Everything changes when walking starts! From creeping and crawling to cruising and shuffling along (sometimes even backwards), these are the moments parents live for.
Once your baby pulls herself up to stand, it’s only a matter of time before she’s taking a little step forward to see what else is out there in the big, wide world.
Your baby's first steps might happen within a few days or a few months of when she first learns how to stand up. But once she does, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump (in other words, practice, practice, and more practice!) to toddling and walking.[1]
Ready to chase your cutie around? Here's more about when babies and toddlers usually start walking, signs your child is getting close to hitting that milestone, and how to encourage her every step of the way.
When do babies start walking?
Some children start to walk before they are 1, but many others take those initial steps after their first birthdays, usually around month 14, on average. Babies often take a few early steps once they’ve graduated from pulling up to cruising (or walking by holding on to the couch, coffee table, or ottoman) around month 9 or 10.
When early cruisers make their first attempts at letting go of that piece of furniture they’ve used to stay upright, it might mean that you’ll witness some of those first toddling steps. Most children don't take independent steps until well after their first birthdays[2] (with many walking well by 12 to 15 months), but if your child is not walking by 18 months, check in with your provider.
Some of it may be in her wiring: Your little one may follow in her parents’ (early or late) footsteps. Build and temperament play a part too. A high-energy baby will probably strut her stuff sooner than a mellow, happy-to-sit baby. And some kids are more cautious and only want to take a step when they’re positive they won’t tumble; others are daredevils and will dive right in — literally.
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Your toddler will eventually learn to walk — but on her timetable, not yours. Sure, there are ways you can lend her a helping hand (more on that below), but rather than focus on the finish line, embrace the baby steps along the way. This way, her victory lap will seem that much sweeter.
Stages of learning how to walk
Learning to walk is a process, of course, and every baby is different in how she approaches it.
Here’s a look at the stages your baby may go through on the way to actual walking (remember it’s completely normal to skip some or all of these phases):
- Crawling: Watch for this classic hands-and-knees movement to take place between 7 and 10 months. Some babies start crawling by rocking on their hands and knees.
- Creeping: Similar to crawling, a baby who creeps may pull herself forward with her arms, which are stronger than the leg muscles at this point, and drag the rest of her behind.
- Scooting: Rather than crawl or creep, some babies slide along on their bottoms by pushing off with their arms. Or your tot might slither commando-style on her belly.
- Cruising: The last learning stage before walking is often cruising, which means your baby is making steps while upright and holding on to furniture (or your leg or hand).
What are some signs that your child is almost ready to walk?
You’ll know walking is in the near future if your baby has already tried one or more of the above stages. Other soon-to-walk signs you might notice include better balance from your baby and the ability to stand upright for longer (which means greater strength). And if your cutie is walking like a pro while pushing a handled toy with wheels, she’ll likely be ready to let go soon!
Walking may also be imminent if your baby is going through a sleep regression. This setback in your tot’s usual snoozing routine is often connected to new skills she’s working on during the day. So if your little one is going through the 12-month sleep regression, for example, she may be focused on walking soon (which, in turn, might be disrupting her nighttime shut-eye).
How to help encourage your child to walk
There are lots of ways to encourage walking, but your best bet is to let your baby have as many chances to explore and try it out for herself as possible.
Give your child plenty of time out of the stroller or carrier — and away from the playard or swing — so she can practice getting around on her own. Here are some specific ways to coax your baby to take those first steps:
- Leave a tempting trail. The same tricks that can entice a baby to crawl or pull up can also help motivate a beginning cruiser. Place tantalizing toys just out of reach when she pulls up to stand, and your baby may try out new ways of getting the prize.
- Activate her cruise control. If your toddler can stand but seems afraid or unsure of what to do next, help her by lining up stable furniture to steady herself as she goes (if you haven't already done so, make sure your coffee table, TV stand, and any other items your baby might use to maneuver herself are childproofed, with no sharp corners or risks of tipping).
- Hold her hand. You can also encourage independent stepping by walking with her while holding her hands for balance.
