13 month old doesn't walk or talk?

Question

He cruises around our furniture and pushes his cart, but will not let me walk with him to try to get him used to walking. He has no interest in trying to walk by himself. He also has his own language and constantly points at things and says "DAT". I speak slowly to him all day and constantly say what things are but he never tries to repeat me. Every day we watch baby educational videos but nothing.. Should I be doing else? I feel like he's so behind. This is my first child - I feel like I'm not helping him at all.

Answer 1

Dont worry all kids are different he will do it in his own time my daughter did not walk til she was 15 months some take longer than others you can keep trying to incourage him but he will do it when he is ready.

Answer 2

The fact that he makes up his own language suggests that he is quite intelligent. As long as he is making sounds he is right on. Language comes at different times. He may not need to use words because his needs are met all the time. Also boys tend to pick up language slower than girls. I wouldn't worry about that.

About walking - since he is cruising and using a push toy, I wouldn't be concerned about this either. Clearly, he has the ability to use his legs and muscles. His back and leg muscles might not be strong enough to hold himself up without hanging on to something just yet - especially if he was  preemie or very small at birth.  if he seems to crawl everywhere he wants to go and be perfectly happy with that then  there is no real worry here. Some babies are just lazy. My son is that way also. You can encourage him to walk by trying to play games with him while he is standing or by helping him with his push toys. However, nothing is going to help him walk if he just doesn't want to. If all of his needs are met, and he is getting around by another means (crawling) it may take him a while to become interested in walking.

My only suggestion is be careful with the education videos. I allow my son to watch a little sesame street each week (he is 1 year old), but the American Pediatrics Association doesn't recommend TV until after age 2 because of its links to ADD and ADHD. Try using flash cards, stories, and listening to the radio or cds of children's songs. Another good thing too is to try to meet people with children close in age to your son. You'd be surprised what babies suddenly learn to do when they see their peers doing it.  

Answer 3

he will walk and talk when he is ready. my son was 18 months before he started walking.

Answer 4

My sone didn't start walking until he was about 28 months. He didn't say anything but mama until he was over 2 as well. Turns out he had some developmental delays. I got him in preschool when he was 3 and everything completely turned around. He is now 4 and talks up a storm. Just make sure he has plenty of interaction with other children his age, that's what did the trick for my boy. It was only me, my daughter, and him for 2 years. I think thats what the problem was, he didn't get around others his age.  

Answer 5

He's doing fine. Different children develop at different rates. If you are really worried make an appointment with your health visitor who will see lots and lots of children will know the range of behaviours which count as 'normal'.

Try not to compare with other children, and completely ignore people who don't have children the same age - it's all too easy to misremember when children did something and be out by a couple of months - which sounds like nothing, but there can be a big difference between 13 months and 15 months.

Have fun with your son, enjoy time with him and let him develop at his own rate.

Answer 6

I agree with the person who said to scrap the videos.  Also, I think you need to get your child near other kids around the age that talk a lot.  My 12 year old, talked a lot when he was that age, but my 10 year old did not.

I am not very helpful about walking because both children had chronic ear infections, and it affected their balance.  

Answer 7

Every baby develops at different speeds, but if you force it it can cause major delays because they get stressed out. My pediatrician told me to think about the baby physically developing from the top down... first they can hold their head up, then sit up, then stand up, then crawl, and then walk. So your baby is developing, just not as quickly as you'd like. As for talking, the same thing applies. My son that is 2 now, could say like 30 words by 1, I mean he had a huge vocabulary! But my 11 month old says da-da and uh-oh, and on occasion ma-ma. So I wouldn't stress over it, because in the long run, that can make it worse. Next time, at 15 months, when you go to the pediatrician for a well check, get their opinion. But I would say that your baby is doing fine.  

Answer 8

He's not behind.  He's well within the normal range for both walking and talking.

While we tend to think that babies walk/talk on their first birthdays -- many do not.  If he's cruising, he'll probably be walking soon.  And if he's babbling, saying "mama" and understands some of what you say, I wouldn't worry about his talking either.  He'll get there.

