https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:19:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925620 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 08:02:55 +0000 Lahela017 2925620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay!! So special! :grin: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925619 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 07:29:18 +0000 bhbee 2925619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsJBeeG: so sweet! :heart: Happy birthday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925618 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 07:26:59 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2925618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m so excited! My little girl really started independently walking yesterday. She walked 8 steps across our living room and then did a second time which we caught on video. Lots of walking with help and along furniture between my last post and yesterday. It just seems to be clicking for her. </p> <p>I can’t lie - I love it and am so proud of her. And it came the day before my birthday so I consider it the best birthday gift. :heart: Proud momma moment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925390 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:57:05 +0000 Chuckles 2925390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was like this! She didn't start really walking independently until 19 months. And for probably 2-3 months before that she loved walking if she could hold both our hands, but there was absolutely nothing we could do to get her to try to walk independently. She would just drop down and crawl or get upset. And during that time she would transfer between standing at the couch and playing at the coffee table, so we tried moving them farther and farther apart to get her to walk just a step or two. And every time she did just the same thing your kiddo does - look to see if she had to walk and then just drop down and crawl. I think the only thing that helped, besides time, was that she loved cruising around a climbing structure in our yard. At least she got a lot of practice "walking" without holding to us. As long as you don't have any concerns about muscle tone, I'd say just give her time and lots of places to cruise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925389 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:45:49 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2925389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: your response makes me feel better. I read some blogs where moms had a similar experience - a few steps and then a month or two later the kiddo just started walking everywhere. I suspect my daughter may do it. But I’m thinking I can help encourage - we have a soft large stool she loves to stand at - maybe if I move it a little farther with her - she’ll take a few steps on her own regularly. She has a push thing - fisher price that she can push all down stairs and does. I feel like it isn’t lack of opportunity holding her back. But who knows??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925388 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:43:11 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2925388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: we do. She likes to walk and has gotten to the point that she will regularly hold just by one hand. I’m sure we could do more of it - I feel like I could say that about everything when raising a little one though. 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925387 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 11:58:10 +0000 bhbee 2925387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had this kid! She took a few steps across the room at 17m and then didn’t walk again for a month until she just decided to do it one day at 18m. And then she walked like she’d been doing it for months vs the usual drunken sailor new walker. She’s almost 10 and still cautious and likes to observe :happy: </p> <p>So nothing really worked for her, but my others really liked pushing a cart (needs to be heavy enough not to tip obviously) and maximizing cruising with a couple steps - we had one of those wooden play cubes and it helped create short distances she could step from it to other things (and was easy to move around to make it further or whatever). But if nothing works that’s ok too! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925385 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 07:24:47 +0000 Lahela017 2925385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you hold her hands while she walks much? I'd try doing that a lot, it might help her gain the confidence to do it on her own. Also praise when she does do a few steps on her own. That will get her excited about it too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-encourage-independent-walking#post-2925384 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 06:40:01 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2925384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone! I hope you are all well. Life’s been crazy here - moving cross country (I could share a few funny stories of spots along the way with a 16 month old in my car with just mom). But we are starting to feel settled. </p> <p>My question is my little girl is 17 months old. She’s taken a few steps by herself over the last month but not many and not often. Is there anything I should be doing to encourage her to walk more? Just looking for advice on how to encourage her to walk more. Or maybe it’s just it will happen when it happens? </p> <p>For background my girl was born 4 weeks early. She was a late crawler - really started crawling around 12-13 months. Now she crawls everywhere. She cruises along furniture all the time without losing her balance. She stands really without support and for long stretches when playing or other activities.. I don’t believe it’s an impairment issue - I suspect it’s confidence and just not being ready to go for it. I don’t have any worries about her brain or body - she’s doing well developing on all fronts (I say that to mean I’m not looking for advice to take her to her pediatrician and discuss physical therapy - I don’t think it’s a development issue at all). And I also watch her and she clearly assesses the distance between furniture and toys and the like and if she assesses it’s too far, she lowers herself down and crawls to it rather than stepping to ut. I’ve moved furniture to encourage her to take steps but I believe if she gauges it’s a bit to far away - she crawls. It’s like she’s too smart for her own good on this front. