Almost 14 Month Old Not Walking Yet. Should I Be Concerned?

Updated on October 14, 2010
R.M. asks from Oswego, IL
27 answers

Hi moms my oldest walked at 9 months and that was 5 years ago and i know every child is different but i was just wondering if any of your kids were late walkers. My almost 14 month old stands and walks holding on to everything and she has great balance, but she refuses to walk even a few steps on her own. I have tried standing her up and sitting in front of her to try and get her to take a few steps but she will plop right on her butt and crawl instead. I think maybe she is just being lazy , but should i be concerned? She has been slow with everything so far she didn't even sit up on her own until about 6 months old. So i would like to know, When did your kids start walking? Thanks in advance moms i always get such great advice from you all.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks moms for all the input. I was just curious what the normal age range for walking was. A few days after i asked this question she took a few steps and then walked all the way across the room. Thanks again moms. I guess she just wasn't ready yet.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

She is fine and still on target for the normal age for walking. My son didn't walk until 13 months, because he could crawl to something and get there faster.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Topeka on

My 3rd baby started walking at 14 months she just took off she did the same thing I would stand her up she would plop right back down she would walk with holding on to everything now it's as if she walked all along..She is very stubborn a go getter does everything her own way.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

My son walked at 14 months. He was cruising and loved pushing walker toys around. Before you know it she'll be running everywhere and you'll be missing these pre-walker days!

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

My son was a late walker, I'm fairly certain because he has *always* liked to be fast. So when he needed to GET somewhere, he blitz-crawled. Walking about was a game for him until he learned to do it quickly.

ALSO a thing to remember is that kids work on things during different times. Is she working on fine motor? Verbalizing? Hitting other milestones instead of this one?

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

It sounds like she is hitting her milestones, but a little slower. So long as she is hitting other ones, she should be fine. My boys walked very early 9 ,months, but my niece was almost 15 months when she started... but now that she's 4 you would never know it.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Dallas on

No worries!! She's on her own schedule and will walk when she's ready.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from Chicago on

My oldest was on this same schedule. She was cruising, but not walking until 14 months. But then only two months after she started to walk, she was already running. And jumping shortly thereafter.

Talk to your pediatrician if you're concerned.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Don't worry about her yet... my son was pretty "on-time" with everything (and I say that in quotes because there really is quite a large range of normal for children), but he was late-ish with walking, too. When he was around 14 months, the pediatrician recommended we look into calling a physical therapist about his walking.

Of course, being a first-time mommy, I panicked, and planned to call the therapist the next week. Right before I planned to call, my son started walking on his own - just got up and walked at 14 mos. I was also a later walker (17 months!!) and it hasn't seemed to prevent me from anything as an adult. :) Late bloomers are all right, but if you feel great concern, please ask your pediatrician.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Columbus on

I had one that walked at 12 mo, one at 16 mo and one at 10 mo.

Nothing to be concerned about. Totally within normal limits, she could go several more months and still be fine.

M.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Chicago on

my daughter didnt walk till she was 14 months old. She's now 20 months and running around like crazy!!

2 moms found this helpful

K.C.

answers from Orlando on

My daughter finally (it seemed to us) started walking at 13 1/2 months. She started crawling at just over 6 months so we had assumed that she would be an early walker as well, but she just took her time.

I've heard recently that if they arent walking by 18 months to have an evaluation. You can always see your childs dr. if you have concerns.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Dallas on

I walked at 17 months old (I was born 2 months early), my daughter followed my lead by walking at 15 months.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

My middle son walked at 18 months and I was more than ready for him to not be carried anymore. He is now 7 years old and fine.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I have three girls and they were all late walkers! My oldest did not walk until she was 15 months old, my middle at 13 months old, and my youngest was 17 months old. I was concerned for my youngest only because it was getting close to 18 months, but she got up and chased her big sisters one day. She is also slow in her speech and potty training, but she LOVES being the baby! I think she is going to milk it as long as she can:-)
I would not be too concerned until around the time she is getting close to 18 months. If you have that "mommy feeling" that there is more than meets the eye, then definately contact her doctor!!! Best of luck to you!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Chicago on

