baby doesn't walk @ 18 months.

Is it really bad that my friend's son can't walk at 18 months? She says he will take a couple of steps when she holds his hands...and JUST started pulling up. But will not stand alone or take steps alone. Her pedi told her she'd like to send him to a specialist if he wasn't walking by this past Christmas. She doesn't want to, and doesn't really think it's necessary.
I was really worried at first...but now since he's taking a couple of steps holding her hands and pulling up I think I agree with her that she could give him another month or so.

WDYT?

I've never been in that situation but my son was just evaluated for something else. The lady that did the evaluating was explaining various reasons that kids qualify for the program and one of them was not walking at 18mths, so yeah, I'd say its something she should be concerned about. Therapy and evaluations don't hurt kids, they can only benefit from them.

Um.. No. That's not normal.

get him seen just in case!

Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:" I've never been in that situation but my son was just evaluated for something else. The lady that did ... [snip!] ... I'd say its something she should be concerned about. Therapy and evaluations don't hurt kids, they can only benefit from them."

This

It isn't going to hurt him to see someone about it.

Hm, he needs to see a doctor

She could hold out. I don't see the harm in waiting a couple extra weeks if she is already seeing improvement. That does seem super old to still not be walking...but really, it happens. There was a child my mom knew who didnt walk until 5 YEARS OLD because he was lazy and everyone would carry him around!! Lol its their fault though! Once they stopped, he walked in like a week.

Not that its your friends fault by any means.

Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:" I've never been in that situation but my son was just evaluated for something else. The lady that did ... [snip!] ... I'd say its something she should be concerned about. Therapy and evaluations don't hurt kids, they can only benefit from them."

Agreed.

Quoting ~~My Pet Wussy~~:" I've never been in that situation but my son was just evaluated for something else. The lady that did ... [snip!] ... I'd say its something she should be concerned about. Therapy and evaluations don't hurt kids, they can only benefit from them."

yeah...i told her it wouldn't hurt. even if he would have went on to walk in a little while i'm sure a specialist could speed it up.

I also forgot to mention she has broken both of her arms twice and it is KILLING her to be holding him all the time. I feel bad for her. I know she's probably scared to hear something's wrong. But at the same time, putting off therapy could be really bad.
On the other hand, my BIL didn't walk until he was almost 2 without therapy. He's fine today. MIL says it was because he was too fat.

Quoting eKnuckles:" She could hold out. I don't see the harm in waiting a couple extra weeks if she is already seeing improvement. ... [snip!] ... Lol its their fault though! Once they stopped, he walked in like a week. Not that its your friends fault by any means."

yeah. i know what you mean. a few weeks probably won't make any difference. maybe he's just scared to do it on his own.
I just don't want to seem pushy, when it's her kid. I probably won't bring it up again for another month.

My friends little girl didn't start walking by herself until she was 20 months.

Quoting Faith1LovesMLP:" It isn't going to hurt him to see someone about it. "

this it is better to be safe than sorry. My hip was out of place when I was 2.5. Mom didn't know it. My dad was a contractor and was working for a chiropractor and mom brought me along when she took dad his lunch. The chiropractor noticed I had a slight limp and asked mom how well I walked/ran. After an exam he found out that my hip was out of place and popped it back in. No one ever knew it. My hip still causes me pain.  

A lot of people are scared to be referred to early intervention types programs but they aren't scary, or painful, or even expensive. Most early intervention type services that kids are referred to are free and can be really great for kids that might just need a bit of help with something.

DD has seen early intervention in MA and MD and both have been wonderful resources. DD has a lot she needs to be seen for but they all come to our house, OT, PT and a developmental teacher. They even sometimes have programs like Mommy groups, Mommy/baby yoga, groups at the library, etc.

It's also better to be safe than sorry and a minor problem can become a big one if not addressed as early as possible.

Quoting {tamz}:" A lot of people are scared to be referred to early intervention types programs but they aren't scary, ... [snip!] ... etc. It's also better to be safe than sorry and a minor problem can become a big one if not addressed as early as possible. "

I agree. I guess I need to find a way to say that to her without seeming pushy.