Ask an Expert: When Do Babies Learn to Walk with Brooke Boruff, OTR/L

Brooke Boruff, founder of Infant Insights, lends us her expertise as a pediatric occupational therapist and mom who specializes in baby development.

Among the many milestones in your baby’s first year or two of life, walking is undoubtedly one of the biggest. Your baby’s first steps signal a huge shift toward independence. It’s a major developmental milestone that all parents eagerly await because it bridges the gap between infancy and toddlerhood and opens up a whole new chapter. Here’s everything to know about this major milestone:

What age do babies learn to walk?

Like most childhood milestones, there’s a fairly wide range for what’s considered a typical age to begin walking. Babies usually learn to walk between 11 to 15 months of age. Every baby develops at their own pace, and there are many mini milestones that occur prior to a baby’s first steps.

What are the stages of learning to walk?

Mini milestones that occur before your baby’s first steps are:

• Crawling

• Pulling to stand

• Cruising along furniture

• Cruising between nearby surfaces

• Free standing without support

• Standing up from the floor without support

• Squatting

• Using a push walker or push toy

• Transitioning from standing to the floor with control

What are some signs that my baby is on the cusp of walking?

It’s an exciting time when your baby is so close to taking their first steps! If they can stand up in the center of a room without support, free their hands often while standing, and freely stand for prolonged periods of time, these are signs that your baby is about to begin walking.

When should I be concerned that my child is not walking?

If your baby is not showing any signs of walking by around 14 months, you may consider speaking to your healthcare provider. Signs of walking include cruising along furniture, free standing without support, and pulling to stand on objects. Although some babies may be late walkers and not take their first steps until 17 or 18 months, it never hurts to check in with their pediatrician to address any concerns you may have.

Are shoes more help or hindrance for beginner walkers?

When in doubt, barefoot is best! Being barefoot allows your baby to develop the necessary muscle strength in the foot and ankle for walking. There are exceptions for babies that have low muscle tone, but for the typically developing infant, barefoot is best. During community walking, it’s best to choose a minimalist shoe (like Little Love Bug) that aids in only protecting the foot. 

What are the best outdoor shoes for beginner walkers?

There are really two categories of shoes for babies: minimalist and non-minimalist. Minimalist shoes, which mimic a barefoot feel, are best for typical developing infants who show no signs of weakness in the ankle and foot (ankles are strong and typically in line with the foot). A non-minimalist shoe is a shoe that may have more support. These shoes have harder soles, are not flexible, and may extend up on the ankle for added support. These shoes are helpful for babies with low muscle tone in the ankles and feet. These shoes are also often recommended for babies who have ankle pronation, meaning that their ankles are weaker and not often aligned with the feet.

Why does my baby have bow legs?

When a baby first walks, you will see their legs wide, the knees slightly bowed, and the arms upright in a “high guard" position. As the muscles in the lower body develop, your baby will walk less in a “bow-legged” position. The “high guard” position helps your baby maintain balance in early first steps, and will not be noted as your baby becomes more proficient in walking. You can also expect lots of falls when your baby starts to walk and figure out how to coordinate their body in this new bipedal position.

What are some red flags I should watch out for before my baby begins walking?

Before your baby takes their first steps, they should be reaching those mini milestones to support future walking skills. Also pay attention to the positioning of their ankles and feet, making sure they are in line to support independent first steps. If there are any concerns with mini milestones or if your baby is having difficulty maintaining proper positioning of the ankle and foot, it is recommended to seek advice from their healthcare provider. 

What are some reasons for late walking?

There are many reasons for late walking, including increased container time (which is usually a stander), low muscle tone, fear of falling, or decreased exposure to positions that support walking. 

What if my baby never crawled?

When it comes to crawling, there is plenty of debate as to whether or not reaching this milestone affects future milestones. Crawling develops many foundational skills needed for walking. Skills like coordination, balance, strength, and transitioning skills are just a few. If a baby skips crawling, they may not have a super strong core or lower body, which may affect walking skills. On the flip side, some babies who skip crawling will walk with no problems at all. Regardless, it’s important to offer positions that encourage crawling prior to walking to ensure that developmental foundations are being laid.

What if my baby refuses to walk on their own?

There are many different ways to encourage your baby to take independent first steps, including: 

• Placing them to stand with their back against a surface and a toy in hand

• Having them walk toward an exciting object with an item in each hand

• Practicing falling safely while singing “Ring-Around the Rosie” 

These 3 exercises are often just what a baby needs to increase strength, balance, and confidence needed for walking.

Are there toys that can help with walking?

After your baby is pulling to stand and cruising very well along furniture, a push walker that does not travel too quickly can be used to encourage proper alignment of their legs, feet, and ankles. To help with this, wrap rubber bands around the wheels or put ankle weights in the basket to keep the toy from traveling too quickly.Push walkers are multi-functional and can help give your baby coordination practice and confidence in this new upright standing position.