When do babies walk on their own

When Your Baby Starts to Walk

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Your baby learning to walk can be some of the most exciting and memorable moments of parenthood. From a very young age, your baby strengthens their muscles, slowly preparing to take their first steps. Usually between 6 and 13 months, your baby will crawl. Between 9 and 12 months, they’ll pull themselves up. And between 8 and 18 months, they’ll walk for the first time.

How Babies Develop Walking Skills

Your baby will develop many skills, including balance, coordination, standing up and supporting their body weight from one leg to the other. Each new skill will build upon the previous skills, making them more prepared to start walking.

Watching your baby take their first steps on their own is an experience you'll never forget. When your baby does start walking, it happens in stages, which include these big milestones:

6 months. Babies start to sit up on their own.

6-9 months. Babies start crawling.

9 months. Babies begin to pull themselves up on furniture like the couch or coffee table, so they can stand.

9-12 months. Babies may start to stand up, hold onto furniture and explore the room.

11-13 months. During this exciting time, you can expect to see your baby start to walk on their own.

Keep in mind that each baby is different and may start walking earlier or later than when the experts deem is "normal". There can be a lot of variation among children's development, and that's totally normal.

If your baby is 18 months or older and hasn’t started walking yet, or if you’re concerned about your child’s development, contact your pediatrician. Watch out for these warning signs of late walkers:

Your baby doesn't roll over in either direction or sit with help
Your baby doesn't support some weight on legs
Your baby doesn't try to attract your attention through their actions
Your baby doesn’t try to talk or babble
Your baby shows no interest in games of peekaboo

Ways to Help Your Baby Start Walking

To help your baby start walking, you can try the following tips:

Play together. When you’re around your baby, you can help them feel safer during playtime. That way, they're more comfortable exploring and have higher confidence.

Encourage moving. Moving around helps your baby build their muscles, which will help them when they start walking and eventually running. You can do this by kneeling in front of your baby, holding out your hands and encouraging them to come to you.

While toddlers are beginning to walk, it's normal for them to take a few spills, that's just a part of learning. While you can't save your baby from every fall, you can reduce the chance of injury.

You can help them by "baby-proofing" your home by making their space as safe as possible:

Put locks on doors and cabinets to help keep your baby away from unsafe items like chemicals
Pad sharp corners of furniture
Install a child-proof gate to prevent your baby from going down the stairs
Keep items like pots and pans on the back of your stovetop

Baby Products for Walking

Baby walkers. Medical professionals do not recommend using baby walkers. Because a walker makes it easy for your baby to get around, your baby’s leg muscles may not develop properly. Also, when a baby is propped up on a baby walker, it can be easier for them to get into things they normally wouldn’t be able to reach, like hot items or poisons that could be dangerous. This makes baby walkers even less safe.

Baby shoes. Hold off on buying baby shoes right away. Walking barefoot helps your child to develop improved balance and coordination. Wait until they start walking outside regularly until you introduce them to baby shoes.

What’s Next After Your Baby Starts Walking?

Your baby's first steps are only the beginning of an exciting new phase in their life. Here's what else you can expect as they become a toddler:

14 months: At this age, your toddler will likely be able to stand on their own, squat, stand back up, and maybe even walk backwards.
15 months: Your child will be pretty good at walking and will likely enjoy push-and-pull toys and exploring new things.
16 months: Your baby will start to show an interest in going up and down the stairs, although they will likely still look to you for help with this one.
18 months: By 18 months, your child will probably have the walking thing down and enjoy moving around on their own. They’ll probably enjoy climbing on furniture and dancing to music, too.

As your child gains more confidence and independence, it opens up all kinds of new opportunities. It’s an exciting time, so don't forget to enjoy it.

When do babies start walking? Your guide to baby’s first steps

Photo: iStock/tomazl

Your baby learning to walk is an exciting milestone—they are, literally, taking steps toward a whole new way of life as a toddler (and a whole new way of life for you as a parent of a toddler!). And like many milestones, it comes with questions. Here’s what you need to know.

