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How to encourage your baby to walk
Gentle ways to support your baby’s first steps. Learn when babies start walking, signs they’re ready and practical tips to help build confidence and strength.
5 min
18/03/2026
A baby’s first steps are one of those moments parents never forget. It can feel exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little bit worrying if it does not happen when expected. The truth is that learning to walk is a gradual process, and it looks slightly different for every child.
Many babies begin walking around their first birthday, but it is completely normal for this to happen earlier or later. Some babies take their first steps at nine months, while others are closer to eighteen months. Both can fall within typical development.
If you are wondering how to encourage your baby to walk, it can help to understand the signs that they are getting ready, how to support them gently, and what really makes a difference during this exciting stage.
When do babies start walking?
Parents often ask what age babies start walking, and while there is a typical range, it is important to remember that development is not a race.
Before walking, babies move through a sequence of physical milestones. These usually include sitting independently, rolling, crawling or shuffling, pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture, and standing briefly without support. Each stage helps build the strength, balance and coordination needed for walking.
Most babies begin walking somewhere between 9 and 18 months. Variation within this range is very common, and a later walker is not necessarily a cause for concern.
Signs your baby may be ready to walk
Walking rarely happens suddenly. There are usually clear signs that your baby is preparing for those first independent steps.
Pulling up to stand
When babies start pulling themselves up using furniture, your legs, or anything within reach, they are building strength in their legs and core. This stage can appear several months before walking.
Cruising along furniture
Cruising is when your baby moves sideways while holding onto furniture. This is an important step because it helps them learn how to shift their weight from one foot to the other, which is essential for walking.
Standing briefly without support
You may notice small moments where your baby lets go and stands for a few seconds. These wobbly, tentative moments are often just before those first steps.
Increased curiosity and movement
As babies become more aware of their surroundings, they often become more motivated to move. Trying to reach a toy or follow you across the room can encourage early stepping attempts.
Gentle ways to encourage your baby to walk
If you are thinking about how to help your baby walk, the key is to support development rather than push it.
First of all, create safe space to move. Babies need space to practise. Floor time allows them to explore, crawl, stand and move freely. Spending long periods in seats, bouncers or walkers can limit these opportunities.
Encourage repeated standing and squatting. Placing toys on low furniture or the floor encourages babies to move between sitting, standing and squatting. These movements strengthen the legs, hips and core muscles needed for walking.
Place toys just out of reach as a little bit of motivation can go a long way! Placing a favourite toy slightly out of reach can encourage babies to move, shift their weight or attempt small steps.
Also, let your baby go barefoot indoors as this allows babies to feel the floor and adjust their balance naturally which helps them to develop coordination and confidence as they learn to walk.
Common myths about helping babies walk
There is a lot of information online about how to teach babies to walk. Some of it can be confusing or misleading.
Do baby walkers help?
Traditional sit-in baby walkers are not recommended. They can encourage babies to move in ways that do not support natural development and may reduce opportunities to practise balance and coordination.
Do babies need shoes to learn to walk?
Babies do not need shoes to learn to walk indoors. In fact, barefoot is often best as it allows them to use their feet to grip and balance. Shoes are mainly needed for protection outdoors.
Can you teach a baby to walk earlier?
Walking is driven by physical readiness, not teaching. While parents can provide opportunities to practise, it is not something that can or should be rushed. Trying to push babies too early can sometimes lead to frustration for both parent and child.
Some parents worry about encouraging walking too much or too soon. It is important to understand that babies need time to build strength and coordination through earlier stages such as crawling and cruising.
Skipping these stages or trying to accelerate walking can mean babies miss out on important muscle development and coordination practice. Allowing development to unfold naturally helps create a stronger foundation for walking.
When to speak to a health professional
While variation is normal, there are times when it may be helpful to seek advice.
You may want to speak to a GP or health visitor if your baby is not pulling up to stand by around 12 months, shows little interest in standing or moving, or is not walking by around 18 months.
In many cases, babies are simply developing at their own pace, but reassurance and support are always available if needed.
Supporting your baby’s confidence
Learning to walk is not just about physical development. It is also about confidence, curiosity and feeling safe enough to explore.
Babies learn through repetition, encouragement and watching others. Celebrating small achievements and giving them time to practise can make a big difference.
If you are wondering how to encourage your baby to walk, the most important thing is to provide opportunities, stay patient, and trust your baby’s pace. They will get there.
FAQs around encouraging your baby to walk
Most babies start walking between 9 and 18 months, although some will walk earlier or later.
Pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture, standing briefly without support and increased curiosity are all common signs.
Some babies enjoy this, but it is also important to allow them to practise independently to develop balance. It can also be helpful to hold their hands at their waste rather than over head as this helps to support a more natural balance development.
Yes, barefoot walking indoors helps babies develop balance and coordination.
Many babies develop later. If your baby is not walking by around 18 months, it is a good idea to seek advice for reassurance.
