Written by Sarah Mansell Published on 16th January 2022

This blog was updated on 12/03/24

When it comes to your baby’s development, you’ll likely be watching out for signs that they’re growing up. That first smile, the first time they make eye contact, the first time they work out how to start moving themselves around – every little moment feels like a giant leap, right? 

One of the biggest milestones in the first year of your baby’s life is walking. If you’ve seen signs your baby is ready to start taking steps, like pulling themselves up onto their feet with the help of whatever object is nearby, you might be wondering when those little legs will start doing their thing.

In this blog, we’ll look at each developmental stage from 4 months onwards, as your little one prepares to take to their feet.

Baby’s milestones

Every parent will want to ensure their baby is developing at the right pace. The CDC’s list of milestones (1) is a good place to start to get an idea of what behavior your baby should be showing at what age. The milestones were decided by experts, and based on existing data and literature. The resulting list shows developmental milestones by age from 2 months to 5 years, with 75% of children (2) expected to reach these milestones by or around the given age. 

But – and this is really important – don’t panic if your baby hasn’t reached a certain milestone by that exact age. Being a little behind doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them, and most children will catch up and continue developing normally (3). That said, if you think there may be a developmental issue, it’s always best to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

So, walking: here’s what you can expect to see as your baby grows.

The learning stages

Just like with any life skill, lots of learning comes before mastering it. So before your little one will be up and walking, they will probably have moved through these stages first. 

Around 4 months: Sitting and reaching

When they’re sitting up, your baby should be able to hold their head up and look around – they should be able to do this when they’re on their front, too. They’ll be curious about what’s around them, and start reaching for toys nearby. 

Around 6 months: Rolling

Learning to walk begins with rolling over. It shows that your baby is building muscle strength and also shows that they’re thinking about moving themselves intentionally. They will likely push themselves up using their arms when they’re on their front, into a crawling position.

Around 9 months: Trying to stand

At this stage, your baby has gained strength and should be able to sit up without support, and use whatever’s to hand – furniture, a coffee table, your leg – to pull themselves to their feet. They might begin crawling, too, but anytime between 9-12 months is normal so don’t worry if they’re not on the move yet. 

Around 12 months: Standing and crawling

By this point, your little one will be more mobile, sitting and standing by themselves, and either crawling or scooting around on their bottom. Keep the floors clear – moving around is a novelty, so they’ll want to explore every nook and cranny. 

Around 18 months: Walking

Your baby is a toddler! They should be walking unaided by now, and can even do stairs when you’re holding their hand. They might start climbing on and off furniture, too – there’s a whole world to explore, and it starts with the stuff they couldn’t reach before. 

What should I expect when my baby starts showing signs of walking?

Imagine learning a brand new skill. Now imagine not being able to ask for help. This is what babies are going through while they’re learning to walk, so it can be a bit of a slow process. Expect trial and error, and a few little bumps. You can help your baby learn safely by making sure their surroundings are a suitable walking aid! 

Standing up

Move that cup of coffee off the coffee table, because your baby will start pulling themselves up onto anything they can get their hands on. Chairs, shelves, the sides of a cot, radiators. You name it, they’ll pull on it. They’re building leg muscles and getting stronger. 

Balancing baby

Gradually they’ll start letting go of the furniture and practice balancing. You can expect a lot of falling on bums in this phase of development. 

Give them a hand

Give your little one a hand by holding them gently while they stand. It might just be a hand on the back so they can practice balancing. 

Going it alone

It could take a few days or a few months, but eventually, your little one will get more confident and start walking on their own. 

How can I help my baby learn to walk?

No need for baby boot camp – they’ll learn to walk when they’re ready, and as we said at the beginning, the exact time frame can vary. Being a few weeks behind their peers is likely nothing to worry about, and your little one will catch up in their own time. But, as we always advise, speak to your doctor or pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s development. If you want to give them a bit of a head start, there are a few things you can try. 

Make it fun

Learning is better when it’s fun, right? So make sure your baby enjoys using their new skills. Count how long they can stand up for and praise their efforts, encourage them to walk with you or to you, and show them how to bend their knees and sit down again from a standing position. Tell them how well they’re doing with each step.

Child-proof your home

Toddlers are curious little creatures, and you know what they say about curiosity. So make sure any hazards are out of your baby’s reach. That means hot drinks and (and ornaments you’d prefer not to get broken) being kept away from low surfaces like coffee tables or sideboards that your little wanderer might grab onto. Some pieces of furniture are light enough that even an 18-month-old could pull them over, so it’s worth investing in safety fittings to secure them to the wall. Child locks are also useful for drawers and cupboards you need to keep baby away from. 

A word on baby walkers

You’ve probably heard that baby walkers are discouraged – but if you hadn’t, here’s your reminder. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against their use (3). They can actually delay your baby’s walking progress, as well as putting your little one in danger. A child in a walker runs the risk of rolling down stairs or even into water, or using the frame as a boost to reach unsafe heights. 

Should I be concerned that my baby hasn’t started walking?

If your baby isn’t walking independently by 18 months, it’s best to talk to a professional to make sure everything’s OK (5). It doesn’t mean there’s definitely something wrong – some kids do just take a little longer than others, so try not to worry. Your doctor or pediatrician can advise you on how to help your little one learn and develop, whether that’s through activities you can do at home, or physical therapy (6). 

In the case of a developmental delay, there will be signs before your baby is 18 months old in most cases (6). Don’t wait is the advice of medical professionals – speak to someone as soon as you have a concern, as the sooner these things are spotted, the sooner any issue can be identified. You might be tempted to ‘wait and see’ if things resolve themselves, but experts advise against this approach, as it’s important that your baby gets all the help they need to meet their milestones. 

Baby steps

Watching your little one learn to walk is so exciting, so treasure it. It really is like watching Bambi. Allow them to get going at their own pace and try not to worry about what the other babies are up to. 

References

  1. CDC’s Developmental Milestones, CDC, June 2023

  2. Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools, Jennifer M. Zubler, MD; Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD; Michelle M. Macias, MD; Toni M. Whitaker, MD; Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN; Jane K. Squires, PhD; Julie A. Pajek, PhD; Rebecca B. Wolf, MA; Karnesha S. Slaughter, MPH; Amber S. Broughton, MPH; Krysta L. Gerndt, MPH; Bethany J. Mlodoch; Paul H. Lipkin, MD, American Academy of Pediatrics, February 2022 

  3. Developmental Delay in Children, Cleveland Clinic, March 2023 

  4. Baby Walkers: A Dangerous Choice, HealthyChildren.org, August 2022 

  5. When to seek help, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

  6. Your child doesn't walk yet, BabyCenter