When do babies walk?

Parents often think babies should walk independently by 12 months, but anywhere between nine and 18 months is considered within the completely normal range, says Elizabeth Zahary, a paediatric physiotherapist in Edmonton.

Carl Cummings, a paediatrician in Montreal, agrees. “In my practice, the average age for walking alone is 13 or 14 months,” he says.

And don’t worry if your baby takes a few steps one day, but crawls again the next. There’s no perfect timeline between a baby's first steps and walking independently.

“You need to have hundreds and hundreds of supported steps, holding someone’s hand or a piece of furniture, before you’re able to walk unsupported,” says Zahari. It can take several months.

How do babies learn to walk?

It requires strength, coordination and balance for babies to learn to walk, and these are complex skills that require lots of building blocks. Tummy time is an important piece here, says Zahary, because it helps babies extend and strengthen their core, arm and leg muscles. Practicing tummy time from birth will help them sit, crawl, cruise and, ultimately, stand.

Growth affects balance, too. “Babies are top-heavy, so their centre of gravity is just under their armpits as infants,” says Zahary. “As they grow, their centre of gravity moves to their hips and pelvis, which allows them to develop balance.”

Neuromotor skills (how the brain and body work together) need to develop as well so that your baby can coordinate taking their first steps. “When all those systems mature, they’ll be ready to walk,” says Zahary.

Another factor that can be pretty important is a child’s temperament, says Zahary. “Kids who are naturally more cautious tend to be a little slower to walk because they feel very safe crawling, and standing up makes them feel insecure,” she says.

Stages of learning how to walk

A number of developmental milestones usually precede your baby’s first steps, including pulling to stand and cruising.

Pulling to stand:

Between nine and 11 months, your baby may start trying to pull their body up to a standing position by holding onto something, such as a sofa or crib.

Cruising:

From 10 to 12 months, your baby may start cruising, which means they will stand up and hold onto a piece of furniture while they take a few steps.

Standing and walking:

Between 12 and 14 months, they may start to squat down and stand back up again. At this point, they may take a step or two when you hold them upright and gradually (or quickly, depending on the kid!) start walking on their own.

How can I help my baby walk?

“The basic developmental mantra is ability and opportunity,” says Cummings. “They’re not going to walk until they have the ability, but they need the opportunity.” Hold their hands while they’re standing and give some loving encouragement.

You can encourage your baby to walk by placing the furniture so that your baby can hold onto one piece and move to another without obstacles in the way, or by putting toys on the couch rather than on the floor so that they pull themselves up to standing.

Activity centres that encourage standing to play, such as water tables, play kitchens and workbenches, are another good idea, says Zahary. A push toy that allows them to hold on while they walk, such as a play cart or lawnmower, also helps kids who are close to walking on their own get the hang of it (just make sure it’s used under supervision and away from stairs!).

Should my baby use a walker?

Baby walkers that babies stand in and use their feet to push around have been banned in Canada since 2004 because they have led to many injuries. Plus, they don’t actually help babies learn to walk because they don’t allow them to practice all of the balance and strength skills they need for independent walking, say experts.

Should my baby wear shoes when learning to walk?

Shoes don’t help babies learn to walk, says Cummings. Rather, your baby can go barefoot or wear non-slip socks or slippers around the house. When you are outside and need to protect those sweet feet, choose footwear that’s the right size, with flexible rubber soles for proper support.

Signs my baby will walk soon

After mastering crawling and scooting (sliding around on their bottom), walking will soon follow. Once your baby begins pulling themselves up on furniture and taking a few steps, which is known as cruising, they are well on their way to taking their first solo steps. Other signs to watch for include better balance when your baby is standing, and walking confidently with a push toy.

Should I call the doctor if my baby is a late walker?

When it comes to baby milestones, it’s natural to compare your little one to other kids their age. But it’s a much better idea to check with your doctor, who can evaluate your child’s overall development, which includes gross and fine motor skills, language and socialization. It’s generally about context, says Cummings.

