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- When Do Babies Start Walking?<\/a>\n
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- Reasons for Late Walking in Babies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- What are the Signs My Baby Will Walk Soon?<\/a>\n
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- Creeping and Crawling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- How Can I Encourage My Baby to Walk?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Baby Proofing Ready for Baby to Walk<\/a><\/li>\n
- Baby Products for Walking<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is Toe Walking?<\/a><\/li>\n
- When Should My Baby Start to Wear Shoes?<\/a>\n
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- What Kind of Shoes Are Best for Babies Learning to Walk?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Developmental Delays with Walking \u2014 When to See a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When Do Babies Start Walking?<\/h2>\n
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Prostock-studio\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Typically, babies start walking between twelve and eighteen months<\/strong>. However, it\u2019s important to remember that this is an average; some babies may start walking as early as seven months, while others may take their first steps a little later.<\/p>\n
Reasons for Late Walking in Babies<\/h3>\n
Babies that aren\u2019t walking by the age of eighteen months are considered late walkers. There are a number of reasons that can cause this. These include prematurity or low birth weight, genetic conditions, neuromuscular conditions or physical conditions, or prolonged hospitalization or illness.<\/p>\n
Late walking could simply be down to your kid\u2019s unique personality: some babies are naturally more cautious than others, and these little ones may need a little more encouragement and support when it comes to learning to stand and walk.<\/p>\n
What are the Signs My Baby Will Walk Soon?<\/h2>\n
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Razbitnov\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
This is such an exciting time: learning to walk is a major milestone, and parents are keen to look out for the signs their baby will walk soon. But what are these signs?<\/p>\n
Here are the clues that your little one could be walking soon:<\/p>\n
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- Baby is pulling themselves up to a stand using furniture.<\/li>\n
- They are generally more adventurous\u2014this confidence is crucial when it comes to taking those first steps.<\/li>\n
- They\u2019ve started cruising around, by holding onto something as they take steps.<\/li>\n
- Standing up without support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Another sign that might catch you off guard is sudden night waking when they have been sleeping through, or a change in sleep pattern. Often, right before a major developmental leap, babies can experience disturbed sleep\u2014very frustrating when you\u2019ve formerly been enjoying an uninterrupted eight-hour nightly rest. So if your baby is suddenly waking in the night again for no apparent reason, get ready: it could be nearly walking time!<\/p>\n
Wondering about where crawling fits in the scheme of things? While many babies crawl before they start walking, some skip this stage entirely or go from commando crawling (pulling themselves along on their tummy) to walking. The main milestone, when it comes to walking independently, is learning to pull themselves up to a complete stand.<\/p>\n
Creeping and Crawling<\/h3>\n
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fizkes\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Although some babies miss out on the crawling stage and go straight to walking, many others don\u2019t. Crawling tends to happen around the seven to nine months<\/strong> mark; it\u2019s where a baby uses their arms and legs to propel themselves forward, keeping their tummy on the ground.<\/p>\n
After crawling usually comes the creeping stage. Creeping involves a baby moving around without their tummy being in contact with the floor. It occurs when a baby is able to put their full weight on their hands and knees. As well as being a sign of amazing muscle and coordination development, creeping gives them a whole new perspective on the world. And it\u2019s this curiosity that\u2019s often the catalyst to attempts to pull up and walk.<\/p>\n
Before fully-fledged independent walking, many babies go through a cruising phase, where they stand and holding onto various pieces of furniture, move about the room.<\/p>\n
How Can I Encourage My Baby to Walk?<\/h2>\n
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Tymonko Galyna\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Now you know roughly when you can expect your baby to start walking, it\u2019s time to consider some ways to help them learn! After all, taking your first steps is a tricky business.<\/p>\n
Tummy Time<\/h3>\n
Encourage your baby to spend time on their tummy to strengthen their neck, back, and arm muscles, which are essential for crawling and eventually walking.<\/p>\n
Watch Out for Cues<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll usually see some clues that your baby is about to start walking, such as those we\u2019ve discussed above. When you see them, offer plenty of encouragement, and praise your little one every time they attempt a step and every achievement.<\/p>\n
Offer a Helping Hand<\/h3>\n
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AYO Production\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Standing or crouching just a few steps away from your baby, extend your hand and encourage them to walk to you. Once they\u2019re confidently walking a few steps independently, move a little further away. You could also use a favorite toy to encourage your baby to take just a few more of those steps!<\/p>\n
Supportive Environment<\/h3>\n
Create a safe and open space for your baby to practice walking, such as a clear area on the floor. Remove any obstacles or hazards that could impede their progress.<\/p>\n
Use of Toys<\/h3>\n
Place toys just out of reach to encourage your baby to crawl or cruise along furniture to reach them. This motivates them to move and explore their surroundings.<\/p>\n
Challenge Them<\/h3>\n
Once your baby has gotten the hang of walking on flat surfaces, it\u2019s time to challenge them by helping them master more uneven surfaces. Always ensure, however, that this is a safe surface, such as a ramp.<\/p>\n
Make it Fun!<\/h3>\n
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New Africa\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
We get it: watching your baby trying to take their first steps can be nerve-wracking\u2014you don\u2019t want them to fall. But keeping things light-hearted and fun is the best way to make the whole activity an enjoyable experience\u2014and one that your little one will want to repeat again and again.<\/p>\n
Encouragement and Positive Reinforcement<\/h3>\n
Praise and encourage your baby as they attempt to walk, even if it’s just a few steps. Positive reinforcement boosts their confidence and motivates them to keep trying.<\/p>\n
Offer Comfort After a Fall<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s normal for babies to frequently take a fall or tumble when they start walking, so be quick to offer a hug and consolation when these occur. It\u2019s important to baby-proof your house, to ensure that regular falls don\u2019t have the potential to turn into something more serious. Adding corner guards to tables and other items of furniture is an example of how to prevent this.<\/p>\n
Your child is growing up not by days, but by hours! The next developmental milestones will imply increasing independence and detachment from parents. To worry less about your child and ensure their safety in any circumstances, use the Findmykids app<\/a>!<\/p>\n
Baby Proofing Ready for Baby to Walk<\/h2>\n
- Developmental Delays with Walking \u2014 When to See a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How Can I Encourage My Baby to Walk?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What are the Signs My Baby Will Walk Soon?<\/a>\n
- Reasons for Late Walking in Babies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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