When a Child Can Walk Again
These are the steps your child may take on the path to becoming a confident walker. Learning to walk on her own involves much more than simply putting one footling foot in forepart of the other.
These typical ages are just a guideline. Some children walk at eight months, while others may not walk until they're xviii months. See means to encourage your baby to walk in our milestones article. If you're worried about your child's walking progress, speak to your health visitor.
Baby
Birth to two months
Your newborn has a walking reflex. If you hold her upright on your lap, supporting her head, you'll experience her trying to use her legs as if she'southward walking. This primitive reflex is her basic instincts boot in and it disappears at effectually vi weeks of age (Sheridan 2014).
Three to four months
Your baby can practise mini-push ups, where she lies on her tummy and lifts her head and chest off the basis, using her arms for support (Sheridan 2014). This builds her upper-torso muscles, which are crucial for walking. If you put her anxiety on a firm surface she can button downwardly through her legs (CDC 2018).
Vi to nine months
Your baby has started to bounce upwards and down when she's held in a standing position (Sheridan 2014). This motion helps to build her leg strength in the coming weeks and months.
At around seven months your baby will exist sitting on her own without your help (Sheridan 2014). This develops her neck strength, head control, remainder and coordination, which are important skills for walking.
Past ix months most babies tin crawl, and some can pull themselves up to continuing and stay there (CDC 2018). Some skip crawling and move direct to walking.
Quick tip: Now'south a good fourth dimension to childproof your home, earlier your baby becomes mobile.
Nine to 12 months
Your baby is really starting to motility! This is when some babies take their first steps (NHS 2016). She can pull herself up to a standing position with the aid of a sturdy object, such equally a sofa or table leg so cruise round the room (Sheridan 2014). She'll exist able to taking sliding steps while holding on to something for support (Sheridan 2014). If you hold out your paw she'll be able to take it and walk alongside you.
Toddler
12 to 14 months
The first heady solo steps may be taken, though it'southward normal for toddlers to walk whatever time between ix months and 17 and a one-half months (Sheridan 2014). Your toddler will take uneven steps with her anxiety wide autonomously and agree her artillery outstretched. This helps her to go on her residuum and stay on her feet.
14 to xv months
Near toddlers can walk at this age. Your kid may be able to start off on her own only she'll all the same fall often and bump into things (Sheridan 2014).
Enquire for advice if... Your toddler isn't walking past fourteen months or fifteen months. Mention it to your health company or doctor if yous're worried. But be reassured that it'due south still well within the normal range of development (CDC 2018).
If your baby is a bottom shuffler, she's probable to walk a flake afterward than if she crawled (Sheridan 2014).
16 months
With your help, your toddler tin can now go upward and downwards stairs, although she may adopt to come down on her lesser (Sheridan 2014)!
18 months
Your toddler volition probably be walking well past now, without needing to hold her arms out to balance. She may like dancing to music too, fifty-fifty if it is a little out of step with the trounce!
Ask for help if... Your kid isn't walking by at present (Harding 2014). All children should be walking past 18 months, so if your child isn't, speak to your GP or health company.
nineteen to 24 months
Your toddler may increase her speed to a run and she can start and stop easily as well every bit being able to move around an obstacle (Sheridan 2014). She can also hold something in her easily while she walks.
Soon subsequently her second birthday, she may learn to jump from a low step on to the flooring. She may also first to kick a big brawl (NHS 2016).
25 to 30 months
Your child can confidently walk up, but perhaps not downward, stairs while holding on to a rails or wall but she'll need to put both anxiety on the step (Sheridan 2014). Comfortable with running, she'due south ready to play a game of tag or band a-ring o'roses with you.
She probably loves playing on easy climbing equipment at the playground or at plant nursery, but make certain you stay close past (Sheridan 2014).
31 to 36 months
Your child can jump up and down with her feet together (Sheridan 2014), and move left and right.
By the time she'southward three, she should be able to walk up and downward the stairs (Sheridan 2014) with 1 human foot on each pace, even if she'south conveying her favourite teddy in ane arm. She can run easily and climb well too (CDC 2018).
Preschooler
Four years
Your kid is learning to residuum and hop on one foot, and prefers using one human foot over the other. She tin can ride a tricycle with ease and can run on her tiptoes (Sheridan 2014).
Did yous know? The speed at which a baby learns a new skill is ofttimes inherited from her parents (Harding 2014). If you or your partner walked early or belatedly, and so there is a risk your baby will be the same (Harding 2014).
Find other milestones to look out for in your baby's first year with our baby development video.
References
CDC 2018. Important milestones. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov. [Accessed June 2018]
NHS 2016. Birth to five development timeline. NHS Choices tool. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2018]
Harding Thousand. 2014. Delay in Walking. Patient Uk. world wide web.patient.co.britain [Accessed June 2018]
Sheridan M. 2014. From Birth to Five years: Children's Developmental Progress. London: Routledge
Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1050148/your-childs-walking-timeline