- Get her a push toy. A small shopping cart, say, or a pint-sized lawn mower gives your child control as she grips and pushes it in front of her. Plus, it’ll give her the support she needs as she works those legs, refines her balance, and gains confidence. Look for sturdy toys with a bar or handle she can lean on and big wheels that make it harder for the toy to tip over.
- But don’t use an infant walker. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called for a ban on the sale and manufacture of infant walkers in the U.S.[3] Studies also show that they can slow motor development, inhibit normal spinal curve development, and affect baby’s posture. Even worse, walkers can tip over or roll down the stairs, resulting in injuries.
- Limit time in activity centers. While they don’t carry rough-and-tumble risks, these stationary centers don’t boost walking skills either, even if your baby can stand up and play in one. Remember, she needs to develop her torso and arm muscles in order to walk — not just the leg muscles — so don’t keep her in there for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
- Keep her tootsies bare inside. Skip shoes for now: The best footwear for beginning walkers is nothing at all. Let your baby walk barefoot (or, if you'd like, in non-slip socks) inside as much as possible to build muscle tone in her feet and ankles, help her arches develop, and learn balance and coordination.
- But offer comfy shoes outside. For outdoor excursions, keep the shoes lightweight and flexible. Stay away from tall booties or high-top sneakers — too much ankle support can actually slow down your walker by constricting her movement.
- Expect some stops and starts. Your baby’s new-found walking skill may go on hiatus if your tot decides to intensely practice another trick, such feasting on finger foods after mastering the pincer grasp. Or your little crawler may relish zipping around so much that walking may come later. Other new walkers may suddenly go back to crawling after a bad tumble or illness.
When to talk to your doctor
Patience is key, as every child develops differently and at her own pace. So if your baby is not cruising by month 10 or walking by her first birthday, it's not cause for concern. You can’t really speed up a baby's development, so continue to provide of safe, fun chances to practice walking during playtime.
However, there are a number of idiosyncrasies you’ll notice as your child waddles around — all of them perfectly normal:
- Trips and falls. Boo-boos happen. Make sure your home is childproofed, watch your baby carefully at all times, and try not to overreact to her tumbles and falls. Remember, she's got built-in bumpers (that padded bottom and cushy diaper). Plus, she’ll likely forget her trips and falls long before you do.
- Flat feet. With her little baby legs and flat feet, it might seem like a stretch that she can get around at all. But even though her feet look flat, that’s just baby fat plumping them up. By age 2 or 3, it’ll “melt” away, and you’ll see her natural arches.
- Curvy feet. Some babies’ feet may also curve inward, almost like half-moons. That’s another infant holdover, which likely started in the womb, and is taking its time to straighten out.
- Pigeon-toed feet. Also common is “toeing-in,” or being slightly pigeon-toed, because her shinbones are turned inward. Luckily, it will usually correct itself within six months of her first steps and without any outside help. If it continues longer, check with the pediatrician.
- Toes pointing out. In another variation, some kids toe-out during their second year, only to pivot to toeing-in when they’re 3 or 4 years old. Even if the toeing-in doesn’t completely correct itself, it’s probably not a big deal unless it gets in the way of her walking and running. (If it does, talk to your doctor; corrective shoes can help.)
- Bowed legs. After nine months curled up in your womb, she may have slightly bowed legs, too. Bowed legs typically go away by about 18 months, but may linger until 3 years of age.
- Tiptoe walking. Some toddlers have an insatiable desire to totter around on their tiptoes — which can help develop good balance. Rarely, tiptoeing may indicate too-tight muscles in the heels or feet, but it almost always goes away. To reassure yourself, just check to see that your child can physically flatten her foot. If she can’t, or if she’s still walking on her tiptoes past the age of 2, bring it to the pediatrician’s attention.
Do talk to your pediatrician as soon as possible if you notice your child repeatedly favoring (or stumbling to) one side or falling excessively, or if her legs seem unduly stiff, as these may possibly point to nerve, joint, or spinal problems. If you're concerned, you can take this quiz created by the AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about motor delays[4], though nothing should replace consulting your doctor for a definitive diagnosis.
Otherwise, just enjoy your baby's jaunty gait (that phone video will come in handy now), and applaud her new adventures.
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