When Do Babies Walk? First Steps Guide

Few moments are as thrilling as a baby’s first wobbly steps toward your open arms. But if your friend’s baby walked at 9 months and yours is still happily crawling at 13, you might wonder what’s normal. This first steps guide explains when babies walk, the stages leading up to it, how to help (and what not to buy), and when to check in with your pediatrician.

When do babies walk?

Babies start walking at very different ages. Some take independent steps at 9 or 10 months; many start around 12 months; others don’t walk on their own until 15 or 16 months. All of these are typical. The CDC milestones give a useful frame:

• By 12 months: pulls up to stand and walks holding on to furniture.
• By 15 months: takes a few steps on their own.
• By 18 months: walks without holding on to anyone or anything.

Babies born early often walk later; use their adjusted age. Personality matters, too: cautious babies may wait until they feel steady, then seem to walk almost overnight.

Stages of learning to walk

1. Sitting and crawling (6–10 months). Core and leg strength grow. Some babies scoot or skip crawling entirely, which is fine. See when do babies crawl.
2. Pulling to stand (8–10 months). Using furniture or your hands to get up, then learning to get back down.
3. Cruising (9–12 months). Side-stepping while holding the sofa or coffee table.
4. Standing alone (10–13 months). A few seconds without support, often by surprise.
5. First steps (9–15 months). Wide stance, arms up for balance, lots of falls.
6. Confident walking (12–18 months). Steadier steps, carrying toys, stopping and turning.

Signs your baby will walk soon

• Cruises confidently and lets go with one hand.
• Stands alone for a few seconds, then sits down with control.
• Walks while holding your hands or pushing a sturdy push toy.
• Squats to pick up a toy and stands back up.
• Seems frustrated, wanting to move faster than crawling allows.

How to help your baby learn to walk

7. Give plenty of floor time. Free movement builds the strength walking needs, so limit time in seats and carriers when awake.
8. Create a safe cruising path. Line up sturdy furniture so they can travel from one piece to the next.
9. Hold hands, then just fingers. Gradually offer less support.
10. Use a sturdy push toy on a flat floor, with you nearby.
11. Kneel and cheer. Sit a few steps away with open arms or a favorite toy.
12. Let them practice barefoot. Feeling the floor helps balance and foot development.

Baby walkers, shoes and safety

• Skip the baby walker. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against seated baby walkers; they cause thousands of injuries each year, especially falls down stairs, and don’t help babies walk sooner.
• Shoes: barefoot is best indoors. Outside, choose lightweight shoes with flexible, non-slip soles.
• Babyproof for a new height. Install stair gates, anchor furniture and TVs, pad sharp corners and move cords and breakables out of reach.
• Expect bumps. Falls are part of learning. Stay close, and call your doctor if a fall seems serious.

When to talk to your pediatrician

Most late walkers are simply taking their time. However, the CDC encourages parents to act early. Talk to your child’s doctor if:

• Your baby isn’t pulling to stand or bearing weight on their legs by about 12 months.
• Your child isn’t walking independently by 18 months.
• Walking looks lopsided, or they always walk on their toes after walking for a while.
• Legs seem very stiff or very floppy.
• They lose skills they used to have.

You can also contact your state’s early intervention program for a free evaluation; you don’t need a referral.

This guide is for general information and doesn’t replace advice from your pediatrician.

Capture the first steps

First steps often happen when you least expect them, like at daycare, at grandma’s or right after you put your phone away. Keep your phone handy during the cruising stage, record short practice sessions and write down the date, where it happened and who was there. Then, compare it with the rest of the year in our baby milestones month-by-month guide, or see what comes next in 18 month milestones.

Sources

This guide summarizes public guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The milestone lists come from these sources; the activity and memory ideas are our own suggestions. This article has not been reviewed by a clinician and doesn’t replace your pediatrician’s advice. Last reviewed: November 1, 2026.

• CDC — Milestones by 1 year
• CDC — Milestones by 15 months
• CDC — Milestones by 18 months
• AAP (HealthyChildren.org) — Movement milestones: babies 8 to 12 months
• Zubler et al. (2022), Pediatrics — Evidence-informed milestones for developmental surveillance tools (the 2022 CDC/AAP checklist update)

Frequently asked questions