DS not walking yet

My son will be 15 months on the 13th of april and is still not walking independantly. I believe that he can walk but chooses not to due to lack of confidence. He walks with minimal support, like holding my finger with one hand, and also his push along toys he runs with them! lol. He has been on time with all other milestones. He points at everything and tries to say what they are so he doesnt seem delayed with anything else at this stage. He also cruises and crawls. I've mentioned it to my GP and asked weather I should see a physiotherapist but he insured that he is still in the normal age range and comforted me by saying that one of his sons walked at 16 months. Has anyone else had this problem? And is there anything I can do to encourage him to walk. He has taken a few steps independantly, but once he realizes he cautiously bends his legs and sits down..

My first daughter was the same. She was pulling herself up and walking along furniture a week after learning to crawl at 9 months, but didnt start walking independently until 15 months. She was also very cautious.

We gave her lots of encouragement praise & cuddles, & got her to walk a few steps between me & her dad.

Eventually one night she just let go of the couch & wobbled a few steps, then the next day she walked the entire length of the house.

He will do it when he feels ready. He will gain confidence in his own time. He's on the right track smile

Hi there,
Your DS is very much within the 'normal' range for walking. He is actually doing really well but does seem still to be building the confidence to 'let go'.
It's important not to rush children but you could try this little trick:
My sis gave her daughter the hem of her own dress to hold and that seemed to satisfy her need to hang on. A friend gave her DS a spoon to hold which also worked! smile

Thankyou ladies for your advice and support.. =] I can be a bit impatient at times, I'm expecting my second baby and am so dedicated to get him walking hopefully before the next baby is born as then I know my time has to be divided =/.. I've tried that spoon method but with pens as my son loves to draw and everytime I hold the pens, he assumes I'm going to take them off him and the tantrum begins lol

As I'm sure you know all babies develop differently!! Does sound a little like he just needs a little more confidence, and then he'll be off and racing, and you'll be racing too.

Try not to worry too much, my niece is almost 21 months old, and still not walking, but she's getting there, and your DS will get there too.

Sorry no suggestions on how to get him walking by himself, but he will get there, there's seriously no rush.

Hi smile
Your little one sounds fine just being a little cautious but once he gets his confidence he'll be off and running lol.
Oh and a big Congratulations for expecting baby number 2. I hope your pregnancy goes well.

Hi there, I totally agree with the previous replies... It will happen eventually. All babies are different, and once he builds his confidence up, he'll be running around the house and there will be no stopping him! smile

My ds is the same too.. Going in 16 months and still not walking independently. He is cruising on furniture, walking while aided etc, but I am more than happy to wait as I can hardly keep up with him crawling let alone walking!

All the best for the future and congratulations on baby #2! smile

My DD walked at 17 months! I think it was a lack of confidence in her case too, we'd see her sort of try to start walking, and as soon as she realised we were watching she'd sit down and pretend she wasn't doing it!

At the time I was quite worried thinking that this was an incredibly late age. Especially because she was a breech baby, and breech babies usually do have some kind of delay when it comes to crawling, walking, etc.

However, I now know that it isn't incredibly late. It's still within the normal range, and there are lots of people that will tell you that their babies started walking at that age!

Also, oldest/only children are often walk later, presumably because they don't have anyone to follow. My DD was even in full-time daycare and had plenty of people to follow, but still didn't walk! I remember a time when she was the only child there not walking; there were even children 6 months younger who were walking.

He will get there in his own time, so don't stress!

Just an update ladies my son started walking last night!! He started at exactly 15 months and 4 days.. Thankyou all for your kind words and advice! As mothers we all want to believe that everything is fine and most of the time we're just worry warts, but honestly when one person would say 'oh isnt he walking yet'? the panic buttons would turn on! You were all right, he just wasnt ready yet.. It was my birthday on saturday, so this was my personal birthday present from my son lolol... much luv =]

Just an update ladies my son started walking last night!! He started at exactly 15 months and 4 days.. Thankyou all for your kind words and advice! As mothers we all want to believe that everything is fine and most of the time we're just worry warts, but honestly when one person would say 'oh isnt he walking yet'? the panic buttons would turn on! You were all right, he just wasnt ready yet.. It was my birthday on saturday, so this was my personal birthday present from my son lolol... much luv =]

That's great, enjoy running after him now!!!

And happy birthday for Saturday!!