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Parentpedia
Walking
What Experts Say
Thirteen months tends to be the mile marker for when most babies take their first solo steps. But, as with most milestones, there's also a wide range of normal. Your baby might walk at 11 months, while another baby won't until he's 15, 16, or even 17 months old.
At first, she may only take one or two sideways steps before grabbing hold of a chair to help her regain her balance. Putting one foot in front of the other and taking several steps in a row may not come for another few months.
You can help her gain her confidence by holding both hands as she practices this new skill, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Then, as she's more steady, you can try holding just one hand, and have her grasp one or two of your fingers.
At first, she might waddle like a penguin: legs wide, feet turned out, and arms held out. By 18 months, when she finds her balance, she'll walk more normally.
While she practices indoors (the safest place for beginners), do her a favor and ditch the baby shoes and socks.
"Walking barefoot will give her a greater sense of stability because it brings her feet into closer contact with the walking surface, allowing her to adjust the position of her feet easily," says Tanya Remer Altman, M.D., F.A.A.P., editor-in-chief of the AAP's "The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones."
If your baby isn't walking at all by 18 months, you may want to consult your pediatrician to rule out or discuss physical or developmental causes.
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