If your child is 12 months old and shows no interest in crawling or pulling themselves up, the doctor may want to investigate. On the other hand, if a child is 15 months old and not walking alone yet but has met other milestones for crawling and cruising, it’s usually not a cause for concern.

Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist, particularly if your baby is getting close to 18 months. The physiotherapist may check for a variety of things, including decreased flexibility on one side of the body, which could be a sign of orthopaedic or neurological issues. It could be something as simple as your child has a bigger-than-average head, which means it might take them a bit longer to find their balance.

“Every once in a while, I’ll see a child who raises some concerns, but mostly it’s about providing reassurance to parents and giving strategies to encourage movement,” says Zahary.

About our experts: Elizabeth Zahary is a paediatric physiotherapist at Summerside Children’s and Sport Physiotherapy in Edmonton. Carl Cummings is a Montreal-based paediatrician.

When can a child go to school alone? – Moscow 24, 03/10/2021

March 10, 2021, 00:01

Society

At what age should a child go to school, shop, sections on their own? Hiding a schoolboy under a skirt is just as wrong as exposing him to the big world ahead of time. How to determine the point of growing up, the journalist, blogger, mother of two children Yevgeny Borodina figured out.

Photo: depositphotos/AllaSerebrina

Free flight
Mothers of first-graders sometimes think that they will lead their children by the hand until graduation. The outside world seems so hostile that it is scary at first to let schoolchildren go. But life does not stand still. The average Moscow family releases children on the street from the age of 10. By the age of 12, the guys are fully accustomed to the surroundings, and from the age of 14 they confidently drive around the city.

Meanwhile, psychologists believe that children are ready to navigate the metropolis on their own even from the age of 7. And some first-graders really run to school on their own, if the house is not far away and there is no need to cross the road. In such cases, the parents write a statement addressed to the director of the educational institution that the student will go unaccompanied by their parents. nine0007 But everyone has their own stage of growing up.

Some children are ready to go to school without parental supervision, while others are still early. It's up to you to decide.

Much depends on the environment in which students grow up. In large families, children get independence earlier, just like children growing up with working parents, without nannies and grandmothers. And if, until recently, a schoolboy, as they say, saw the world only from the window of your personal car, then he is unlikely to feel calm in the unusual environment of the street. It is really scary to let such a child go alone. He does not have the skills of independence, and he will not orient himself on the ground. The route to the school the student must go with an adult, preferably more than once. And parents should warn about potential dangers in advance. nine0003

Strangers
According to parents, mysterious strangers are the number one danger of our time. Therefore, the topical advice - never talk to strangers - should be learned by everyone in primary school age. And the unknown is any passer-by whom the children do not know personally. It is difficult to distinguish a person with good intentions from a potentially dangerous one. It doesn't say on his face that he's a villain. Adults more or less know how to understand people, and the guys have yet to learn this. nine0003

First you need to know your neighbors by sight, to understand who is in a hurry on business, and who is idly wandering around the yard. Do not enter the entrance or elevator with strangers - the rule. You can even say to those who hold the door: "I'm waiting for dad." And in case of danger, do not be shy and loudly call for help, shouting: "I do not know this person."

Golden rule: if you see a drunk, get away. At the subconscious level, it is necessary to keep passers-by in sight, slowing down and letting those who follow suspiciously slowly follow. nine0007 Children should know that adults do not and cannot have any urgent matters for children. Uncles and aunts do not need the help of a child, but should seek support from their peers. The attention of the elder should not flatter the student. And the rule "to obey adults" does not apply to the first uncle or aunt you meet.

Of course, there are no rules without exceptions. For example, at a dangerous intersection, a responsible adult will always secure someone else's child without further ado. And such help must also be distinguished from intrusive attention. nine0007

Photo: depositphotos/Valerii_Honcharuk

Cars
Cars can be compared to predators in the jungle. Steel beasts are just as unpredictable. From an early age, we taught our sons to be careful about cars. In courtyards and back streets, pedestrians sometimes have to determine their approach by ear and even by the reflection of headlights in puddles.

