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Subtitle: Information about your baby’s first steps.
Synonyms: baby, infant, steps, first, walking, falling, tripping
Search terms: baby, infant, first, steps
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
Learning To Walk
Learning to walk takes practice.
Each child will learn to coordinate and balance at different rates.
You can expect some wobbling and falling at first, but before you know it, your child may be running circles around you.
Barefoot Is Natural
A person's lifelong gait (walking pattern) begins with their first steps.
Babies learn to walk by gripping the ground with their toes and using their heels more for balance.
This type of movement helps the muscles needed for walking.
It is easier for your child to do this without socks or shoes on.
Although your baby's feet will develop just as well without shoes or socks, walking barefoot may not always be possible.
Soft-soled shoes should be worn to protect your baby's feet when cruising or walking:
Outside.
On uneven ground.
On hot, or cold surfaces.
Shoes, socks, and footed pajamas should have wiggle room and traction to prevent falling and allow proper foot development.
Developmental Milestones
Although no 2 children develop at the same rate, they should be able to do certain things at certain ages (see below). Talk with your child's health care provider if you have questions or are concerned about your child's walking.
If your baby was born more than three weeks early, or you were told your baby was premature or a preemie, check out this article for information with your baby’s milestones that will help you adjust your baby’s age.
Age | Description |
|---|---|
At 9 months | May start to crawl, usually backward at first. (Some babies never crawl but instead find other ways of getting around, like wiggling on their tummies and rolling and scooting on their backs and that is normal as well.) May pull to stand.
|
At 11 months | May start to cruise (start to walk while holding onto furniture). May start to walk with support (holding a caregiver’s hand while walking).
|
From 12 months | May stand on own without support. May walk 2 to 3 steps without support.
|
13 months | Most babies begin walking at this age. |
15 months | May start to walk backward. |
18 months | May start to run. May walk across a large room without falling or wobbling from side to side.
|
2 years | Starts to climb up and down the stairs on their own. Can run without falling most of the time.
|
3 years | Can pedal a tricycle. |
Shoe Shopping
First steps can happen anywhere between 9 and 15 months.
As your baby starts to get on their feet, shoes that fit well are just as important for their feet as it is for the health of their entire body.
Keep the following tips in mind when shoe shopping:
Shoes should be lightweight and flexible so the baby’s foot can move well in them.
They should also be comfortable and help your child with stability.
Shoes should be made of breathable materials such as leather or quality mesh, as babies' feet sweat twice as much as adults’ feet.
Soles should be made of rubber for traction to prevent slipping when babies are learning how to pull up, cruise, walk, and run.
Babies' foot arches do not start to develop until 2 or 3 years of age.
So, special arches are not necessary for early walkers.
Arches should start to appear in children's shoes to support the natural way their feet develop as they get older.
Handing down shoes from one child to another is not recommended because each child has a unique foot pattern.
In the first few years of life, your baby's feet are rapidly growing.
It is likely they will need new shoes every 2 to 3 months.
It is a good idea to get their feet measured at least every 3 months to ensure the shoes fit well and have flexibility, stability, and support for proper growth and development.
If you need help, a trained professional (at a shoe store or in the shoe department at a store) can measure your child's feet and help find the right fit.
Your child's feet can be measured for length and width to allow for proper foot growth.
Safety Tips For Babies On The Move
Once your baby can get around on their own, it's important to make sure your home is safe.
Cover sharp edges on furniture with padding.
Make sure all furniture is stable and won't fall over if you child leans against it.
Top-heavy furniture, such as bookshelves, hutches, or TV stands, should be bolted to the wall to prevent tipping and serious injury to your baby.
Safeguard dangerous areas, like fireplaces, with baby gates or barriers to prevent your child from getting too close.
Secure all loose cords, such as curtain or blind pulls, to prevent strangulation.
Baby Walkers
There are no benefits to baby walkers, and they are not recommended.
Many parents think walkers will help their children learn to walk, but they don't.
Walkers can be dangerous as your infant can tip over, fall and injure themselves.
Walkers that babies sit in can delay when a child learns to walk.
Instead, while you are watching, let your baby cruise along furniture or with a push walker or similar toy.
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: RM M.D., TT D.O. | 07/2024