Signs your child could be a late walker

Watching your baby take their first steps is a milestone worth celebrating. However, if your baby is still not walking after 12 months old, they could simply be a late bloomer.

While most babies start walking by the age of one year old, children with proper gross motor development may walk later. 

“Not all children walk in the first year,” says Penny Glass, a developmental psychologist. “While most children walk or attempt to walk by 15 months, 18 months remains the upper limit of normal.”

How can a parent tell the difference between a child who is late walking and one who has a gross motor delay? 

According to Dr Glass, examining your baby’s personality, strength, total muscular tone, and curiosity is beneficial. 

During infancy, signs of gross motor deficits will appear. Children should generally have decent head control by four months of age and be able to sit upright by seven or eight months of age. 

By nine months, most babies are crawling in some manner. According to Dr Glass, if toddlers accomplish these milestones but are late in walking, this is less concerning.

It’s also critical to consider your baby’s personality or temperament. Some babies are interested observers, while others are more active, physically exploring their surroundings. Babies with advanced social and engaging abilities may walk later because they are more interested in observing their surroundings.

What can parents do to help? 

You can help your baby develop walking skills by sitting on the floor and allowing your child to try to pull herself up to stand safely encircled by your arms. This is an opportunity for your baby to practise holding on while standing to achieve the balance required to stand without assistance and eventually walk. 

Medical reasons why your child is not walking yet

There are many reasons for late walking in babies. Some physical (but uncommon), reasons may include:

• Developmental hip dysplasia
• Soft or weak bones (medically termed rickets)
• Conditions that affect the muscle (for example, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy)

If you are concerned about your child’s physical development, speak to their paediatrician for professional guidance and support.