When do babies start walking?

Parents often think babies should walk independently by 12 months, but anywhere between nine and 18 months is considered within the completely normal range, says Elizabeth Zahary, a paediatric physiotherapist in Edmonton.

Carl Cummings, a paediatrician in Montreal, agrees. “In my practice, the average age for walking alone is 13 or 14 months,” he says.

And don’t worry if your baby takes a few steps one day, but crawls again the next. There’s no perfect timeline between a baby's first steps and walking independently.

“You need to have hundreds and hundreds of supported steps, holding someone’s hand or a piece of furniture, before you’re able to walk unsupported,” says Zahari. It can take several months.

It requires strength, coordination and balance for babies to learn to walk, and these are complex skills that require lots of building blocks. Tummy time is an important piece here, says Zahary, because it helps babies extend and strengthen their core, arm and leg muscles. Practicing tummy time from birth will help them sit, crawl, cruise and ultimately, stand.

Growth affects balance, too. “Babies are top-heavy, so their centre of gravity is just under their armpits as infants,” says Zahary. “As they grow, their center of gravity moves to their hips and pelvis, which allows them to develop balance.”

Neuromotor skills (how the brain and body work together) need to develop as well so that your baby can coordinate taking their first steps. “When all those systems mature, they’ll be ready to walk,” says Zahary.

Another factor that can be pretty important is a child’s temperament, says Zahary. “Kids who are naturally more cautious tend to be a little slower to walk because they feel very safe crawling, and standing up makes them feel insecure,” she says.

A number of developmental milestones usually precede your baby’s first steps, including pulling to stand and cruising.

Pulling to stand:

Between nine and 11 months, your baby may start trying to pull their body up to a standing position by holding onto something, such as a sofa or crib. This is one of the first early walking signs.

From 10 to 12 months, your baby may start cruising, which means they will stand up and hold onto a piece of furniture while they take a few steps. If you have a coffee table, now is the perfect time to make sure it doesn't have sharp edges.

Between 12 and 14 months, they may start to squat down and stand back up again. At this point, they may take a step or two when you hold them upright and gradually (or quickly, depending on the kid!) start walking on their own.

“The basic developmental mantra is ability and opportunity,” says Cummings. “They’re not going to walk until they have the ability, but they need the opportunity.” Hold their hands while they’re standing and give some loving encouragement.

You can encourage your baby to walk by placing the furniture so that your baby can hold onto one piece and move to another without obstacles in the way, or by putting toys on the couch rather than on the floor so that they pull themselves up to standing.

Activity centers that encourage standing to play, such as water tables, play kitchens and workbenches, are another good idea, says Zahary. A push toy that allows them to hold on while they walk, such as a play cart or lawnmower, also helps kids who are close to walking on their own get the hang of it (just make sure it’s used under supervision and away from stairs!).

Baby walkers that babies stand in and use their feet to push around have been banned in Canada since 2004 because they have led to many injuries. Plus, they don’t actually help babies learn to walk because they don’t allow them to practice all of the balance and strength skills they need for independent walking, say experts.

A push-style baby walker is a better option, and often includes learning features they can appreciate while sitting. If nothing else, these provide loads of fun indoor games and activities for early walkers when you're stuck inside. Plus, they're an engaging way to help your baby develop motor skills.

The versatile Skip Hop baby walker is our top pick. The 4-in-1 design includes seated, cruising, shopping cart and stroller functions for engaging play. There's a removable toy panel and a light-up musical keyboard with shapes, numbers and fun sound effects. It'll keep your little one entertained well into the toddler years.

Shoes don’t help babies learn to walk, says Cummings. Rather, your baby can go barefoot or wear non-slip socks or slippers around the house. When you are outside and need to protect those sweet feet, choose the right size footwear with flexible rubber soles for proper support.

After mastering crawling and scooting (sliding around on their bottom), walking will soon follow. Once your baby begins pulling themselves up on furniture and taking a few steps, which is known as cruising, they are well on their way to taking their first solo steps. Other signs to watch for include better balance when your baby is standing, and walking confidently with a push toy.

When it comes to baby milestones, it’s natural to compare your little one to other kids their age. But it’s a much better idea to check with your doctor, who can evaluate your child’s overall development, which includes gross and fine motor skills, language, and socialization. It’s generally about context, says Cummings.

If your child is 12 months old and shows no interest in crawling or pulling themselves up, the doctor may want to investigate. On the other hand, if a child is 15 months old and not walking alone yet but has met other milestones for crawling and cruising, it’s usually not a cause for concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that a year is the right amount of time to watch a baby to see if they take an interest in early walking.

Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist, particularly if your baby is getting close to 18 months. The physiotherapist may check for a variety of things, including decreased flexibility on one side of the body, which could be a sign of orthopedic or neurological issues. It could be something as simple as your child has a bigger-than-average head, which means it might take them a bit longer to find their balance.

“Every once in a while, I’ll see a child who raises some concerns, but mostly it’s about providing reassurance to parents and giving strategies to encourage movement,” says Zahary.

About our experts: Elizabeth Zahary is a paediatric physiotherapist at Summerside Children’s and Sport Physiotherapy in Edmonton. Carl Cummings is a Montreal-based paediatrician.