Answer 9

Every child develops at his/her own speed.  Our son was a fast developer, our daughter took a little longer but then "caught up" to the "standard"  As long as the doctor says he doesn't have a hearing or sight problem, let him gain in confidence before he walks.  Don't push him.  One day he will just decide for himself to take the change.  My son cruised up to a laundry basket, pulled himself up and took a few faltering steps.  Ease up on the videos.  Babies have been doing this for thousands of years without videos.  Just enjoy your baby and good luck.

Answer 10

It might be a case of autism, my brother didn't speak on his own until he was five years old; he would repeat everything, but didn't start forming sentences until then.  

Answer 11

Children develop in different stages. Cut down on the videos, instead take him outside and let him explore for himself. Take him to the park. Let him get used to seeing other children play. Swings, slides, and ducks are real things and very stimulating to a child's mind.

If you are really concerned about your child's development contact your pediatrician for a referral to a professional.  

Answer 12

Whats normal for some children isn't normal for others.  Children do things at their own pace.  If you are concerned than at your next pediatrician visit, voice your concern.  His doctor will be able to dispel any fears you may have.  My first child didn't talk till he was almost four.  He said a few small things but mostly used hand motions and noises to get his point across.  At four he started talking in complete sentences and hasn't stopped since.  (he is 39) Relax and enjoy him.  As for walking, becareful what you wish for. lololol  He will walk on his own terms when he is ready.

Answer 13

Kids do things in their own time...plus he's a boy and girl's tend to be ahead of the game (sometimes not always, of course).

My son is the same age and doing the same thing and he will have a FIT if u try to walk him.

Answer 14

a lot of kids don't walk until they are older. the normal age range is 10-18 months. they usually are only taking a few steps by 12 months. of course others are running at 11 months!

as for the talking, he knows 1 word! even though he isn't saying it 100% correct he obviously learned it. does he say mama or dada?

If you are concerned make a Dr's appt and they can tell you for sure.

Most areas also have programs to see if a child is on the right track.

Contact your county health dept and ask them.

Answer 15

I wouldn’t worry about it too much, ALL babies learn at different speeds and in different ways. As long as he is responsive to you, as in he can hear you, and he can stand, there is no obvious physical problem, I would say he is just fine and any time now he will surprise you and won’t stop talking or running around! But if you are that concerned just speak with his pediatrician.  

Answer 16

Hun, don't stress. I have a girl and a boy. They both started walking at 15 months and my son didn't talk until over 2 years.  

Answer 17

Stop worrying. Why is it so important for everyone to put time frames on these kids. Your child isn't impaired, he just maybe taking his time. HOnestly maybe he doesnt have anything to say. I have three children and if I based what they were "supposed" to do off of everyone else..Id be one worried momma alot! Talk to your doctor if your worried. But I think he will say the same! Good luck and relax. If someone says something about it, just tell them he is taking his time to get it right!

Answer 18

Well, scrap the videos, for a start. Babies do not learn to talk from videos, they only learn to talk from people. That time you are watching together is time when you could be talking with him.

13 months isn't behind for either, though. Neither of my kids could walk or talk at 13 months. My son could read silently before he went to school at 4 1/2.

Is there a local toddler group you could go to with him? "Peer pressure" sounds awful but it works - if your son sees other kids walking, he'll want to.

Answer 19

He's only 13 months!

"Normal" range for walking is 7-18 months. And talking is 10-24 months.

As you can see they're so broad! Kids develop at their own pace, walking, talking, moving out ;)

Don't worry!

Answer 20

I dont see what the rush is for him to develop? Keep reading him books and talking to him and he'll be fine, as for walking, I have yet to see an adult that hasnt got the hang of walking. Give it time.

Answer 21

he may need more then one person to interact with, my parents told me it took around 15 months to want to walk and im pretty athletic now but yea make sure he has things to play with and try to get him out more  

Answer 22

My nephew walked at about 14 months and didn't speak very well until he was about 2.5. Now he just turned 4 and he doesn't ever shut up. He will talk your leg off about anything and everything. He even knows about the presidential elections! Your son is not behind and is not a "slow learner" he's just doing things at his own pace =)