When will my baby start walking?
Throughout your baby's first year, they will steadily develop better coordination and muscle strength. They'll master sitting, rolling over, and crawling.
6 Months: At this stage, your baby will begin to sit up independently. This milestone signifies that their core muscles are strengthening, allowing them to maintain a seated position without support.
6-9 Months: During this period, many babies start crawling. Crawling is an important developmental step, as it helps build coordination and muscle strength. It also enables your baby to explore their environment more actively.
9 Months: By nine months, you may notice your baby pulling themselves up on furniture, such as the couch or coffee table. This action demonstrates their growing strength and balance, as they begin to experiment with standing while supported.
9-12 Months: Between nine and twelve months, your baby will likely start standing up, holding onto furniture for support, and exploring their surroundings from a new vantage point. This phase is crucial as it prepares them for the next big step—walking.
11-13 Months: During this exciting period, many babies take their first independent steps. As they build confidence and refine their balance, you'll see them walking on their own. This milestone represents a significant leap towards increased independence and mobility.
How can I encourage my baby to start walking?
Encourage Standing Practice:Help your baby practice standing by supporting them on your knees or against cushions on the sofa.
Use Toys for Motivation: Place toys just out of reach on a sofa or low table to encourage your baby to pull themselves up and reach for them.
Teach Safe Sitting: Show your baby how to bend their knees to sit down safely from a standing position.
Support Walking: Stand or kneel in front of your baby, holding their hands to help them walk towards you.
Try a Toddle Truck: Use a stable toddler truck or push toy with a wide base of support to aid in walking practice.
Avoid Baby Walkers: Refrain from using baby walkers as they can be dangerous and lead to accidents.
Encourage Barefoot Walking: Let your baby walk barefoot to improve balance and coordination. Avoid tight shoes or socks that restrict foot movement.
Measure Feet for Shoes: When buying shoes, ensure they are properly fitted by a qualified fitter to allow for growth. Shoes are only necessary once your baby is walking confidently outdoors.
My baby isn’t walking yet, should I be worried?
Babies develop walking skills at different rates, and it's normal for some to walk later than others. If your baby isn’t walking by 18 months or if you have concerns, consult your doctor or health visitor. Delays in walking can be influenced by genetics or if your baby was born prematurely.
When Jasmine was about 15 months I started to panic that she wasn’t walking, as everyone else’s babies were. I’m not generally like that but I think I had a complex that we hadn’t been encouraging her enough. By 16 and a bit months she was on her feet then there was no stopping her.
For a deeper dive into your baby's development, check out our article with expert GP Dr Stephanie Ooi, who provides a guide on the milestones to expect in the first 18 months of your baby's life.
