My 17 month old daughter can walk. She can walk across an entire room, turn around and come back without help or falling. She has even walked from the livingroom to the dining room and then back to the living room. But the next day, she completely refuses to walk. She walks on her knees as a way of getting around, she no longer crawls. She is a triplet and sees her brother and sister running around, so it's not that she isn't exposed to toddlers her own age. I don't know if I should worry. It may be that she is extremely stubborn.
Thank you all so much for your help. Madison finally decided walking is faster than her knees. I honestly think she was just stubborn, or extremely smart because she was getting extra attention from me. Oh well, I am extremely relieved. Thanks again.
My daughter will talk one day and then not the other..... the same with waving and standing up she only does it when she feels like it. I know my baby is spoiled and that is probly part of it... but o would just let her do her thing...she'll walk when she wants.
If she is ABLE to walk and your doctor isn't concerned, I would not worry about it. My son went back and forth, walking and scrambling around and crawling for quite a while. Also, lots of toddlers go through a phase where they really WANT to be picked up and carried ALL THE TIME, lol. Especially if she feels like she is competing with siblings for your attention or time in your arms- why walk when you can make mama pick YOU up instead of someone else, lol?!
It sounds like a phase. As long as the doctor says she is developing normally, keep encouraging her to walk and don't fret about it :)
I would say no she is not just stubborn. See a physical therapist and your pediatrician to be sure. Tripplets have a higher incident of developmental issues than singletons, which I am sure that you know. Kids don't usually do this kind of thing for attention, they are too interested in being independent and there is so much more in it for them to get up and walk and check stuff out.
Get it checked out.
M.
Hi, I'm a pediatric physical therapist. I'd say if you are concerned enough to ask this question, then it's probably a good idea to have her checked by a pediatric therapist. It may just be she's developing a little differently from her siblings, or there could be some tough-to-see issue that's interfering with her walking. Often, it's something very simple and the PT can show you a few things to do at home to help. Some kids just need a little jump-start. Some kids are very hypersensitive on their feet (and maybe hands too) and don't want to put them flat on the floor. If you notice that she doesn't like her hands messy or doesn't like to touch different surfaces, like grass or carpet, that maybe the issue. If you decide to have her evaluated, please search out a PT who works exclusively with kids, since adult therapists or PTs who see all ages aren't used to spotting small issues in kids and may miss something. Hope this helps!
My daughter didn't walk until she was 17 months. At first I was worried. She also didn't crawl. She had a lopsided scoot. But she's okay now. She didn't need any special therapy. I know a child around your daughter's age who also did the same thing. He was a boy and would follow the kids around on his knees. But I would think walking on one's knees would be hard on the joint and it would be good to have a physical therapist take a look and give you ideas on how to encourage your daughter to engage in alternative ways of getting around.
I wouldn't think she's being stubborn at all about her walking. This is a huge accomplishment for her and she's as proud of herself as anyone she just doesn't tell you yet. It may be that her joints and/or muscles just aren't strong enough to do it yet on a regular basis. As long as she is developing, walking and seems comfortable and balanced, I wouldn't worry at all about the frequency.
Don't take any chances - have her evaluated for physical therapy just to be on the safe side.
If you think she is stubborn, show her you can take it longer than her. Just ignore the behavior. Do not say a word. I would suggest you all go from one end of the house to the other to play Hide and seek with toys. Have the kids stay in one room while you hide the toys in different spots around the house.
When you all go outside and play, never offer to pick her up. There may be some fits, but once again step over her and go about your business.
Is she barefoot? It is the best way for your child to walk around at home. Make sure any shoes she wears are properly fitted. I remember a little cousin kept telling her parents she "did not like her shoes".. Once they took her for new shoes, they discovered she was 2 sizes larger! She had a growing spurt and they did not realize it..
My baby boy did the same thing. He took his first steps right after his first birthday. We got super excited, but after a few days and a bad bout of teething, he just stopped walking. We would stand him up and call him to us, but he would just smile at us and sit down. Finally, after about a month and a half he just started walking again. I have decided that he doesn't like to do things that he can't do well, and didn't like the falling down. He's walking like a pro now. I would give her a little bit more time, but it never hurts to consult with your doctor if you are concerned. Good luck!
I think that 17 months is too old to be refusing to walk just for kicks. My instinct is that she doesn't walk because it's uncomfortable in some way. That's the only reason why I can think of choosing to doing something in a harder or less efficient way than what your skill level allows. I do not believe that it is a "stubbornness" issue.
The fact that she walks on her knees is disturbing because I'll bet she could crawl a lot faster than she can knee scoot. This means that she is choosing not to crawl because she can do better (ie-walk) but walking is somehow disturbing to her (ie-painful) so she has created a hybrid form of locomotion between what babies do and what her siblings do.
My money is on something being wrong with her ankles of feet. Take her to a doctor.
My friend's daughter did the same thing. Her doctor said that she would walk when she was ready. Finally, at around 18 months, she started walking all the time. If you know everything is physically okay, I wouldn't worry about it too much!
A friend of mine had twins and said one was really late to walk. They had her evaluated, and the physical therapist noticed that they other twin would get everything for her, so she didn't need to walk! :) Once they separated them a bit, the one that was not walking started to do so. Not sure if that is your situation, but maybe more alone time with you or your spouse and extra encouragement would help.
