What Can I do?

[WorriedMommy08]

Hi. I have an 18 month old son who is still not walking. He stood up without holding anything twice a few months ago but has stopped altogether. he will not try anything. He is also not talking. he was saying the normal things like "mama,papa,nana,dada" but is now only saying mama and making a lot of sound effects.I have tired all that i can think of to help him and nothing is working. He is also refusing to eat. He will hide everything i give him in his cheek and leave it there for hours unless i take it out myself. I've tried all kinds of food and nothing is working either. Please help!

[ilovemykidz]

my son didnt walk til he was almost 19 months..  and he didnt crawl until after he started walking... Dr's dont actually worry about it til u exceed 18 months.. fortunally for us our son started to walk a week before we were to go see the specialist!!

we were told with our son that since he was the only child and we got him pretty much everything that he wanted he wasnt going to do things on his own until we made him! instead of trying to figure out what they want by seeing what they are pointing at we had to wait til he said what he wanted and let him try to get it before we would help him.. its kinda painful but it worked for us.

as for the eating thing i have no idea!

All children are different some learn faster than others!! Good luck, hope all turns out ok!

p.s. our son is now four years old and is very intelligent!

[specialmom]

Chewing is a tough thing for some kids, it takes a lot of motor coordination.  Speech pathologists work with wee little ones on this and occupational therapists do too. Sometimes cutting back on milk will help increase eating, but I don't know what is going on with your child, so I don't know if I would try that right now or not.  I think you are doing the right thing to try to move this process along faster.  goodluck

[benjimom]

Another reason we don't want socialized medicine. what a shame and now you are probably worried sick, I know I would be.  If it gets really bad, go to an ER or urgent care, do what you have to do.  Keep us posted okay!

[WorriedMommy08]

he is eating sometimes but not all the time.. he does drink very well though. unfortunately i have to wait until Monday to call in and try and get an appointment soon.I live in Canada as well and the waiting list are terrible! I wont give up though! I will most definitely continue to push until i get my son seen.

[specialmom]

I would also try to get voice to voice with your pediatrician-----  I would try to get referred out right away to a developmental specialist.  You live in Canada----  there may be a wait period for this-----  so get on the list now.  I would be a squeaky wheel here to get seen.  You could also call a children't hospital----  they have occupational therapists, physical therapists, and those that specialize in child development.  But I would see if you can begin the process as it may take some time after this Feb drs. appt.  Do they not do well check visits in Canada.  And heck, I'd take the baby to a clinic if that was my only option at this point--- at least you can find out what the next step is. . . good luck

[benjimom]

this is scary and it sounds like you have done all you can .  I think for something liek this, they need to get you in sooner than the end of February.  I know for my son, I am always able to get him in fairly quickly.  I would call the nurse and talk to her and tell her about him not eating and express your concern and see if they can move you back up again.  If he is not eating or drinking, he could get dehydrated.  Please let us know what you find out and good luck.  Has he been sick lately?

[WorriedMommy08]

Thank you all for your comments! I did make an appointment with his pediatrician but unfortunately was not able to get one until the end of February and I do not think i could take him into a walk in clinic for something like this :(  

[Victoria01]

I agree with specialmom. Anytime there is a regression like this it is best to seek professional help. It may be nothing, or it may be something, but it's best to know early so you can get him some intervention.

[specialmom]

I assume that you've called the pediatrician about all of this.  I think that your son could use an evaluation as he is far off the developmental scale.  I am sorry about that---  that is very difficult.  Please call your doctor to have him seen by a developmental specialist.  Much can be done through early intervention.  Stopping development is also a concern.  Has he been sick?  Follow up for some professional opinions here.  Good luck.