When Do Babies Walk?

Watching your baby take their first steps is an undeniably special milestone—that may very well come with some mixed emotions when you realize how much your baby has grown. (And how you have already fallen behind if you have not baby-proofed the house, yet!) But, while that very first step gets a lot of the glory, your baby spends an impressive amount of time building up to that wobbly walk. 

When do babies start walking?

When it comes to walking, there is a particularly wide average developmental range: Some babies are toddling around the room well before their first birthday while others aren’t ready to take that first baby step until closer to 18 months. Part or that timing is related to your child’s internal abilities, some of us have better balance than others. But it’s also related to your tot’s inborn temperament: daredevil and thrill seeking or cautious and contemplative. For example, one baby might be content to cruise around the room for weeks while another is eager to get on with unassisted walking after just a few days of practice. 

When should a baby walk without support?

Some babies walk as early as 8 months and others take until 18 months. Of course, most are in the middle and get pretty mobile between 10 and 15 months. Research shows that exactly when a baby takes those first steps has no correlation with their ultimate intelligence or coordination. Standing and walking are also much slower in babies who are uber flexible. So, if your child does the splits every time she tries to stand…her flexibility may be the cause. It will later be fantastic help in dance and gymnastics. And actually, late walking is a blessing….fewer accidents!

What are signs a baby is going to walk soon? 

Unlike rolling over, which seems to start on a specific day…and never stop, there’s lots of build-up before the first step—so you’ll probably see this milestone coming from, well, miles away. Generally, you will know that your baby is getting ready to walk when they can pull themselves up, cruise along—clinging to the sides of furniture for balance— and stand independently for five to 10 seconds. By the time they can stand, most babies will be walking within a few months. 

How can I help my baby learn to walk?

To be honest, infants really don’t need much help learning to walk. They’re pretty unstoppable!  It starts with rolling, sitting, and crawling. Along the way, they are building their strength, coordination, and balance skills—all of which are essential for those first steps. And, before you know it, your tiny baby has figured out how to balance that big, heavy head on that skinny little neck…three feet above the ground! 

When you notice your baby is getting ready to walk, here’s how to be the cheerleader: As they cruise along the furniture or pull to stand, sit on the floor about a foot away and hold out your hand. That’s for your tot to grab and stabilize. Take your time…and be positive…but there’s no need to applaud too hard.  

To boost your baby’s balance and coordination, work on walking while holding their hand or by letting them use a little bouncy seat or push toy (like a toddler-sized shopping cart) while you supervise. Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended banning infant walkers, which have been shown to cause injuries and delay motor development.  

Walking is a big physical feat, but it’s also a mental challenge—so helping your baby develop their confidence is important! And that means not making them feel there is huge pressure form you for them to succeed. You want your child’s sense of success to come from their inner joy, not from making you happy!

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.