When Do Babies Start Walking?  

Introduction

The moment a baby takes their first independent steps is often a sentimental and memorable experience for families. Walking is an important developmental milestone that offers important clues about child’s development¹. However, the timing of this milestone can vary widely among children. Some babies begin walking earlier, while others may take more time as they gradually develop the necessary motor skills².

Understanding when do babies start walking can help caregivers set realistic expectations and recognise normal variations in development. Observing a baby’s progress through earlier milestones such as sitting, crawling, and standing can provide useful insight into how walking skills gradually emerge. 

At What Age Do Babies Start Walking?

Babies usually begin walking independently between 8 and 18 months of age^1,2, although the exact timing differs for each child. Most children take their first steps around their first birthday, but it is also common for walking to start earlier or later within this developmental window².

Research on motor development has shown that there is a wide range of normal variation in the age at which babies start walking. Factors such as opportunities for movement, temperament, and environmental influences can also play a role when a baby starts walking^2,3.

Rather than focusing on a specific age, it is helpful for caregivers to observe steady progress in motor skills. Babies typically move through stages such as pulling to stand, cruising along furniture, and briefly standing without support before they begin walking independently¹.

Stages Before Walking

Before babies begin walking independently, they usually develop a bunch of important motor skills that help build strength, balance, and coordination. These stages may occur in different sequences or timelines for each child, but they generally reflect gradual progress toward independent movement^1,2,3.

• Tummy time and head control 
  In the early months, spending time on the tummy helps babies strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. This foundation supports later movements such as rolling, sitting, and crawling⁴. 
• Sitting without support 
  Babies learn to sit independently, which is an essential milestone for standing and walking^1,2. The median age for achieving sitting without support is 5.9 months².
• Hands and knees crawling 
  Most babies begin crawling in the second half of the first year. However, the WHO study also noted that some children may use other forms of movement like bottom shuffle and crawling on the stomach².
• Pulling to stand 
  Babies often start pulling themselves up to a standing position using furniture or a caregiver’s hands^1,2. 
• Walking with support 
  Once standing becomes more comfortable, babies may begin taking sideways steps while holding onto furniture. This is known as cruising and is a common sign that independent walking may develop soon³.
• Standing briefly without support 
  Before taking their first steps, many babies practise standing for short periods without holding onto support. This indicates growing confidence and control over posture³.

Signs Baby Will Walk Soon

Many parents look for signs that their baby may be getting ready to take their first steps. While the timing can vary, certain behavioural and physical changes may indicate that independent walking is approaching. 

1. Standing Briefly Without Support 

Babies who begin standing on their own for short periods are progressing through an important stage that typically occurs before independent walking^2,3.

2. Walking With Support 

Moving sideways along furniture or taking steps while holding a caregiver’s hands is commonly observed before independent walking^2,3. 

3. Taking a Few Independent Steps 

Some babies may start by taking one or two steps on their own before sitting down or falling. Early walking attempts and frequent falls are a normal part of gaining experience⁵. 

4. Increased Movement and Position Changes

Babies who frequently move around and explore are actively practising motor skills. Repeated movement experiences contribute to gradual improvement in walking ability⁵. 

If the baby is progressively achieving the milestones mentioned in the stages before walking, this is a good sign that the babies motor function and growth are normal and will achieve walking soon^1,2,3.

Recognising these signs baby will walk soon can help caregivers provide encouragement and create a safe environment for practice. 

Walking Style in Babies

When babies start walking, initially their movements may look unsteady or different from older children. This is usually a part of normal development, as balance, posture, and coordination continue to improve with practice³. A typical early walking pattern includes⁵: 

1. Walking with a Wider Stance

New walkers often take short, wide steps and spend less time with both feet on the ground. This wider base reflects reduced balance control during the early stages of walking. With practice, steps become longer, faster and narrower. 

2. Arms Held Up or Out to the Sides 

Many babies walk with their arms raised or stretched outward. This posture helps them steady themselves, over several weeks their arms lower and swing. 

3. Frequent Falls or Sudden Sitting 

It is common for babies to take a few steps and then sit down or lose balance. These small falls are a normal part of learning and help them understand how it reflects a natural process for gaining motor experience. 

4. Uneven or Short Steps 

Beginners may take short or irregular steps, which are less energy-efficient, with the hips and knees flexed and a less upright posture. Over time, walking usually becomes smoother and more coordinated. 

5. Normal Variations 

Early walking patterns may also include flat-footed or toe-first landings, which gradually transition to a more mature heel-to-toe pattern with practice^5,6. Some toddlers may show variations such as inward or outward-pointing feet. In-toeing (Refers to a walking pattern in which the feet turn inward due to rotational variations of the lower limb) or Out-toeing (Occurs when the feet point outward during walking and may be associated with external rotational differences at the hip, tibia or femur), which are commonly observed during gait development, usually improve with growth⁶.

Reasons for Late Walking in Babies

Babies begin walking at different ages, and a slight delay does not always indicate a problem. However, understanding the possible reasons for late walking in babies can help caregivers recognise when additional support or medical advice may be helpful. 

