Your baby’s first steps are a big moment for him and you, so, you want to know what are the signs baby will walk soon. He’s turning into a toddler, and you should be a proud parent if he manages to hit his milestones earlier than other babies.
A study in the journal Pediatrics suggests that if there are signs baby will walk soon or if his other motor skills, like crawling and standing, develop early on, he is destined for success in life.
However, this may not be true for all kids, and no one child should be compared with another, especially regarding growth and development. This is probably why the same study also says infants who start walking later grow normally without any concerns about their intelligence or motor skills.
The fact is that there’s no such thing as walking too early for babies. But, there are some things that you need to be aware of when it comes to your baby taking his first steps.
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When Can a Baby Start Walking
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As shared, there will be early signs baby will walk soon and a baby that starts walking early is nothing to be concerned about. You should be elated about your little one’s early milestones, which possibly means your little one will be a curious child going forward.
Those traits need encouragement, as walking will open a whole new world for your child.
Babies typically take their first steps on an average of between 9 and 12 months. They usually develop the skill and strength to walk by turning 14 to15 months old. However, not each child develops at the same pace.
On average, children are found to take their first assisted steps by the age of nine months, developing stronger muscles and coordination early on. Some babies do not take their first steps until 20 months.
Nevertheless, children walking late are considered equally normal with their intelligence and motoring skills.
Signs Baby Will Walk Soon
Your baby is about to take his first steps!
It’s always exciting to see your little one take the first step and start walking. But sometimes, it can be hard to tell if your baby is ready or if they are just going through a phase. Here are some signs baby will walk soon:
- Your baby has been sitting on their own for at least 3 months.
- Your baby has good head control and can hold their head up well when they’re sitting.
- Your baby can easily reach for toys and bring them to their mouth (with your help).
- Your baby can play with a toy without falling over or holding onto something for support (like a table).
What Are The Different Stages Of Walking?
Your baby will show signs of getting ready to take the next step, quite literally, as early as six months. They usually start to sit without support at this age and can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
They start developing their skills further from hereon in the journey of walking independently. Here are the four stages of walking you should know about.
1. Sitting Up
Your baby will learn to sit up straight at six months and stay that way to play as their muscular strength increases.
2. Standing Up
By the age of nine months, your baby has developed about 70 per cent of the mass from the hips up, and the legs need a lot of strength to lift the torso. At this age, you will find your baby pulling furniture in the house to get up and stand on his legs.
3. Cruising
Cruising is the part where your baby will start moving around the house, assisted by holding on to the furniture or the wall. This is an extremely crucial phase and most enjoyable for any parent. For the child, too, it is an important milestone, and you will find them brimming with confidence as the horizon widens with every step.
4. Walking
And finally, your child develops enough strength to start walking on their own unassisted. Your little one has finally found the ability to balance himself on one foot when lifting the other.
How To Encourage Your Baby To Walk?
Beginning to walk is no less than a milestone in your child’s life, and capturing this landmark moment is extremely important. Learn about the signs baby will walk soon. It’s a completely new task for your child that tests his strength and ability; all he needs from you is encouragement.
- Positive reinforcement. Make sure to praise them and reinforce a positive environment that encourages them to try and take more steps.
- Help only when needed. Offering a helping hand when needed is just what your child needs, but let them discover the beauty of walking with every step.
- Baby-proof the house. It will also be a time when your child will fall again. Falling is part of learning to walk, and comfort your child when needed. It will also be a good time to ensure that you have baby proof the house to create a safe environment for your child to explore his surroundings.
- Challenge them to walk. You can create different challenges to help your baby master walking as a parent. Challenge them to walk on uneven surfaces in a park. You can also make them walk on different floors to help build better balance, coordination, and muscle power.
When Should You Be Concerned About Your Child’s Walking?
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The average age for children to start walking is around 14 to 15 months, which can be pushed until age two. However, several other concerns could also trigger late walking in babies. These include:
- Developmental Hip Dysplasia
- Softening or weakening of bones (rickets) due to Vitamin D deficiency
- Muscular dystrophy
Baby Not Walking at 20 Months
So you know the signs baby will walk soon, but you’re worried that your baby not walking at 20 months. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. According to some studies, 15 per cent of babies don’t walk by their first birthday.
Many factors can contribute to this delay in mobility, but one of the most common is not being ready yet. If your child is showing signs of readiness—like crawling, pulling up, and cruising—then he or she may start walking any day now!
- Your child may have a physical condition, like cerebral palsy or spina bifida, which makes it difficult or impossible for them to walk.
- Your child might have an intellectual disability or developmental delay that makes it difficult for them to walk. This could also be related to other issues, such as hearing problems or vision impairment.
- Your child may have a psychological issue that prevents them from being able to walk or learn how to do so (such as anxiety).
If you’re still worried about your child’s development, talk to your paediatrician to ensure everything is normal.
Why Is Baby Tiptoe Walking
Baby tiptoe walking is a normal phase of development that most babies go through.
It’s a fun stage where your baby will take their first steps, but they’ll look like they’re walking on tiptoes.
Your baby may also do this when they are crawling or trying to stand up. This is because young babies have very weak muscles and don’t have good control over their bodies.
It’s normal for babies to take their first steps around the age of 9 months or so. You may notice that when your baby starts to walk, they will use their arms to help them balance while they take each step. When babies start standing up independently, they may also use their hands as support until they learn how to balance themselves without them.
As your child grows older and more coordinated, they can walk without using their arms or hands for support.
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How to Stop Baby Walking on Tiptoes
You’re right to be concerned about your baby’s walking on tiptoes. It can be a sign of a foot or ankle problem, and tight shoes may cause it.
Here’s what you can do:
- Have your baby’s feet measured every doctor visit. This will help you track how big her feet are and if there are any changes over time.
- Make sure that your baby wears comfortable shoes that fit well. Shoes that are too small or shoes with narrow toes can cause her feet to cramp up, leading to her walking on tiptoes.
- Another way to stop this behaviour is to watch for signs of discomfort or pain when your baby walks. If you notice them grimacing or wincing when they take each step, it’s time for a checkup with the doctor!
Allow Your Child To Grow At Their Own Pace
Your child doesn’t need to learn and develop the same strength and motor skills as other children. Some children start walking a couple of months later, and that’s completely normal, too.
During this phase, it’s important as a parent not to push your child to achieve these goals before they are ready to do so on their own. Pushing a child to do something they are not prepared for can result in injuries or delay the process altogether.
Remember that walking is as big a step as it gets for your baby and instils more confidence in them. As a parent, you need to encourage them to ensure they can practice in a safe environment. Every child needs their own pace to walk, grow and nurture, and you need to give them time and lots of attention to do so on their own.
Just be sure to track your child’s physical development with the paediatrician for professional guidance and support.
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Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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