(http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/development/walking/)
Learning to walk is one of the most important achievements in your baby's life, as it's big a step towards independence.
As he moves from standing, to tottering around unaided, to running, skipping and jumping confidently, he'll be leaving babyhood behind.
WHEN WILL MY BABY BE ABLE TO WALK?
Over the course of your baby's first year he will gradually gain coordination and muscle strength, and learn to sit, roll over, and crawl. Your baby will then probably move on to pulling himself up. He may be able to stand holding on to something when he's between six and 10 months.
From then on it's a matter of gaining confidence and balance. Most babies take their first steps by their first birthday. By the time they're 15 months old most toddlers are walking unaided, though often with uneven steps.
Try not to worry if your baby takes a little longer. Some children don't walk until they are 17 or 18 months old. Babies who bottom-shuffle tend to walk later than babies who crawl.
From then on it's a matter of gaining confidence and balance. Most babies take their first steps by their first birthday. By the time they're 15 months old most toddlers are walking unaided, though often with uneven steps.
Try not to worry if your baby takes a little longer. Some children don't walk until they are 17 or 18 months old. Babies who bottom-shuffle tend to walk later than babies who crawl.
HOW WILL MY BABY LEARN TO WALK?
Newborn to two months
From birth, your baby has the reflex to brace his legs against a surface he feels under his feet. If you hold your newborn upright on your lap, supporting his head, you'll feel him trying to use his legs. He's not trying to walk, it's just his instincts kicking in. His legs aren't nearly strong enough for him to even stand. This reflex will disappear after a couple of months.
Five months to 10 months
By the time your baby is about five months old, if you let him balance his feet on your thighs, he'll bounce up and down. Bouncing will be a favourite activity over the next couple of months.
Many babies love jumping up and down in their door bouncer. If you have a door bouncer limit the time your baby spends in it to three 15-minute sessions a day, at the most.
As your baby learns to roll over, sit and crawl his muscles will continue to strengthen. Between eight and 10 months he will probably start trying to pull himself up to stand while holding onto furniture. If you prop him up next to the sofa, he'll hang on for dear life.
As your baby gets better at standing over the next few weeks, he'll start to cruise (moving around upright while holding onto furniture). He may then feel confident enough to let go of any support and stand unaided. Once your baby is ready to let go of the furniture, he may be able to take steps when you hold his hands. Your baby may even stoop to pick up a toy when standing.
Nine months to one year
At nine or 10 months your baby will begin to work out how to bend his knees and learn to sit after standing. This is harder than you might think!
By 11 months your baby will probably be able to stand without support, stoop, and squat. By 12 months he may walk while gripping your hand, though he may not take his first steps alone for a little while longer. Most babies make those early strides on tiptoe with their feet turned outward.
At 13 months, your baby may be walking on his own, but probably a bit unsteadily. If your baby still hasn't stopped cruising, it just means walking on his own is going to take a little longer. Some children don't walk until they are 17 or 18 months old.
From birth, your baby has the reflex to brace his legs against a surface he feels under his feet. If you hold your newborn upright on your lap, supporting his head, you'll feel him trying to use his legs. He's not trying to walk, it's just his instincts kicking in. His legs aren't nearly strong enough for him to even stand. This reflex will disappear after a couple of months.
Five months to 10 months
By the time your baby is about five months old, if you let him balance his feet on your thighs, he'll bounce up and down. Bouncing will be a favourite activity over the next couple of months.
Many babies love jumping up and down in their door bouncer. If you have a door bouncer limit the time your baby spends in it to three 15-minute sessions a day, at the most.
As your baby learns to roll over, sit and crawl his muscles will continue to strengthen. Between eight and 10 months he will probably start trying to pull himself up to stand while holding onto furniture. If you prop him up next to the sofa, he'll hang on for dear life.
As your baby gets better at standing over the next few weeks, he'll start to cruise (moving around upright while holding onto furniture). He may then feel confident enough to let go of any support and stand unaided. Once your baby is ready to let go of the furniture, he may be able to take steps when you hold his hands. Your baby may even stoop to pick up a toy when standing.
Nine months to one year
At nine or 10 months your baby will begin to work out how to bend his knees and learn to sit after standing. This is harder than you might think!
By 11 months your baby will probably be able to stand without support, stoop, and squat. By 12 months he may walk while gripping your hand, though he may not take his first steps alone for a little while longer. Most babies make those early strides on tiptoe with their feet turned outward.
At 13 months, your baby may be walking on his own, but probably a bit unsteadily. If your baby still hasn't stopped cruising, it just means walking on his own is going to take a little longer. Some children don't walk until they are 17 or 18 months old.
HOW CAN I HELP MY BABY TO WALK?
As your baby learns to stand, he may need some help working out how to get back down again. If he gets stuck and cries for you, don't just pick him up and plop him down. Instead, show him how to bend his knees so he can sit down without toppling over, and let him give it a try himself.
You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of him, holding both his hands as you help him walk towards you.
You could also buy him a toddle truck or a similar toy that he can hold onto and push. Look for toddle toys that are stable and have a wide base of support. Baby walkers can cause accidents (by tipping over) so it's best not to use them.
As your baby learns to walk it's a good idea to keep his feet as free as possible. If cramped by tight shoes or socks your baby's feet can't straighten out and grow properly.
You can delay buying shoes until your baby is walking around outside or on rough or cold surfaces. Going barefoot helps him improve his balance and coordination.
When you do buy shoes for your baby, try to get his feet measured by a qualified fitter. A fitter will check the fit and ensure there is room for growth.
Make sure your baby has a safe environment in which to practise walking. Keeping the floor space clear will help him to walk around easily. Childproof your home and never leave your baby alone, in case he falls or needs your help.
You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of him, holding both his hands as you help him walk towards you.
You could also buy him a toddle truck or a similar toy that he can hold onto and push. Look for toddle toys that are stable and have a wide base of support. Baby walkers can cause accidents (by tipping over) so it's best not to use them.
As your baby learns to walk it's a good idea to keep his feet as free as possible. If cramped by tight shoes or socks your baby's feet can't straighten out and grow properly.
You can delay buying shoes until your baby is walking around outside or on rough or cold surfaces. Going barefoot helps him improve his balance and coordination.
When you do buy shoes for your baby, try to get his feet measured by a qualified fitter. A fitter will check the fit and ensure there is room for growth.
Make sure your baby has a safe environment in which to practise walking. Keeping the floor space clear will help him to walk around easily. Childproof your home and never leave your baby alone, in case he falls or needs your help.
MY BABY IS 15 MONTHS. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED THAT HE ISN'T WALKING YET?
As long as your baby is bearing weight on his legs and shows an interest in learning new things, you don't have to be concerned. If your baby took a little longer than other babies learning to crawl, chances are he'll need a few more months for walking as well. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others.
If your baby seems to be lagging behind a lot and isn't walking by 18 months, talk to your doctor or health visitor. Remember that if your baby started to move around by bottom shuffling before he learned crawl, then he may walk later.we can use baby toys walk learner.
If your baby seems to be lagging behind a lot and isn't walking by 18 months, talk to your doctor or health visitor. Remember that if your baby started to move around by bottom shuffling before he learned crawl, then he may walk later.we can use baby toys walk learner.
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