Teach the children the importance of avoiding cars with running engines and headlights on.

Everyone knows that you should only cross a busy road at a green light. It’s good to stand at the crossing for an extra couple of seconds, because reckless drivers often slip after switching the traffic light. And at first, it is better for children to bypass unregulated crossings or a road without markings. If this cannot be avoided, then it must be borne in mind that cars rush faster from the hill. And make sure that the driver sees you exactly when he slows down, passing people. nine0003

There are a great many of these rules. But if you learn them, then they will simply pop up in your mind at the right time. And you should start teaching them to a child from the age when he sits in a stroller, looking around with interest.

How to cut the umbilical cord
Our goal is to teach the child to navigate the jungles of the big world, as Bagheera taught the little frog Mowgli. We will not be able to live life for the offspring, constantly laying straw on his way. We must start small. Leave your son or daughter in the yard, watching them through the window. Send children for bread to the store located nearby. Sending a child to school, quietly observing from a distance how he behaves on the road. nine0003

When our son, at less than 8 years old, went out for the first time alone to play football in the neighboring schoolyard, it was akin to a spacewalk. But he got used to it very soon. He independently overcame two roads, learned to converge with unfamiliar guys. And he also defended his ball when one impudent teenager wanted to take it away.

And this was also important, because in free flight the child will have to resolve conflict situations on his own. From the fourth grade, the son himself goes to a comprehensive school and travels by bus to music and sports. And we secretly worry about him and get used to the fact that he is no longer small. nine0003

Evgeniya Borodina

society children

When a child starts walking and how to help him

October 12, 2019 Likbez Tips

One and a half - it's not too late. Have patience.

When the child should go

Pediatricians agree on some things. The average child takes their first step at 12 months. The key word here is average. And your unique one has every right (approved by pediatricians and physiologists) to go to a different age. nine0003

The scope of the norm in this case varies very widely - from 8 months to one and a half years.

Many parents are proud that their children start walking earlier than most. It seems to them that this speaks of the development of the child. But this is just a far-fetched excuse to amuse their parental vanity.

The age at which the child will go is related to his development, physical or intellectual abilities in exactly the same way as the shape of the nose or the color of the hair. In plain text, no way. Someone is red, someone has gray eyes, and someone went on their own at 8 months. nine0003

However, there are still certain situations when a delay in starting to walk should alert.

When to start worrying

First of all, a healthy child must somehow take the first independent step before 20 months. By this age, the children have grown strong enough that it was given to them without much effort. If the child refuses to walk or does it only with support, it is necessary to contact the pediatrician. You may need additional examinations from other specialized specialists - an orthopedist or a neuropathologist. nine0003

Secondly, the big picture is important. It's one thing if the child does not walk, but his motor functions are obviously developing: he confidently rolls over, sits down, reaches for toys, crawls, tries to rise against the wall of the crib or climb onto the sofa, jumps enthusiastically when you hold him by the hands. And it’s quite another if his physical activity seems insufficient to you. This is also a serious reason to additionally consult a doctor.

If none of these situations apply to you and your children, relax. The child will definitely start walking as soon as he is ready for it. nine0003

What determines when a child goes

By and large, this is a lottery. No pediatrician will undertake to predict the exact dates, even observing a specific baby from birth and knowing everything about the family history. However, there are some regularities that allow us to make assumptions.

Here are the main factors that can affect (but not necessarily) the age at which a child takes his first independent steps.

Genetics

If dad or mom started walking at an early age, it is likely that children will inherit this feature. The reverse is also true. If, for example, a father preferred to crawl for up to a year and a half, his son may choose the same tactic. nine0003

Weight and body type

Plumper and heavier children find it harder to get on their feet and balance than their leaner and more muscular buddies.

