Your baby learning to walk is an exciting milestone?they are, literally, taking steps toward a whole new way of life as a toddler (and a whole new way of life for you, as a parent of a toddler!). And like many milestones, it comes with questions. First and foremost, when do babies start walking" Here?s what you need to know.
When do babies start walking"
Parents often think babies should walk independently by 12 months, but anywhere between nine and 18 months is considered within the completely normal range, says Elizabeth Zahary, a paediatric physiotherapist at Summerside Children?s and Sport Physiotherapy in Edmonton. Carl Cummings, a paediatrician in Montreal, agrees. ?In my practice, the average age for walking alone is 13 or 14 months,? he says. How long does it take between baby’s first steps and walking independently"
There?s no official answer on this one, says Zahary. ?You need to have hundreds and hundreds of supported steps, holding someone?s hand or a piece of furniture, before you?re able to walk unsupported,? she says. This gradual process from supported to unsupported steps can take several months.
How do babies learn to walk"
For babies to start walking, it requires strength, coordination and balance, which are complex skills that need lots of building blocks. Tummy time, starting from birth, is an important piece here, says Zahary, because it helps babies extend and strengthen their core, arm and leg muscles, which, in turn, help...