Every week at pickup, another parent mentions their baby’s first steps. Yours is still cruising along the couch, pulling up on the coffee table, in no hurry to let go. It’s hard not to wonder if you should be doing something differently.
Here’s the part most people don’t know: the “normal” window for walking is much wider than the milestone charts make it seem, and there’s a clear order babies move through before that first step. The typical age for babies to start walking independently is around 12 months, though it can range anywhere from 9 to 18 months and still be considered normal. Most babies take their first real steps between 12 and 15 months, and it usually takes another 4 to 6 weeks of practice after that before it looks confident.
💡 Key Takeaways
- ◆Babies usually walk between 9 and 18 months old. The average is about 12 months, but every baby is different.
- ◆Walking happens step by step. Babies pull up to stand, then cruise along furniture, then stand alone, and finally take their first steps. It takes a few more weeks after that to walk with confidence.
- ◆You can help build your baby’s strength. Tummy time, squats, cruising, and barefoot play all help build the muscles needed for walking.
- ◆Toe walking is usually just a phase. Most toddlers grow out of it by age 2 or 3. If it keeps happening after that, ask your pediatrician.
- ◆See a doctor if your baby isn’t walking by 18 months. This helps catch any issues early and gives your baby the right support.
The Order Babies Follow Before Walking: Average age babies walk
Walking doesn’t happen all at once; it’s a sequence, and most babies move through it in roughly this order:1
- Pulling up to stand: around 9 to 12 months
- Cruising along furniture: between 9 and 13 months
- Standing without support: between 10 and 16 months
- First independent steps: 12 to 15 months, with confident walking by 15 to 18 months
What Percentage Of Babies Walk At 9 Months?
About 1 out of 20 babies walk at 9 months, which is roughly 5 percent.Most babies start walking closer to their first birthday, not at 9 months.
Studies show that only a small number are walking that early, while about half are walking by 12–13 months and most by 14–15 months.2
An early walker is one who takes independent steps before 12 months; some start as early as 9. It’s exciting, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything about later development; there’s no real evidence that early walkers end up more advanced.
How can I strengthen my baby’s legs for walking?
You can’t rush walking, but you can give your baby’s legs and balance what they need to get there faster:
- Tummy time, from the early weeks on, builds the core strength that later supports standing and walking.3
- Pull-to-stand practice, using your knees or a low sturdy table, works the hips, core, and thighs.
- Assisted squats, placing a toy on the floor while your baby holds onto furniture, forces those bending-and-rising leg muscles to fire.
- Cruising, with toys placed just out of reach along a couch, gets your baby walking sideways while still holding on.
- Barefoot play on different surfaces (carpet, grass, rubber mats) helps develop the small stabilizing muscles in the feet and ankles.
How To Get Baby To Achieve Independent Walking Without Holding On?
Helping your baby walk without holding on is exciting. You can encourage your baby to take steps on their own by trying these tips:
- Give your baby plenty of time on the floor to explore; tummy time from the early weeks helps strengthen core muscles that support later walking and is an important part of child’s development.[The effectiveness of tummy time combined with baby yoga in improving gross motor milestones in infants]
- Encourage your baby to start pulling up to stand using sturdy furniture like a couch or low table, and support sitting too since it helps build the strength and balance needed for walking.
- Use push toys like a plastic trolley that are stable and safe to help the baby learn to walk while holding on. Always ensure the push toy is sturdy and appropriate for your floor type so it doesn’t roll away too fast, then offer less support as balance improves.
- Place interesting toys a short distance away to motivate your baby to take those first steps and keep practicing.
- Place the baby on their back, flat against a wall or couch, and stand a step in front of them, clapping and calling them over.
- Baby starts wearing shoes mainly when going outside, since they wear shoes for protection once the baby starts walking outdoors. [Guidelines for Recommended Footwear for Healthy Children and Adolescents]
- Cheer and praise your baby when they try to stand or take steps alone to build their confidence, and notice each moment of progress because walking is a major milestone in early life.
- Do not use baby walkers, as they can slow down walking development and present safety risks.
- Make sure your home has a safe play area by removing sharp objects, covering stairs, and letting your baby practice on different surfaces when appropriate.
By supporting your baby in these ways, you can help them learn to walk soon without needing to hold on.
A few things to skip: baby walkers can actually slow down walking development and aren’t considered safe, and shoes aren’t needed; bare feet indoors help your baby feel the ground and build better balance. Shoes matter once your baby’s walking outside, where flexible, lightweight ones protect against rough or sharp surfaces.4
Is It Normal For A Baby To Start Walking On Toes?
One thing you’ll likely notice along the way: toe-walking. It’s normal and common as babies build balance and leg strength, and most grow out of it by age 2 or 3. If it continues past that, or starts suddenly, it’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician; occasionally it’s linked to muscle tightness that benefits from early attention.5
How To Stop Baby Walking On Tiptoes?
If your baby frequently walks on their toes, there are ways you can help encourage walking with a flat foot:
- Encourage barefoot walking: Allow your baby to walk barefoot on safe, flat surfaces at home. This helps them feel the ground better and develop foot muscles needed for walking on two feet.6
- Practice walking on different surfaces: Let your baby walk on carpet, grass, or rubber mats. The different textures provide sensory feedback that can improve balance and foot placement.
- Stretch and massage: Gently stretch your baby’s calf muscles and ankles to reduce tightness that may cause toe walking. Massaging their feet can also relax muscles.
When Walking Is Taking Longer Than Expected
Delays happen for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with anything being wrong, such as:
- Not enough floor time to practice
- Being born early
- Or simply following a family pattern of later walkers
Sometimes it’s related to muscle tone, balance, and coordination still developing, or slower progress through the earlier milestones like sitting and crawling.
Talk to your pediatrician if:
- Your baby isn’t walking independently by 18 months
- They aren’t pulling up to stand or cruising by around 12 months
- They struggle to bear weight on their legs, or show no interest in standing or moving
Catching a delay early doesn’t mean something is seriously wrong; most of the time, it just means your pediatrician can check things over and make sure your baby has the right support if needed.
Wondering if your baby’s walking on track?
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Sources:
- Gross and fine motor milestones in the first two years of life
- Infant Motor Milestones
- The effectiveness of tummy time combined with baby yoga in improving gross motor milestones in infants
- Guidelines for Recommended Footwear for Healthy Children and Adolescents
- The Autistic Toe Walking
- Effects of Barefoot and Minimalist Footwear Strength-Oriented Training on Foot Structure and Function in Athletic Populations