in December 2023 Babies 🇺🇸

How can I get my baby walking again??

My daughter, who is almost 16 months, started walking around 15 months (yay!). About two weeks ago she had some flu-like symptoms (fever, runny nose, cough, very sleepy) and since then she’s wanted absolutely nothing to do with walking. Took her to the doctor who said that she may have had swollen joints in response to her cold and that she might have associated walking with pain. Her advice was to “leave a sitting duck lie” and keep an eye on it. The biggest problem is that my daughter wants to walk so bad but will only do so when holding onto someone’s finger, as soon as you pry your hand away, she crouches back down and refuses to walk. I know it isn’t her fault but I’m starting to get super frustrated. Has anyone else gone through something like this? Did it get better on its own? Tips and tricks are very much appreciated.

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She will do it again! Try to distract her keep her hands busy, let her have a target to go to, if she goes to sit on the floor pick her bag up gently to standing

@Jelena I’ve tried that as well! Her father and I try to get her to walk to us and we pick her up when she sits down but then she gets super mad and just kicks when you try to stand her up. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong 😭

You’re not doing anything wrong, there’s also no harm in leaving her be, she will do it again, maybe the illness got her a little bad this time so give her more time, she will do. You’re doing great x

Maybe try getting around other kids, try to bring her to a park or have a play date regularly. Being around other walkers may help with motivation.

My son is like this! He had fallen and wouldn’t walk. Doctor said if he wasn’t walking by Monday to take him back but he’s putting pressure on his leg so he seems ok! Just encourage the use of a walker and praise them every little step or when they get close to doing it.

Does she seem in pain if she tries to walk?

My daughter spent a week in the hospital at 18 months with RSV a week of laying down or being held 24 hrs a day give her some time she will start back and take off like she never stopped

Maybe start with a walking toy again… or putting a soft ball or toy in each hand and see if that helps.

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