Walking
Should I be worried if my toddler's walking is still a little off-kilter?
by The Babble Staff
December 26, 2006
Walking
THE BABBLE TAKE
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 pediatricians 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.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION IN OUR MESSAGE BOARD
-
BabyCenter ®
"When it comes to milestones, your baby's first steps can't be beat. One day he's standing against the couch — maybe sliding along it — and the next he's tottering hesitantly into your waiting arms. Then he's off and running, leaving babyhood behind. Your child's first baby steps are, after all, his first major move toward independence."
...read the full article
-
Dr. Sears
"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
"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.)"
-
Parents
"Between 9 and 16 months most babies start walking; they first pull themselves up to a sitting position and cruise around by holding on to furniture. Eventually they walk unaided. Typically they spread their arms out and spread their legs for balance and point their knees out and toes in or out."
...read the full article
-
Mama's Health
"Some babies will walk as early as six to seven months of age. Other babies might not learn to walk until a few months past their first birthday. The factors that help decide when a baby will start walking are the baby's genes and his or her personality."
...read the full article
JOIN THE DISCUSSION IN OUR MESSAGE BOARD
BACK TO ALL TOPICS