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856509 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 20:46:57 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2856509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CatchAFallingStar: my daughter was like your second. But then didn’t actuall walk until after 13 months. She was so good at getting around we thought she’d walk early, but she didn’t. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856489 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:54:31 +0000 starlitsky 2856489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my DS sounds like your DD2! he was crawling at 6.5 months, pulling up to stand at 7, cruising and using the walker from 8-9 and took his first steps at 10 months. he was pretty much running by age 1 lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856483 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:43:55 +0000 MamaBear87 2856483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it vastly varies from kid to kid. Our first pulled up super early, like 8ish months and would cruise around 9 but didn't walk until like 13 almost 14 months </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856479 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:22:18 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2856479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS walked at 17.5 months and was standing a long while before that...I know he was standing at 11/12 months for sure and cruised a lot shortly after. He was stuck there for a while! Then one day he just walked to me when I picked him up at daycare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856475 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:12:14 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2856475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-journey-from-cruising-to-walking#post-2856364 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:04:34 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2856364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long in between the two? </p> <p>My first DD didn’t crawl or pull to stand until 10 months. She walked at 13 months. </p> <p>DD2 started crawling at 6.5 months, pulled to stand at 7 and is now 8.5 months and she is pulling up, cruising the couch and crawling like a maniac. Just curious how long between cruising and walking for your babies. I’m sure I can look back to see what Q did, but just wondering what the average is. </p> <p> :heart:</p> <p>ETA: She’s also already saying a few words. Q didn’t say anything until closer to 18 months. R already says “hi Dada” and “bye bye” while waving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838631 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 14:33:58 +0000 Happygal 2838631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With hip clicking (like others, I'd worry about hip dysplasia) and an abnormal gait, I'd ask for a prescription for PT. </p> <p>Cranialsacral therapy was recommended by others for our daughter. When I asked our pediatrician about it, he said it wouldn't hurt her, but he didn't think it would really help her. When I did a little reading on my own, I was happy to pass it and go straight to PT. I'm definitely pro early-intervention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838562 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:25:07 +0000 LBee 2838562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: Agreed! Usually clicking is associated with hip dysplasia and results in a referral for a hip ultrasound. What you are describing in her walking sort of sounds like a "swayback," which can also be associated with hip dysplasia. I don't see any issue with the other therapies, but from my experience with hip related issues I'd be requesting an ultrasound. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838548 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:13:41 +0000 youboots 2838548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d recommend an X-ray to be sure her hips are intact- but that’s just me as a Shriners parent. Maybe you could hold off for a few months and see how it goes when she’s walking often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838543 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:09:04 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2838543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm. I would agree with PP about some diagnostics like ultrasound to make sure the hip structure is normal. I evaluate gait for a living, though I don’t see kids younger than 3-5 years old as we can’t get a good picture of gait issues until then. If she’s not even walking, I think it could be difficult to evaluate without imaging and it could be totally normal. There is so much range and variation with kids under age 10 as they grow and develop so rapidly. </p> <p>Personally, we did cranio sacral for DS for breastfeeding issues when he was younger, not anything related to gait. We also saw Pediatric OT and PT for speech and core when he was much older. Both were great experiences if you need to go that route. