Children usually take their first steps toward the end of their first year, though experts say some start earlier and many others don’t walk until they are nearly a year-and-a-half old. Dr. Sears attributes the timing of baby’s first steps to a combination of strength, balance and temperament, citing the last factor as the most crucial. More laid-back babies, Sears says, don’t feel a particularly strong urge to join the bipeds and will stick with crawling for a while since it is easier and faster. Similarly, another expert says, many babies will continue to crawl long after they’ve taken their first steps, as it is more convenient. In any case paediatricians say not to worry much if your child is a little late in starting to walk. Early walking is not necessarily an indicator of what his motor skills will be like later in life. Also late walkers tend to walk well once they finally start. Another piece of advice from those who know is not to worry about funny walking styles. Waddling, tip-toeing or pigeon-toed walking abounds up until about age three, and baby’s walking usually straightens itself out without the need for any intervention.
BabyCenter Australia®
"Developmental Milestones: Walking"
" One of the most important milestones in your child’s life, learning to walk is a huge step towards independence. As he moves from standing propped up against the couch to tottering hesitantly to your waiting arms to running, skipping, and jumping confidently, he’ll be leaving babyhood behind. " …read the full article
Dr. Sears
"Walking"
“There are early walkers and late walkers. Around fifty percent of babies usually walk by one year, but there is a wide normal range of walking, from nine to sixteen months. Walking is a matter of coordinating three factors: muscle strength, balance, and temperament, and the latter seems to influence the age of walking the most.” …read the full article
Dr. Spock
Excerpt from Dr. Spock’s Baby and Childcare
"Walking. Lots of factors determine the age at which a baby walks alone: inheritance probably plays the largest role, followed by ambition, heaviness, how well she can get places by creeping, illnesses, and bad experiences. A baby who is just beginning to walk when an illness lays her up for two weeks may not try again for a month or more. One who is just learning and has a fall may refuse to let go with her hands again for many weeks. Most babies learn to walk between twelve and fifteen months. A few muscular, ambitious ones start as early as nine months. A fair number of bright children do not begin until eighteen months or even later. You don’t have to do anything to teach your child to walk. When her muscles, her nerves, and her spirit are ready, you won’t be able to stop her. (The devices called walkers don’t help babies learn to walk sooner and are unsafe.)"
Children, Youth And Women’s Health
"Gait"
" Parents often worry about the way their children walk, especially young children and wonder whether it is “normal”. In most cases differences in the way children walk are part of normal development and will correct themselves as the child grows. " …read the full article
Better Health Channel
"Feet- Children"
" Your toddler doesn’t need shoes until they have been walking for a couple of months, and then only to protect their feet from sharp objects. It is important to allow your child to go barefoot regularly to help them develop balance, coordination and posture. " …read the full article