• Premature Birth: Babies born prematurely may achieve motor milestones later than full-term babies⁷.
• Differences in muscle strength or tone: Some babies may take longer to walk due persistent hypotonia or hypertonia, which can be an alarming feature if not addressed⁸. 
• Limited opportunities for movement: Providing opportunities for movement, such as floor play and practising standing or cruising, supports motor development and helps babies gain experience needed for walking^1,3,4,5.
• Developmental or neurological conditions: In certain situations, delayed walking may be linked to broader developmental concerns that affect muscle control, coordination, or learning. Certain neurological, neuromuscular and developmental conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, epilepsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder may be associated with delays in achieving motor milestones⁸. 

Early evaluation can help identify any underlying issues and guide appropriate support. 

How Parents Can Encourage Their Babies to Walk?

Caregivers can support walking by giving babies safe opportunities to move, explore, and practise new skills. Gentle encouragement and patience often make a bigger difference than trying to rush the process. 

• Allow plenty of supervised floor play: Giving babies time and space to move freely, crawl and explore helps them build muscle strength, balance and coordination needed for walking. Regular active play and movement allow babies to practise new skills and gradually improve their walking ability^1,3.
• Encourage supported walking practice: Allowing babies to hold onto safe furniture or an adult’s hands can help them practise early walking movements^1,3.
• Create a safe space for exploration: Keeping floors clear of obstacles and baby proofing the house can make it easier for babies to move around and practise new movements^1,2,3. 
• Offer encouragement without pressure:Offering praise and staying nearby while a baby practises walking can help support their efforts as they learn new skills³.

Do Baby Walkers and Walking Toys Help?

Baby walkers are devices that allow infants to move while supported in a seated frame. Although some caregivers believe walkers or other walking toys help babies learn to walk earlier, but actually these devices do not promote independent walking in babies and may delay normal motor skill development. Also, while in a walker, babies tend to walk on their toes, and this pattern can continue later when they start walking independently⁹.   

Moreover, the American Academy of Paediatrics has raised significant safety concerns and has recommended restrictions on the manufacture and sale of mobile infant walkers because of the risk of serious injuries and developmental impact¹⁰.

Providing safe floor time and opportunities for natural movement is generally considered a more supportive approach for learning to walk. 

When to Consult a Doctor?

Although babies reach walking milestones at different ages, certain signs may suggest the need for medical evaluation. Monitoring developmental progress and seeking timely advice can help identify concerns early. 

Caregivers may consider consulting a doctor if: 

• A baby is not attempting to stand with support by around 12 months 
• Independent walking has not started by 18 months of age 
• There is noticeable stiffness, floppiness, or weakness in the legs 
• The baby shows persistent preference for using one side of the body 
• Loss of previously achieved motor skills (developmental regression) is observed 
• Walking attempts are associated with significant pain or unusual limb positioning 
• There are delays in other developmental areas such as speech or social interaction^3,5,11.

Conclusion

Learning to walk is an exciting developmental milestone that reflects a baby’s growing strength, balance, and confidence. While many children take their first independent steps between 9 and 18 months, the exact timing can vary widely. Understanding when do babies start walking and recognising the stages that lead up to walking can help caregivers support healthy motor development. 

Providing safe opportunities for movement, encouragement, and patience allows babies to develop walking skills at their own pace. If concerns arise about delayed milestones or unusual movement patterns, seeking medical advice can help ensure timely guidance and support. 

Also Read: Breaking Down the Baby’s Growth Stages | 0-5 Years 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important Milestones: Your Baby by One Year [Internet]. CDC. 2023 [cited 2026 Mar 17]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/1-year.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-1yr.html 

2. World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO motor development study: windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2006 Apr;450:86-95. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16817682/ 

3. Learning to walk [Internet]. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. [cited 2026 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/learning-to-walk 

4.  Hewitt L, Kerr E, Stanley RM, Okely AD. Tummy time and infant health outcomes: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2020 Jul;146(1):e20192168. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32371428/  

5. Johnston L, Eastwood D, Jacobs B. Variations in normal gait development. Paediatrics and Child Health, 2014, 24.5: 204-207.Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751722214000535  

6. Nourai MH, Fadaei B, Rizi AM. In-toeing and out-toeing gait conservative treatment; hip anteversion and retroversion: 10-year follow-up. J Res Med Sci. 2015 Nov;20(11):1084-7 Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4755096/?utm_source 

7. Spittle AJ, Doyle LW, Boyd RN. A systematic review of the clinimetric properties of neuromotor assessments for preterm infants during the first year of life. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008 Apr;50(4):254-66. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18190538/ 

8. Khan I, Leventhal BL. Developmental Delay. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562231/ 

9. Baby walkers and exercise jumpers: why they’re best avoided [Internet]. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. [cited 2026 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/baby-walkers  

10. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention. Injuries associated with infant walkers. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):790-2. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11533353/ 

11. Noritz GH, Murphy NA. Motor delays: early identification and evaluation. Pediatrics. 2013 Jun;131(6):e2016-27. Available from: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/6/e2016/31072/Motor-Delays-Early-Identification-and-Evaluation

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