@galileesilk My daughter did not start walking until 21 months so I can understand the stress you are feeling, technically yours isn’t “behind” but it is very stressful to see other baby’s reach milestones yours doesn’t seem to be getting closer to. I tried to not let it get to me but I stressed and cried a lot about it and wondered what I was doing wrong. Mine started wearing glasses around 13 months so I always wonder if that contributed to the delay, so maybe if you haven’t get his eyes checked? Sometimes it just happens though.
What I believe really helped, and what wish I did sooner was a good PT. I’m not sure if it was a mixture of her being ready to walk at the point we got her with this new PT and them being really great at their job or just the PT, but if your very concerned you should start there. She also mentioned that if my daughter wasn’t already in glasses she’d start by having us get her eyes checked, but again mine was over what is considered “normal” to not be walking yet. Mine was in EI but I wasn’t really crazy with the PT assigned so I went private and she was walking independently in about a month, so basically from not standing independently, or even letting us hold her hands to take steps really to walking. Sometimes something just clicks.
In the meantime if he can stand up holding on to something you can try to keep toys up on a couch or low table for motivation to stand and strengthen his legs. Or play a game where you take a favorite toy (or buy some new dollar store toys to keep interest) and put it on the couch so he has to stand to get it. Also bubbles were a huge hit with motivating mine to stand and try to pop them or just watch them.
At the end of the day now my daughter is perfectly fine and thriving despite being delayed in walking you would never know it at this point. I know it’s easier said than done (trust me there were a lot of tears and stress from me too) but some baby’s just take longer than others! I definitely recommend a PT if you are concerned, even just the free evaluation that came from early intervention put my mind at ease a bit that there was nothing too concerning/I wasn’t missing anything besides some kids just doing something later than others. I hope this helps!! You aren’t alone here!