When Do Babies Start Walking: Stages, Milestones & Tips

• Introduction
• Walking Before Walking
• When Do Babies Start Walking?
• Stages Of Learning to Walk:
• Signs Baby Will Walk Soon:
• How To Make Baby Walk:
• Creating a Safe Environment:
• When to Visit Your Healthcare Provider:
• Key Takeaways:
• FAQs:
• Message From SuperBottoms:

The first smile, the first word, the first bite of solid food, and the first crawl - the first year of your newborn baby is full of many 'firsts.' However, one of the most awaited first for many parents is when their baby starts to walk and the baby's first steps. All children are different and achieve their milestones at various ages—some start walking before their first birthday, while some take a little longer. If you wonder when babies start walking and how to help them walk independently, this article will help you understand this milestone better.

Walking Before Walking

There is a phase, often long and occasionally frustrating, when babies are not yet walking but are taking a step or two and struggling to maintain balance. During this time, it's crucial to focus on building your baby's confidence rather than fixating on when they will start walking. This approach will help them develop a sense of independence early in life. So, before you start wondering about when babies start walking, focus on making them feel confident and ready for this exciting new stage.

When your little one is in this phase, you can play a crucial role in helping them take their first supported steps. Walk with them, applaud their efforts, give them a reassuring hug, and make them feel confident about those first few steps. It's likely that your baby will stumble a few times while learning to walk, so consider using Knee Sleeves for added safety. Some parents also find it helpful to protect their baby's elbows with knee sleeves to prevent scrapes. Remember, your support and encouragement are key during this exciting phase.

When Do Babies Start Walking?

And then comes the stage when your baby starts walking! So, to answer the question of when do babies start walking, babies usually start walking between 9 – 18 months of age. But do not forget that all babies are different and achieve milestones at their own pace, so avoid stressing about when babies walk or how to teach them to walk. Therefore, it is essential not to rush your baby or pressure them into walking till that age. But, if your baby does not start walking by 18 months, you may want to discuss it with their paediatrician.

When your baby starts walking by holding furniture and other things, the cruising stage usually begins around 8 – 9 months. This indicates that the fun stage of walking is about to begin. Let's understand the learning stages to know at what age baby start walking.

Stages of Learning to Walk:

Certainly! Here's a table summarising the baby walking stages and understanding at what age baby start walking :

This table outlines the progression of motor skills development in babies as they learn to walk. Remember that these baby walking stages are approximate, and each child may reach these milestones at slightly different times when baby starts to walk.

Important Note: This is when they begin to gain independence and explore their surroundings by moving toward things they want to touch, feel, eat, or explore. Ensure your baby's knees and elbows are protected with SuperBottoms Baby Knee Sleeves.

Signs Baby Will Walk Soon:

If you need clarification about the signs baby will walk soon, here is a checklist to help you prepare when baby starts to walk.

1. Pulling Up: If your baby starts pulling themselves up to stand while holding onto furniture or your hands, it's a sign that they're building strength and balance in preparation for newborn baby walking.

2. Cruising: When your baby begins to cruise along furniture, moving from one piece to another while holding on for support, it shows they're exploring their mobility and getting ready to take independent steps.

3. Standing Alone: If your baby can stand without support for short periods, even if it's just for a few seconds, they're likely gaining confidence in their ability to balance on their own.

4. Walking with Assistance: Some babies may start taking steps while holding onto their hands or using a push toy for support. This indicates that they're testing out their leg muscles and coordination.

5. Improved Balance: You may notice your baby's balance improving as it becomes more stable while sitting or standing. This increased stability is a crucial skill for newborn baby walking.

6. Interest in Standing Activities: If your baby shows a keen interest in activities involving standing, such as playing with toys or trying to reach for objects while standing, it suggests they're eager to explore their environment from a different perspective.

7. Increased Leg Strength: Your baby may demonstrate increased leg strength by pushing themselves up from a crawling position more frequently or bearing more weight on their legs while being held upright.

