When do Babies Start Walking? Signs Your Baby’s Working on the BABY STEPS

When do babies start walking?  

It’s natural to be concerned as a parent when your child doesn’t show signs of walking. But are you sure that you are tracking the right signs?  

• Especially babies start to build their walking skills from when they are six months of age, and it goes on till they are 18 months old.  

• They start by crawling, balancing, and pulling themselves up.  

• They might be cruising from one piece of furniture to the other before they can fully walk.  

• First, they stand up, and then they ready themselves for walking.  

This article explains how fast your child learns to walk. We have also focused on signs suggesting your little one is ready to take the baby steps. Keep reading. 

How do Babies Start to Walk?

Walking combines different skills that your baby might be learning step by step.  

Before they are ready to walk, your child needs to develop the skills mentioned below – 

• Balance 

• Coordination 

• Crawling 

• Standing  

• Ability to strengthen their body to hold their weight.  

They build up each of their skills on top of the previous skills your little one learned. It can happen step by step. But don’t be surprised if your little one skips one stage completely and starts to walk.  

Here is how the complex skill of learning to walk develops in your child – 

First, your child will learn to pull themselves up. This requires using their hands to support and lift their body weight. They will go on to crawl and build muscle strength for walking.  

Next, they will start to work on their balancing skills and coordination. These are vital skills for helping your kid to learn to walk. These trails will go on for months.  

Your child will keep on practicing these skills and eventually learn to walk. But when does it happen? At what age does your baby start to walk? Should you go and buy a baby walker right now? 

No need to worry. We have the answer down below – 

When do Babies Start Walking?

Seeing your baby walk is among the best experiences to have in your whole life. It’s a memorable milestone. He probably has been inherently developing those skills without you noticing anything. 

Rolling, sitting up straight, crawling, and stammering will lead to your baby walking. But before your baby takes those steps, they must reach a minimum age. Usually, when your baby is around 7 to 12 months of age, they start to pull themselves up and get ready to walk. 

Here are some signs when your baby is getting ready to walk – 

Pulling Themselves Up

Your baby starts to be concerned about walking when trying to pull themselves up from the floor. They might try to hold the side of the furniture and pull themselves up and stand up.  

This is common when they are adept at crawling and trying harder to push their speed. If you wonder when your baby will walk, wait for these signs. Usually, parents must wait till their children are at least eight months old.  

But remember, your child will stand up before they are ready to walk. Even standing independently would require them to try for at least three months.  

Cruising

I know it’s a magical experience to watch your baby take the baby steps for the first time. But it takes time. If you are wondering when babies start walking, look out for cues around 7 to 8 months.  

Typically, they start tentatively while grabbing the furniture, such as the couch or sturdy table. This is called cruising. Your baby is trying to stand up and learn to walk in all possible ways.  

Some children start to walk from the moment they stand up. But they can continue until only 4 or 5 baby steps. Your baby might have a range of learning, such as standing up and walking.  

Please wait for the right moment till they are ready. But, for now, support them and, most importantly, make the furniture childproof.  

Pediatricians and child health specialists suggest parents support their babies under their armpits so that they can walk comfortably.  

When do Babies Start Walking? Wait or Fussy Symptoms

When your baby starts teething, you will see them get fussy over little things and lose their patience. One reason behind this fussiness can be the brain work your baby is putting in. Teething is a development milestone, and your baby needs to let it out to adjust to this development.  

Pediatricians also suggest that your baby might be getting ready to walk, so you get all this fuss. Be patient and give them a little time. Your baby might start to walk sooner than you imagined. 

Track their Sleep Changes 

If you are winding, when will your baby start walking? Then, could you keep track of their sleeping habits? As your baby starts to grow, their sleeping habits will change. Your baby will have different sleeping habits in the first two years. 

Tracing any changes in their sleeping habits can suggest that your baby is building up their walking skills. But it’s not always what it looks like.  

But changing sleeping habits doesn’t suggest your baby will walk or stand up. If you notice any concerning disturbances in their sleep, it’s best to consult a pediatrician.  

Working on Balance and Confidence 

Your baby will start to work on their confidence and pull themselves up to walk. They are trying to build their confidence in walking. So, they pull themselves up and stammer from one part of the room to the other. 

This is when your baby tastes their limits and works their courage to cruise alongside the couches, chairs, tables, and sofa. They might be moving from one object to the other and balance themselves. But this act of trying also tests how confident they are.  

But remember that all babies are unique. Everyone doesn’t build the same level of courage and confidence at the same age. If you see them trying to stand up or walk, then it’s inarguably the most exciting milestone to watch out for. Your baby might take some time to adjust, but that’s okay.  

This is How Babies Develop their Walking Skills 

The development phase that takes your baby from pulling themselves up to walking goes on for months. Your baby must work on collective skills to get ready to walk. Therefore, it will take some time. Here is how they learn to walk step by step – 

3 to 4 months – while they are lying on their stomach, your babies will try to push themselves up for a short period. 

6 to 7 months – your baby will try to sit up and stay upright briefly.  

6 to 9 months – your baby starts to crawl.  

Nine months – They start to pull themselves up to stand up for a short period.  

9 to 12 months –, your little one is ready to cruise at this age. They can go from one piece of furniture to the other and support themselves while standing.  

11 to 13 months – at this age, your baby will start to walk on their own. They are independent and strong enough to hold their own.  

Again, it’s common for your baby to skip a stage or be a late bloomer for a specific stage. While some children take time to walk, some can quickly get ready. Don’t be surprised if they completely skip crawling and start to walk.  

Seeking Help

Typically, your child should be able to build their walking skills by 18 months (about 1 and a half years). But, if you still do not see them standing up, it’s time to talk to the pediatricians. Don’t neglect if you see the signs of your baby limping, refusing to walk, or waddling at this age.  

Otherwise, if he’s showing the signs of walking mentioned above, there’s no need to worry. He might be taking his time and developing his walking skills gradually.  

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