Some personality traits

Getting to your feet and taking the first step without support is quite a risky undertaking. Some children act on the principle of "head into the pool": they simply remove their hands from the wall or sofa and step into the unknown. Of course, they fall, sometimes it hurts, but they try again. Perhaps this propensity for risky behavior is a part of their character that will stay with them forever. nine0003

Other infants, on the other hand, behave in a more measured way - they walk only when they are sure that they can cope with this task. Caution and the ability to calculate their own strengths can also be innate features of their personality.

Duration of pregnancy

Children who were born prematurely, as a rule, begin to walk a little later than their peers.

How to help your child take the first step and begin to walk confidently

It is impossible to force children to walk by a certain date. Walking, for all its seeming simplicity, is a very complex and energy-intensive process: what does it take to maintain balance on one leg at the moment when the other takes a step. The body of the child must mature for this stage. But you can help. True, you will have to start long before the first step. nine0003

What to do at 2 months

Around this age, babies first try to roll over. Encourage this movement. Lay out your child more often in a soft, safe space filled with bright toys - so that you want to look at them and, possibly, get them.

Encourage children to spend more time on their stomachs. Trying to raise your head and look at the world around you strengthens the muscles of your back and neck, which play an important role in maintaining balance while walking. nine0003

What to do at 4-6 months

The period when the child learns to sit up and possibly crawl. Provide a place to explore the world: let the children spend more time not in a crib or playpen, but on the floor - spread out some blankets and lay out toys. Trying to reach objects is a great workout for small muscles.

What to do at 6-8 months

The child is already sitting confidently, or even crawling. Give him tasks for dynamics: for example, roll a bright ball on the floor so that you want to catch it. Such a ball hunt trains the vestibular apparatus and coordination. nine0003

Another exercise that has the same purpose is as follows: bring the child up with their back to you and gently rock them.

What to do around 8 months old

As babies become stronger and more curious, they tend to break away from their usual gender. For example, get a toy lurking on the couch. Or try to climb on mom (dad), holding on to trousers or a bathrobe with your hands.

Encourage these movements. Put your favorite bear cubs out in a conspicuous place. Or, when the child is sitting, invitingly stretch your hands towards him from the height of your own height, without bending down, to encourage him to reach out to you. nine0003

If you see that the child is ready to get up, help him do it. And then show how to bend your knees to get back on the safe floor.

During this period, it would be good to buy a stationary game center, which you can play with just getting up. This encourages children to spend more time standing up.

What to do at 9-10 months

Teach your child to stand without support. At least a couple of seconds. To do this, at a time when he is holding on to something, offer to take his favorite or new toy. This will force him to take his hands off the support. nine0003

A slightly more advanced exercise: help the child stand up and then give a plastic stick as a support. Carefully move the object - the baby will start to follow him. A stroller can also play the role of a wand: put it next to it during a walk, let it grab the frame and slowly move forward.

Heavy stable toys on wheels (toy lawn mowers, carts) will also be a good simulator: by pushing them in front of them, children learn to do step by step. nine0003

What to do at 10 months and older

At this age, many children can already walk. But often they are afraid of a large open space around. Make sure that the child has the opportunity to move “along the wall” - that is, in a maximum of a step or two, move from one support to another. This will create a sense of security.

An ordinary gymnastics hoop can be used to get children to go out into the open. Throw it on the child, giving him the opportunity to lean on his hands, and lead the hoop to the center of the room. The kid will follow the support. nine0003

But experts advise to give up popular walkers.

Firstly, these items reduce the child's desire to learn to walk: really, why, because he already knows how to move in space in this convenient contraption? Secondly, walkers are simply unsafe. Thanks to them, children in a matter of seconds can be where they should not be. For example, in front of the stairs leading down or at the table, on the edge of which there is a cup of hot coffee. Adults simply do not have time to keep track of this. nine0003

When you realize that your child is already trying to walk, be sure to get on all fours and look around from the height of his eyes. Sharp corners, sockets, edges of tablecloths that you want to grab and drag down, an iron on an ironing board, and the like - all these dangers must be neutralized.