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838524 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:55:04 +0000 BUNBUN 2838524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a little confused. Was the clicking during a hip check or while she was walking? I would consider having her checked by an orthopedic specialist for hip dysplasia asap. It's an ultrasound, usually. I had to wear a brace as a baby, but my mom's wasn't caught until way later and wasn't as easy to correct and caused her a lifetime of problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abnormal-gait#post-2838345 Tue, 07 Aug 2018 11:45:53 +0000 littlejoy 2838345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO had her 1 year well-baby visit yesterday, and her doc noticed clicking in her hips. We've noticed an odd big step with 1 leg and dragging her other when she's practicing walking (she doesn't actually walk yet). </p> <p>We mentioned that after the clicking was found, and the doc is concerned that she has an abnormal gait - she's recommended cranial sacral body work to start, with a provider who also has experience in PT/OT. </p> <p>Anyone else go through something like this? I'd love to hear your experience. At first I thought I wanted to skip the body work and go straight to PT, but after talking with a physical therapist yesterday, she said she'd want to go the body work route first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2818465 Wed, 25 Apr 2018 19:33:48 +0000 babycanuck 2818465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son didn't crawl until almost 1 year, he didn't walk until 18.5 months.</p> <p>At no point was my doctor worried enough to recommend intervention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2818244 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:24:29 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2818244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son walked at 18.5 months. He was such a good crawler that he just didn’t seem that interested. He’s been on the later end with all gross motor (including stuff after walking like running/jumping), but he’s normal :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817989 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:53:03 +0000 Mama Bird 2817989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: awww, so cute!</p> <p>DD bum-scooted until she was 16 months, unless someone held her by both hands. Then she'd walk pretty well. She did start PT at 14 months or so, but I don't think she had any problem other than being stubborn. And having a big brother who she knew would bowl her over if she stood up. Funny, but she didn't start trying to walk on her own until she took a big tumble off a bed - maybe it made her less scared of small trips and falls somehow... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817958 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 12:31:53 +0000 MrsSCB 2817958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: Yeah, there is such a range of normal! My friend's son, who is a month and a half older than mine, walked at nine months. That would have made me anxious about being behind if I didn't know from my mom that my sister and I both walked at 15ish months. And we walk totally normally now ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817953 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 12:23:06 +0000 Happygal 2817953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: our late walker loves that pose, too! </p> <p>My DD is 19 months and we all know she can walk, but she chooses to walk on her knees instead. She's really quite good and can move fast. Her pediatrician said he doesn't see something preventing her from walking, but I'm still setting a date for an evaluation with a PT. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817912 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:03:47 +0000 IRunForFun 2817912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a slight update, when we ask her to stand up, she's now started doing this, which she's never done before. (This is within the past 2 days.) Sometimes she'll put one arm up in the air at the same time. So maybe she's trying? :grin: </p> [attach=3557/18/p7nbac.450x600.IMG_3625.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817911 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:01:51 +0000 IRunForFun 2817911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Calibee: Haha, it's kind of a funny image! She just nonchalantly walks in one day...</p> <p>@Dahlia: Interesting! DD really doesn't like to walk holding our hands, especially for more than a few steps. I wish she did!</p> <p>@Woolly Mammoth: Thanks, I was wondering if that was the case!</p> <p>@MrsSCB: I thought 18 months too! Also that woman must have been smoking something. :silly: We were out this weekend and a woman asked us how old DD was, followed by "Is she walking yet?" I kind of braced myself, and my DH said, "She's working on it!" But the woman went on to say she has 4 kids and the earliest walker was 14 months and she had one who didn't walk until 20 months, and they were all fine. So that was refreshing!</p> <p>@maddyz: Thanks! I think I just have these visions that they're just going to come in and judge me or point out all the things I'm doing wrong that are contributing to her not walking. Which is ridiculous, I know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817894 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:28:38 +0000 maddyz 2817894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not for walking but my LO2 is a really late talker and I just had an EI evaluation. I am waiting to hear if he qualifies. I don't think he will meet the mark of 30% delayed BUT I just wanted to say that the evaluation processes was SO helpful to see, reassuring that yes, he is a bit behind and all the things that i noticed are true, but also that it's not much of a worry.</p> <p>They all really do take their own time, but it's also great to have someone check up on them if you are worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-later-walker#post-2817831 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 06:08:16 +0000 MrsSCB 2817831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, side note, this random older lady at a restaurant asked if F was walking when he was barely nine months at the time. I said no, and she said her grandchild was walking at six months... OK. 🙄😂 </p>