Baby's First Steps: When to Expect Them and How to Help Baby Learn How to Walk - What to Expect

There's no more momentous milestone than a baby's first steps. From there, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from all kinds of adventures on two feet.

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Transcript:

There's no more momentous milestone than a baby's first steps. From there, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from all kinds of adventures on two feet. But when will your little one stand up and deliver those first steps?
While babies may reach their cruising altitude taking steps while holding onto furniture, at anywhere from eight to 11 months, unassisted walking typically comes later, even much later. The very wide range of normal start times: As early as eight months, as late as 18 months, with most tots walking well by 13 1/2 months.
Try not to chase developmental timetables. You'll be doing plenty of chasing once baby starts walking. Instead embrace the journey and keep your phone charged and at the ready to capture those first steps on video.
And while you're waiting to push record, give baby plenty of time and space to practice her floor moves. She'll walk faster without a walker, which actually slows development down. Plus, walkers are seriously unsafe. A stationary activity center that bounces and spins won't carry safety risks, but can also slow walking if baby's cooped up in one too often or for too long.
Your baby's just starting to activate his cruise control, but seems unsure of how to take next steps? Give him a hand, actually both hands, and let him take a few steps while you hold on tight for balance. Your back will ache, but your heart will melt. Place tantalizing toys a step or two out of his reach so he can take those baby steps toward the prize he's eyeing.
Don't push those first steps, but do try a push toy. A small shopping cart for instance, or a pint-sized lawnmower can give your little one a comforting sense of stability as she pushes it in front of her. Walking with support of a push toy will refine her balance, boost her confidence, and help her figure out the spatial logistics of putting one foot in front of the other, something she couldn't do in a walker where she couldn't see her feet. Look for a push toy with a bar or handle she can lean on and big wheels that prevent tipping.
Since the best shoes for beginning walkers are no shoes at all, keep your baby's tootsies bare when you can. Bare feet or nonslip socks if floors are chilly will give him more traction, build his balancing coordination, and help his arches develop.
When he must step outside, choose shoes that are lightweight and flexible. Step away from those crazy cute boots or high tops. Too much ankle support can slow your walker down.
It may take some time before your little walker is steady as she goes with plenty of starts and stops as she finesses her balance and coordination and resolves the normal depth perception issues that comes standard for babies her age.
There will be bumps and bruises on the road to walking with your tot taking plenty of tumbles along the way. You can't prevent them all, but you can try to minimize the damage to her knees and her confidence by keeping her path free of toys, papers, diapers, or anything else that might trip her up. And be sure to clean up spills that might slip her up.
When she takes a fall, try to take it in stride. She's more likely to overreact if you do. Reassure her, and then when she's ready encourage her to get up and try again. Here's to baby steps.