more. I know pediatricians say no walkers. I put my son in a walker at 9 months and at 11 months he just got up and walked. At this point she may be too big for an exersaucer or a johnny jump up or a hop and pop, but if you can find something that she can fit in or that you can adjust to encourage her to stand more I think that would help. I would also suggest walking exercises... if you take her to the mall for example, hold her by her hands, raise them in the air and let her walk in front of you ( i hope you understand that description). The more you walk with her the more she'll get it. My friend even let her baby stand on her (the mom's) feet while she faced forward and walked with her. Children develop differently and at different stages. Some (like my son) need to be pushed or they'll happily be a "baby" forever. If she is developmentally on target for everything else and just isn't walking.... I say lots of walking with her and looooottttts of encouragement!!!

Answer 5

my daugher is a prem and we have to see a consultant regularly to ensure that she is developing properly. My cons said that they wouldn't worry about walking till babies are 18months (in our case 18months corrected so 21months). I would suggest that you see you HV/GP for a referral to the Paed so she can have a full check up and if necessary they will refer to physio or maybe the CDC. I am assuming that she met all her other milestones at the correct times and that she has had her hips checked by te GP at the 8 week check and all ok. I am not sure why they are waiting till she is 3?
She is probably just being lazy because she can get around by crawling, bum shuffling. Does she pull herself up or cruise?
I am not keen on sit in walkers myself (dangerous) the walk alon ones are ok, but I liked the idea that someone suggested of putting things just out of her reach so she has to stand to get them.
Hope you get some help from the GP x

Answer 6

What's the story with the other aspects of her development? Does she have cognitive and/or speech and language delay? Unless there is a global delay and she is only functioning below a 16 month level, the prognosis can only improve with the earliest intervention possible.
I totally agree she needs to be seen by a developmental pediatrician at a teaching hospital (one attached to a medical school, which has residency program) to get to the bottom of this. The doctors she has already seen should be shot for dragging this out! These problems will interfere with her education if not seen to NOW. If you are in the US, you can have her evaluated, at no charge, by the specialists at your neighborhood elementary school. All you need to do is talk to the school principal and request evaluations for the early intervention program offered by the school district.

Answer 7

My son, which is going to be 2 in October, is not walking, well he just started walking a very little from the door to my couch by himself (at least 5-7 feet)and he does that ever so ofter, but he is talking at all just a little noises. He loves to be cuddled and play with us sometimes. But he is crawling all over the place. He is involved with child development services and they think is might have autism. Does your child not do anything that children his age should, like talking?? If so I would ask your Doctor about that. If could be autism.

Answer 8

I can't believe the docs wont do anything yet - my son was referred to a specialist at 18 months because he was not walking by then, he started a month later. Bum shufflers are notoriously slow to walk and I know my friends son was two when he started but as there were no physical problems shown on xrays he was just slow. Just keep encouraging her and don't be afraid to offer rewards, try using a star chart to encourage her and the treat at the end of the week should be incentive enough.

Answer 9

Try making walking fun if shes standing level yourself to her height have a treat for her. this is how i did it with my son, i would let him grip hold of one finger on each hand and let him do some steps with him using me to balance then after a while slowly move you fingers away she may only do one step but hey its one step further the more you do this the more confidence she will have and if you give her a treat after she has done a step or so she will want to do it more and more also dont forget to praise her in your own way ie clapping, calling her a good girl make a big fuss of it she will love the attention i hope this will help good luck!!

Answer 10

sounds like she is being slightly lazy? if you do most things for her she will know i dont have to mum will etc. just put some of her toys on a table which she has stand and reach for. i hate the idea that doctors wont help you till shes 3. when she pulls up at you to get carried dont just stand her up and say walk with me encourage her saying your such a big girl you can do it etc. or even make a game out of it do a fun race in the garden get big hoops and get her to stand in it. it must be the hardest things and i hope someone is able to give you some more ideas xx

Answer 11

Is she an only child? I got quite worried about my second son because he wasn't walking or talking nearly as quickly as his brother. The health visitor put me right. She watched the children for a while and said he was just lazy. He didn't need to walk and talk because in their own baby language he told his brother what he wanted and big bro brought it to him. He had his own personal slave.
Your daughter sounds fine to me. She's crawling and standing - maybe not for long but at least she's bearing her own weight. I'd encourage this. Give her bags of praise when she stands and hold out your hands for her to try and walk into them and make a big fuss of her when she makes the attempt.