Remember that every baby develops at their own pace, so don't worry if your baby doesn't exhibit all these signs simultaneously or in the same order. If you have concerns about your baby's development, consulting with your paediatrician is always best.

How To Make Baby Walk:

1. Tempting Trail: Lay out a trail of your baby's favourite toys to entice them to move. You can also play chase with them, allowing them to follow you.

2. Push Toys: Opt for push toys like wagons or push cars instead of traditional infant walkers. These toys help develop leg muscles and practice walking skills safely.

3. From a Distance: Resist the urge to hover too closely. Standing at a distance encourages your baby to take independent steps and boosts their confidence when you applaud their efforts.

4. Applaud and Comfort: Celebrate both successes and failures. Applaud your baby's attempts and comfort them with hugs and cuddles after falls, fostering a positive attitude towards learning.

5. Create Challenges: Introduce challenges to motivate your baby. For instance, please encourage them to take more steps by gradually increasing the distance they need to walk towards you.

6. Extend a Hand: Offer your support and encouragement by reaching out. Your presence and affection will motivate your newborn baby walking endeavours.

Important Note: SuperBottoms Padded Underwear offers a safe environment for babies starting to walk, with a pull-up style and potty training features. With 3 layers of 100% cotton padding, it ensures leak-free fit and comfort. The semi-waterproof outer layer keeps your little one clean and dry, while the larger padding area enhances absorbency.

Creating a Safe Environment:

The culture of baby-proofing our houses has yet to be very popular in India, but it is wise to do so. Especially for nuclear families, it can be challenging to keep an eye on babies all the time. Thus, it is vital to create a safe environment for your baby to learn to walk while keeping you assured of their safety. The following points need to be kept in mind to create a safe environment –

• Make sure there are no sharp edges on any furniture.
• Install a baby gate in the kitchen and staircases accessible to your baby.
• Secure the furniture, drawers, or storage shelves that can topple if your baby pulls them to stand up.
• SuperBottoms Freesize UNO Cloth Diapers can also contribute to creating a safe environment for your walking baby. These cloth diapers are designed to be soft, breathable, and gentle on your baby's skin, reducing the risk of irritation or discomfort while they're on the move. By integrating SuperBottoms Newborn Cloth Diapers into your baby's daily routine, you can ensure they stay dry and comfortable, supporting their overall well-being as they navigate this exciting milestone of learning to walk.

When to Visit Your Healthcare Provider:

If your baby hasn't started walking by 18 months, consult their paediatrician. Also, seek advice if they keep falling after walking independently for a while, walk on tiptoes for an extended period, or don't start climbing stairs. Remember, walking is a significant milestone, and with guidance, it can be a fun learning experience for your baby.

Key Takeaways:

1• Babies start walking independently between 9 to 15 months, but individual timelines vary.

2• From rolling to cruising, babies go through stages like sitting, crawling, and standing before walking.

3• Offer patience, encouragement, and a safe environment to aid your baby's walking development.

FAQs:

Q1. What are the stages of learning to walk?

Ans. The stages include rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, holding hands, cruising, and walking independently.

Q2. How to make baby walk?

Ans. You can support your baby's development by providing a safe environment for exploration, offering encouragement, and assisting when needed.

Q3. In which month baby start walking?

Ans. Babies usually begin walking independently between 9 to 15 months of age, although this can vary widely.

Message From SuperBottoms

Hi there, new parents! No matter where you are around the world or in India, SuperBottoms ensures your kids are using the best and safest products. SuperBottoms offers the best cloth diapers, which are completely safe and gentle for your baby, DryFeel langots for diaper-free time, padded underwear for potty training your kids, and period underwear for women. These products suit your baby's delicate skin at any time of year. SuperBottoms is a must-have product for you and your child whether you live in Canada, Kuwait, the United States, Qatar, Hawaii, Bahrain, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, or the Philippines. SuperBottoms products are also available on Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, FirstCry, Zepto, Swiggy and Blinkit.

Reference Links:

1. healthline.com/health/baby/signs-baby-will-walk-soon
2. webmd.com/baby/when-does-a-baby-start-walking