“Still not walking??” is the question I get weekly accompanied by the inevitable vague reassuring statement of “He’s just a lazy boy” “It’s just because he’s big” “He’ll get there in his own time“.
The thing is, he isn’t lazy and isn’t so big. He’s got good balance and pulls himself up onto everything and furniture surfs at the speed of light but he has absolutely no interest in walking by himself. Having seen the progression with Poppy who was walking behind a walker at 12 months and was a confident walker by 16 months, I can’t help but worry.
I’ve also noticed that his left foot sticks out to the side at an almost 45 degree angle when he walks. Doing initial research I found out that this is quite common and should correct itself as he stands more and builds the strength in his limbs. Only thing is, it hasn’t corrected itself after over 6 months of standing and cruising.
After worrying terribly that his reason for not walking was due to pain in his ankle I took him to the Drs and was pleasantly surprised but also slightly terrified to be referred straight away to a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at hospital. 😱 surgery!!!! WTF OMG!!!!!!
Then I took a chill pill (yeah that phrase gives my age away doesn’t it? 😆). Hoping that a spell of physio would be prescribed we waited with baited breath to receive our appointment date only to receive a letter from the surgeon’s office to say that they actually wouldn’t need to see him. Phew!
So now we’re a month on and he still isn’t walking and still isn’t progressing.
My plan is to sit tight until the magic 18 months box is ticked for the NHS then I’ll start the whole process again. Whilst also keeping my fingers crossed that in the meantime he starts by himself.
Anyone else with a late walker or have a similar problem with ankles? Any tips on encouraging him? Advice would be greatly appreciated.
xx
My uncle started walking at… 22 months!! And I can assure you that he’s unstoppable now at 62! Do you know any good osteopath around you? Maybe they could give you some advice and check that everything is Ok.
Hope Felix starts walking soon!
That’s so reassuring to hear Sophie. I’ll do a bit of research and see if can get him in to see one. Would be good to hear what they think. Thanks for your well wishes ❤️ xx
It’s so hard not to compare your child to others with each development milestone, especially if they are getting a little behind the average. It’s tough but take one day at a time and trust in the advice of the medical professionals. And if you really feel they are wrong, trust your mothering instincts and go back and demand for a second opinion. Good luck! x Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub
This is really wonderful advice, thank you ❤️ Yes you’re right, it’s so hard not to compare to other children and to his sister Poppy. The cogs start whirring as soon as the milestones are missed and so easy to go to the worst case scenario x
You don’t need to worry. I think we all worry about what seems to be slow progress in our children. He is just waiting until he’s entirely confident that he can do this. Trust me, he’ll be running before you know it. Pen x #coolmumclub
Absolutely you shouldn’t worry. children do everything in there own time and when he feels he is ready he’ll be off! He might be just more cautious than others and more worried about taking that risk to just let go. My brother didn’t speak until he was 4 years old! Turned out he just couldn’t be bothered! #coolmumclub
Thank you so much for your reassuring words. His sister was quite cautious and didn’t properly start walking until she was completely confident. We got a letter from hospital this morning with an appointment for him although it isn’t until December so will be interesting to see what they say and if he manages to start walking before it xx
Definitely no need to worry yet. My daughter didn’t walk till almost 19 months and then kind of skipped walking and went straight to running. My neighbours youngest was 2 before he started Both my kids held their feet funny at the start too. Unless he’s crying when he puts wait on his ankle I don’t think he’s in any pain. He’ll get there in his own time and just trust your instincts, if you want to seek an expert opinion after 18 months, even just to put your mind at rest, then do it x
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