When Do Most Babies Start Walking? (And Should I Be Concerned If Mine Isn't Yet?)

A baby's first steps are an exciting and unforgettable moment for parents. But exactly when your baby will achieve this milestone can vary. Anticipating when your child will walk and worrying about whether it’s happening soon can cause some anxiety. But the timeline for milestones are not hard-and-fast rules about what is “normal” — it is just a guide. Let’s explore when most babies begin to walk and what to do if they are not walking within the expected age range.

What is the usual age when babies start walking?

Babies generally start walking between 12 and 18 months. But there is a wide spectrum of what’s considered normal. Some babies start walking as young as 9 months. And some may take a little longer to walk on their own.

What are signs my baby may start to walk?

Walking tends to progress in an expected order. And you’ll often see “pre-walking” skills before your baby starts to walk. Signs to look for in a baby learning to walk includes:

• Rolling over (about 4 months old)

• Sitting with help (about 6 months old)

• Sitting on their own (about 9 months old)

• Pulling up (about 9 months old)

• Crawling or creeping (about 9 months old) 

• “Cruising” or shuffling movement while holding on (about 9 to 12 months old)

• Standing alone (about 9 to 12 months old)

• Walking with help (about 12 months)

• Walking on their own (about 12 to 18 months old)

When should you be concerned about a baby not walking?

If your baby isn’t starting to walk by 18 months or hasn’t developed pre-walking skills before that, talk to your child’s healthcare provider. They can help check up on their progress and work with you to see whether your baby needs further testing. 

But take a breath and remember that milestones occur over a wide range of ages. When your child walks is also not a definite indicator of future intelligence or motor skills. Supporting their development at every age and stage is the main goal.

How can you help my baby start walking?

The best thing you can do is provide plenty of safe spaces and opportunities to explore. One of the great things about babies is that they are naturally eager to learn. Supervised floor time is the best setting to promote motor development in babies. It will enable them to practice using their muscles in different ways. Other ways to promote walking include:

• Providing furniture or play bars for your baby to pull up and cruise on

• Placing a desired toy or snack far enough that they have to move their bodies to get to it

• Sitting several feet away and encouraging your baby to come to you

• Holding their hands while they practice and giving them time to start each step 

Do baby walkers help babies walk?

In fact, research has shown that walkers may delay walking development. While many parents think baby walkers will help, there is growing awareness of their safety hazards. Walkers tipping over increase the risk of injury. And it allows for easy access to dangerous areas — like stairs, pools, and bathtubs. 

Walkers cause a large number of injuries every year. This has prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to call for a ban on walkers with wheels. These alternatives are better to use for limited baby play:

• Stationary activity centers

• High chairs with a tray

• Playpen or play yard

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What causes delays in walking?

Late walking and delays in early movement skills are gross motor delays. Usually, these delays are not a sign of an underlying health concern. Every child can have a different timeline for their milestones. Most children with a mild, isolated motor delay are healthy and will eventually catch up. 

A child could also present a delay in walking because of underlying conditions, including:

• Developmental disorders (like autism)

• Neuromuscular disorders (like muscular dystrophy)

• Genetic syndromes 

• Neurological disorders (like cerebral palsy)

If you have concerns that your child may have a motor delay, talk with your provider. An earlier diagnosis of an underlying condition improves the overall outcomes. Often, your provider may refer you to early intervention. This is a government-funded program, free to families of children ages 3 and under. It offers services and support for children with developmental concerns or disabilities. 

What happens if babies walk too early?

Walking at 9 months old is on the early end of normal. Before that would be earlier than the expected range. But most babies who are early walkers will do just fine. 

It was believed that a young infant placed in a standing or walking position too often would develop bowed legs. But there’s no evidence to support that theory. Most bowing of the legs in infants and toddlers occurs because of their positioning in the uterus. And sometimes bowing of the legs happens during normal skeletal development. Either way, it tends to straighten out on its own by age 3 or 4 years old. If not, there may be an underlying condition or nutritional deficiency. Talk with your provider to work on possible further tests.

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Written by:

Louisa Salisbury, MD

Louisa Salisbury, MD, is a licensed, board-certified general pediatrician. She received a bachelor’s degree in human development from the University of California, San Diego, and obtained her medical degree from the University of Vermont Robert Larner College of Medicine.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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