Don't worry too much! I was a very late walker (19 months.) My mother kept taking me to the pediatrician who kept telling her I was too busy learning to talk to learn how to walk. I spoke like an adult at 15 months. My husband was a very early talker and a very late walker. (It isn't very quiet at our house!) My first daughter was slow to meet the gross motor milestones, and also was a very early talker. There are some plusses to spending lots of time on the floor crawling -- studies show that the more time spent crawling results in stronger reading skills. However, you might want to have an eval by early intervention (ask your pediatrician or just google them and give them a call -- its a state run agency and the eval is free, services are provided at a subsidized cost based on a sliding income scale and insurance is factored in). If your child has a 30% or greater delay you can get physical therapy. It isn't a bad thing at all. My late-walking daughter got it and it really helped. She runs and does the monkey bars and all the things that other kids do and no one can tell any difference at all. These services weren't available when I was a kid but I wish I had gotten them. 14 months is still well within the "normal" range though. I'm pretty sure that 18 months is still considered the upper end of normal for walking. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

I have 3 children and they all walked at different ages, ranging from 9 months to 13 months. My sister's daugther didn't walk till almost 18 months, she would walk on her knees instead. Maybe you should talk to your pediatrician and get their perspective on the situation, this may help ease your anxiety. Everything will be fine and your daughter is healthy! :)

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.U.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter did not walk until 14 1/2 months. She was the same way as yours - barely taking any steps and only crawling or walking while holding onto furniture. If she fell, she would go the rest of the way crawling, Then one day she just suddenly walked all on her own from one end of the house to the other. She spent the rest of the day walking all over the house. If she fell down, she picked herself up and kept on walking. From that day on, she never crawled again. It happened a little later than average for her, but when it did happen, it was all at once and that was it.

2 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Austin on

I know I wasn't walking until closer to 16mths. My sister walked at 9 or 10mths. Not a problem whatsoever. :) Believe me, I was standing and climbing before I was even taking steps out on my own.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

Please don't push her to walk. Her BRAIN has to be ready, not just her body. My older son "cruised" until he was 14 months old. Believe me, unless she has issues that you would already have seen manifest themselves, she will walk.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.1.

answers from Minneapolis on

My baby didn't start til just after 14 months, doc wasn't worried about her. My 6 yr old didn't start til he was almost 2!!! He had to see some specialist to see if he needed leg braces, but he said to give it another 3 months but he ended up walking shortly after that dr visit. Don't worry :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Chicago on

My 20 month old started crawling at 14 and 1/2 months, then started walking completely on her just a few weeks ago, between 19 and 20 months. Now she won't stay still - always walking.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Will she walk while holding your hand or your finger?

If she will try having her hold onto a toy you are also holding and when she is not looking, let go of the toy.

This is how many of our friends have discovered their children can walk on their own, but their children were just uncertain of their own abilities..

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter started walking at 13 months. But my cousin has a son who turned a year old in June and just started walking right around Labor Day weekend. Now he is walking like crazy and into everything! I think each child is different and does things at his or her own pace. Since you said your daughter has been slow hitting some other milestones but eventually did, I wouldn't worry about it. And since she is standing & taking steps holding onto things, it sounds like she is heading toward walking on her own. I'm guessing 14 months would not be a red flag but, if you want peace of mind for yourself, call your pediatrician and he/she will tell you what is considered the normal age range for starting to walk. But most importantly, enjoy this time with your daughter; I'm sure she is lots of fun!

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Phoenix on

NO DONT WORRY! She will walk when shes ready...and 6 months for her sitting on her own is not unusual...Dont be worried, she might just be nervous or lazy either way she will do it when she is ready :)

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter didnt walk until she was 14 months. The kid could talk sentences before she could walk. I think she was about 8 months when she started crawling. The doctor said if she wasnt walking by 16-18 months they would research it. Shes 5 now, and she scored above average on her kindergarten placement test. Ha, Im bragging. But, my son doesnt talk nearly as much as my daughter did, but he walked sooner, he just turned two, and I think is more coordinated than my 5 year old. Hes more physical, where shes move vocal. Every kid is different. I wouldnt worry!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from New York on

I am not trying to sound rude, but I just don't understand why people who post questions like this don't just go medical site and see what the milestone age is. 9 months to walk is extremely rare. The normal range of walking is up to 16 months. Why is 14 months considered "late"? Also, sitting up by oneself usually occurs around 6 months. That is not "slow", that is completely normal. I really wish people would educate themselves about milestones and not base their child's development on their previous child regardless if that child was "advanced" or "delayed".

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter took her first steps at 14 months. She was very excited and walked between me and my mom well past her bedtime. After that, she only walked with assitance (holding onto my pants or walking behind a stroller) for an entire month. Then she was off and running. She's very smart and very coordinated, but just cautious. I think she wanted to make sure she "had it down" before she went off on her on. I wouldn't worry. All kids are different. :)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions