20 Month Old Reluctant to Walk

A.,
Oh wow, I would say let her go at her own pace.

Not that this makes me an expert, but working in a daycare, we had 2 year olds that were just starting to walk when they transitioned. (I also learned that 2 year olds can sit and learn at a table like their older counterparts - just like in school! It is rare to find a teacher for 2-year-olds.)

I think she'll get the hang of it! She just may need a little extra time developing those muscles needed for locomotion. Soon you'll wonder - why was I worried? (or at least I hope that's what happens!)

How does PT handle this? Does her brother walk with her? (I'd like to know if this is normal or not also).

Good luck,
M.

What does her therapist think??? I honestly think it's just a stage, my sister and my niece both crawled with straight legs(butt high in the air)...just encourage and try not to push...unless there is a definite physical problem she will get it, this is just a stage....do you have a pool or acess to one? swimming/kicking and walking in the water will help strengthen her muscles(and cool you all off)if you can look into the YMCA for lessons...they are included in most memberships(as is daycare, so you could focus on one kid at a time, and if $ is an issue they have special plans if you meet the requirements).Another idea is to take her outside on the driveway/sidewalk...it may be too uncomfortable and she may want to stand up(of course she could scrape her knees...)or try the grass it might be too itchy...but all in all, I think it will come in time and before you know it you'll be chasing them in opposite dirctions wishing they'd just sit back down again :) Be patient and good luck!

I was told that the longer they crawl, the smarter they are. I personally fell when i was young and stopped walking, it took a long time for me to learn again, and it was not until after my parents got a boxer. I would grab on to her tail and follow her, but i was 20 months old from what i remember being told. give her time. she may be focusing on other things that are more important to her. she may also be watching her brother and learning from him before she trys anything. sure fire way to not get into trouble for things that he did. LOL. God Bless with the little ones.

i had a similar situation with my b/g twins. my son walked first, but still late-ish (they were preemies) at about 14 months. my girl walked about 2 months later. but she was clearly capable-she would climb tables! she also did the knee walk! if your doctor is not worried then you shouldn't worry. every time i put her down i would make sure i left her standing and i cut down on carrying her. good luck.

A.,
Does your daughter cruise around by holding onto furniture? Encourage her to do that on her feet.
I have one child, now 4 yrs. When he was first starting to walk, I pretended to fall down while walking in the house (on carpet to keep me from getting hurt!). He would laugh at me, and I'd laugh at myself and say, "Ooops! That's O.K." and get up again. Once he understood that it's O.K. to fall when trying to walk, he was more willing to let go of the furniture and take steps on his own.

My twins were 2 and a half pounds and 5 and a half pounds. My son spent 2 and a half months inthe hospital at two and a half months he was treated developmentally as a new born. In spite of all his problems he walked by the time he was two. I myself did not walk till I was two and it had to do with )as I reflect back) to depth perception issues.
I think she will be just fine and dont compare the two as they are going to be defferent and thats my 2 cents....

Hi A.,

I would have her evaluated just to make sure everything is okay. My son was late in walking and I took him for the tests and thank God he was fine. All the best with your lovely twins!! :)

The good thing is that you are getting her PT. Are you doing it through Early Intervention? (If not, you can do it through EI and it will be free). 20 months is pretty late to walk, but you're doing the right thing by getting PT. What does the PT say?

Dont feel that your alone! My first son did not walk until he was 20 months...everyone said i was being a "spoiler" -we lived in CA at the time with no family but my husband and i-when we moved back to NY. Our family members would laugh when they saw our son he would not even crawl he would "roll" to his destination! I put him in day care for encouragement...nothing-he continued to roll.i continuously went to the pediatrician and questioned this behavior. At 20 months old he just stood up and decided to walk one night! Every tells you when they are ready to do things they will...and when your little one is ready she will walk on her own. They reassured me that "he cant roll forever"...
Good Luck, enjoy the twins