Toddler milestones - walking

Once your baby has mastered rolling, sitting and crawling, it’s just a matter of time before they begin to pull themselves upright, and start ‘cruising’ around the furniture before they gain the confidence and balance to go it alone.

Most babies will happily walk either holding your hand or pushing a toy along as they practice for the real thing.

The first move

The first move from knees to feet can come any time from 8 or 9 months, but some babies are 18 months before they take their first teetering steps. But whenever they take the plunge, they will all be running around in the school yard together, and no one will ever know who walked first.

Don’t be tempted to rush out and buy shoes too soon. Babies still need to feel contact with the ground and spread their toes in order to balance. At home, going barefoot is fine. It’s when your baby is taking their first steps outside and their feet need protection that you need to think about putting them in shoes.  Find out more in our shoe-buying guide.

More milestones

Rolling

Sitting

Crawling

 

Comments

Submitted by powlesc on Fri, 16/12/2011 - 13:55.
my little girl Ellie is 11 month and not yet walking alown. But my son (who is now 4 and a half) took his first steps at 10 month. Thay are all so different
Submitted by mamarkulalina on Fri, 11/11/2011 - 18:08.
my son is 10 month and is says; mam,dad.He is crawling,walking holding hands... and I so happy!
Submitted by lovelylora88 on Tue, 08/11/2011 - 22:04.
My son is 11 months and is crawling, pulling himself up, standing, walking holding hands etc but not taking steps on his own (thank god) I am in no way ready or encouraging my small boy to walk!! Lol! I'm sure he'll be good and ready one day :) xx
Submitted by melh35 on Tue, 18/10/2011 - 22:14.
my son is 2 next month and not yet talking, he moans and points at the stuff he wants, shakes his head for no, says whats this (only i understand this) calls my daughters name, and thats about it, yet he understands every word i say to him, my daughter is 1 next month and says far more words, is generally quicker than him in almost everything too!!
Submitted by Sasnas on Wed, 05/10/2011 - 20:54.
My little boy is nearly 16 months old and has only started furniture walking. He loves holding my hand and walking and would happily do this all day. I think you do feel pressurised sometimes because being human, we always compare. My daughter was walking around confidently at 9 months so I guess I compare without even relalising. I have now accepted that he will do it when he's ready. May as well enjoy the peace while I can!!!
Submitted by JEG69 on Wed, 28/09/2011 - 21:33.
What we always need to realise is that it is NOT a competition. My DD is 16mths and still only walking with a hand or furniture to hold. I could be disappointed as others her age are already walking but,she will do it in her way and in her time and as her mum I will be proud whenever because I love her.
Submitted by tigersfan on Thu, 22/09/2011 - 09:06.
My son is 15 nearly 15 months and has only just started to take some steps holding onto the furniture. It is hard when you hear of younger ones doing things a lot sooner than your child has, but my son has got lots of clear words and will say 2 words together so is more advanced in that way. We need to try to remember all children develop at different rates and in their own time as they are all individuals, but i know this is a hard think to think.
Submitted by kelly28marie on Wed, 17/08/2011 - 06:59.
my first child walked at 9 months my 2nd walked at 14 months and my 3rd as just started walking at 15 months, all babies are different and grow at the own rate, enjoy the peace while you can xx
Submitted by amandamilner on Mon, 18/04/2011 - 19:27.
My eldest (now 18 yrs) started walking at 22 months and my youngest has just started walking unaided at 21 months- they honestly do it in their own time so dont be put off by other mums bragging that their super clever darling did it at 9 months. My eldest also has a conditional place at Oxford Uni this September- now that is clever.
Submitted by simonucia on Sun, 17/04/2011 - 09:42.
My babe is 15 months, not walking by herself yet :(. She is walking only if you give her hand, or holding on a furniture. I don't make about it big deal, for everything is right time. At least I still have peace in my home :)
 

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