Forums » Toddlers - Learning Tools

• Lexie Lane

  

  • 89 posts
   

  April 21, 2012 4:09:27 PM PDT

  I know I have to be patient and everyone tells me that babies will take leaps and bounds on their own. I'm starting to get really paranoid now because babies much younger than mine are starting to walk. My Oli is 16 months now and is so afraid to let go of me. When I try to get him to stand on his own, he will immediately try to get on the floor and crawl. If I try to stand him back up, he will fight to get back on the floor. Just trying to get him to stand is a challenge. How do I get him to take steps on his own? Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

• Deleted Member

  
   

  April 21, 2012 4:55:54 PM PDT

  Lexie make sure you are giving him lots of opportunities to walk on his own. I know with my first son I always made sure he had everything he needed. One way the PT's worked with my kids would be to put toys or things they wanted out of reach, just a little, to encourage them to walk. Find something they love to do or want and put it just out of their reach, so they have to walk to it. Whatever is a good motivator, food, a favorite toy. or beloved task. One friend encouraged her kid to walk with his love of putting pennies in a bank. He had to walk to the bank and then he would put the penny in. Also I found trips to the park were great because he would see other kids walking and it would encourage him. We ended up using a PT for both our boys but I know plenty of kids that walked without the use of therapists.
  
• Deleted Member

  
   

  April 21, 2012 5:02:32 PM PDT

  Lexie you have to find ways to "force" the issue. This means you have to deal with him being frustrated and crying for a moment. Don't try it when you know he is cranky, but when he is in a good mood I would take the train and put it someplace where he has to walk to it. Maybe walk with him a bit, but let go. Once they start to see they can it gets easier. I would also put him on your bed, standing, and jump with him. They usually love this and it get's them use to it as well. Has the doctor said anything about his ability to bear weight on his legs. Is he/she comfortable with the fact that he is not walking yet. You can always go to a Orthopedist to rule out anything, they can also suggest PT's if necessary. Lexie you know I tend to move fast, but it is in my moving fast that I have caught and corrected a lot of problems earlier than if I took the "don't worry mommy all will be well" advice. You can always call me if you want to discuss more! xo
• Anne Mercado

  

  • 9 posts
   

  April 24, 2012 12:43:16 AM PDT

  He stands up holding your hand right? Are you able to encourage him to take a few steps with your assistance?
  
  Little Oli may gain confidence if he's able to take a few steps with Mommy over and over again and then realize, "Hey, it's not so scary afterall."
  
  Now if he doesn't, I'll have a talk with him next time. :D Okay, kidding aside:
  
  1) You may walk with him towards toys strategically placed around the house (as Kathy said)
  
  2) For your peace of mind, you may go to a pediatric ortho. We don't want you to worry. (Again, as Kathy said) :D
  
  Keep us updated.
• Lexie Lane

  

  • 89 posts
   

  April 27, 2012 9:09:11 PM PDT

  @Kathy ~ Thank you. The jumping on the bed thing really works! He loves it so much that he does it without holding onto anything. So I think it's better. Yes, the doctor says he's fine. He's just a late bloomer.
  
  @Anne - Thank you, I think you're both right. I will have to find ways to bribe him with walking =)
• Deleted Member

  
   

  April 27, 2012 10:23:15 PM PDT

  Lexie I'm so glad he like the jumping on the bed, they usually love it! Our first PT really helped me in that he said to let kids take chances and have fun, of course this got a bit out of hand with our youngest and his tendency to jump off of anything!!! Lol!
  
  Lexie this is in no way to freak you out, but I have found that pediatricians are not the best in catching developmental issues. With both Tom and even Lizzy it was not the doctors who were concerned it was me. I also really worry with the late bloomer thing, yes, there are children who are later than others, but sometimes there is a reason, often small but just tuck that away. You can always make an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist, the good ones can be booked months in advance anyway. Again, realize that I tend to move quickly but I have always felt that I would rather look like an idiot or nervous mom then miss something. Often times picking up a problem early can really mean the difference between a small problem being fixed, and a small problem turning into something harder to fix. Again, realize that I am very proactive, but for me it has meant a huge difference in how my kids have done. Trust your gut. Love you!
• Lexie Lane

  

  • 89 posts
   

  June 20, 2012 9:19:53 AM PDT

  He's finally walking! Just wanted to share with you mamas cause I feel soooo happy! Like he just graduated from crawling or something! Haahaaa! On Father's Day, he just stood up and walked all by himself! It was so cute! I squealed! haaahaaa!!! I guess it was just my impatience.
• Deleted Member

  
   

  June 20, 2012 6:06:43 PM PDT

  Yea!!! That's great Lexie!! So happy, what a great gift to give his daddy!