A first baby is an exciting adventure, there are so many discoveries, milestones, and experiences to be had! But it’s also a steep learning curve for parents and children. A lot needs to happen in a very short space of time. And all of those tiny little details can feel quite overwhelming at times. Walking is one of the biggest milestones, here are 10 signs baby will walk soon.
What is the earliest a baby has walk?
The earliest a baby has walked is 9 months old. By this age, babies have developed the ability to pull themselves up to standing. They can also turn their head and move their neck in all directions. In addition, they can roll over from back to stomach and push themselves up on hands and knees. However, they cannot walk on their own just yet. Over time, they will develop the ability to walk with help from parents or caregivers. Walk milestones for 6 – 8 months old babies include –
- Rolling over from back to stomach
- Pulling themselves up to standing
- Turning head and moving neck in all directions
- Pushing up on hands and knees Unlike most other milestones in development, walking can be a fairly gradual process for your baby as he gets older.
- In addition, it may take longer than you think for him to accomplish each of these milestones.
10 Signs baby will walk soon
You can tell a lot about your baby from the way he or she walks. The way your baby moves and crawls is indicative of his or her readiness to start walking. If you notice any of these 10 signs that your baby is ready to walk, it’s time to get excited about its imminent mobility milestone!
Crawling is one of the early signs baby will walk soon. It helps strengthen muscles and improves balance, which is crucial for learning how to walk. Some babies take to crawling right away and cruise around furniture before they turn 6 months old. Others take a little longer, but all babies eventually master this essential motor skill that sets the stage for learning how to walk. If you think your baby might be on the cusp of taking their first steps, here are some signs that will let you know when they’re at that stage.
- Baby stops crawling and tries to stand – This initial sign of your baby’s readiness to walk has a lot to do with their desire to be more independent. They’re done crawling and wish to see what happens when they stand up.
- Baby holds onto furniture and tries to walk along it – With the desire to walk and stand on their own now in full swing, it won’t be long before they start holding onto furniture and attempting to walk along it.
- Baby shows an increased desire to be upright – A growing baby is a curious baby. With the desire to walk now in full swing, they’ll want to be upright as often as possible, ready to take in the world around them at eye level.
- Baby swats at toys and objects while standing – A standing baby who is more than ready to start walking can be a handful. They will likely show an increased desire to swat at toys and other objects while standing.
- Baby holds onto your legs and presses upward with feet – While your baby may show all of the above signs, this one is often the first thing you see. Your baby will be hanging onto your legs and pressing upward with their feet.
- Your baby starts to pull up on the furniture – When you’re not beside them, your baby will start to pull up on the furniture. They’re ready to walk and they know it.
- Baby starts to lose some interest in toys – Your baby will likely show a decrease in interest in their toys. They’re not interested in crawling with toys any longer. They want to stand and be on their own.
- Baby has improved eye-hand coordination – A baby with improved eye-hand coordination will likely be able to grasp toys and move them from one hand to the other with ease.
- Baby has increased physical strength – As your baby’s physical strength grows, it is often easier for them to pick up toys and place them back down again.
- Your baby has improved verbal skills – When your baby gains the ability to walk, they will likely also gain an improved ability to verbally communicate with you.
Watch for signs that your baby is getting stronger
One of the signs baby will walk soon is when your baby starts crawling. They’ll need to put far more effort into it than they did when they were a newborn. As they get stronger and more coordinated, they’ll need to use more muscle power than ever before. You’ll know your little one is getting stronger when you notice that they’re making bigger movements.
Their arms and legs will go farther, their hands will grasp things more strongly, and they’ll push themselves along the floor more forcefully. When your baby is upright and standing, you’ll also notice their upper body getting more toned and more muscular.
Your baby is in a position to push up with its legs and arms
Up till now, your baby has probably been pulling themselves along the floor with their hands. But now, if they’re trying to push off the floor with their legs, it’s a sign that they’re getting ready to walk. Your baby may not be able to keep their legs straight, but even bending their knees and pushing up with their calves is a great first step toward walking.
Some babies will start using both their hands and their legs together, which means they’re getting ready to start pulling themselves up. If your baby is not yet using their hands and legs together, but they are pushing off the floor with their legs, they’re on their way to walking.
They’re already trying to lift their feet while crawling
This is one of the most prominent signs baby will walk soon. Your baby may still have a long way to go before they’re walking, but they’re already trying to lift their feet. This is called the “cruise” position and it’s a great sign that your baby is ready to start walking. They may not be lifting their feet high enough for you to be able to see them yet, but once they get a little better at it, you’ll be able to notice.
This is also a sign that your baby is starting to get tired of crawling. They may be putting a lot of effort into their movements, but crawling doesn’t allow them to move as quickly as they’d like. Your baby is probably eager to start walking so that they can move around more quickly and easily.
Your baby can hold his or her head up while sitting
Another signs baby will walk soon is holding their head up while sitting shows that they have excellent core strength and balance. They’re ready to start building on the movements that lead to walking, such as sitting up, lifting their legs, and pushing with their arms. Your baby may still have a bit of a wobbly head when they sit up, but this is normal while they’re learning. They’ll begin to hold their head more steadily as the movements get second nature.
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When you try to put your baby on his or her feet, he or she resists by pushing back with their arms
If your baby has been cruising around furniture for a while and is happy to be upright and ready to start walking, but you’re reluctant to let them do so, you may notice that when you try to place them on their feet, they push back with their arms to stay where they are. This is one of the excellent signs your baby will walk soon. It shows that they’re ready to start walking on their own and don’t need any assistance.
Your baby is happy to stand and will probably want to do so more often
If your baby was happy to sit down and was reluctant to stand up before, but now stands up often, it’s a sign that they’re ready to walk. If you notice that your baby is now happy to be upright and would rather stand than sit, it’s a clear sign that they’re ready to start walking. They may have been happy to sit down before because they didn’t feel ready to walk yet. But now that they’re ready, they’ll want to stand up more often.
He or she is lifting their legs
If your baby used to only push with their hands, but now starts to lift their legs for a second or two before putting them back down again, it’s a sign that they’re ready to start walking. Babies often try to lift their legs without actually being able to do so. But if your baby keeps lifting its legs without being able to go anywhere, it means they’re ready to walk. Another signs your baby will walk soon
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Reasons for late walking in babies
Late walking in babies can be quite common. It’s a normal part of development and a sign that your baby is growing and adapting to his physical environment. The main reasons for this delayed walking are poor balance or coordination, muscle weakness, and weak or delayed motor skills. In addition to these physical issues, certain medical conditions may also contribute to late walking in babies. These conditions include cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and speech problems.
There are also a number of environmental factors that can slow down a baby’s ability to walk. These include crowded living conditions, exposure to secondhand smoke, and limited access to outdoor play. If your baby is showing any signs of delayed walking, it is important to address these issues as soon as possible so that they can grow stronger and more coordinated.
Do walkers help babies learn to walk?
Walkers help babies learn to walk by getting them used to walking around. Walking helps babies get used to their legs, which helps with coordination and balance. However, it’s important to remember that not all babies walk at the same age, so don’t expect your baby to be walking right away.
Before you put your baby in a walker, make sure he’s ready to walk by holding him up and walking alongside him. If he doesn’t want to walk on his own, talk to your pediatrician about ways you can support his development. There are also many other benefits of using a walker, including helping with sleep and digestion. At the end of the day, whatever works best for your family is what’s most important!
How do I encourage my baby to walk?
Encouraging a baby to walk is one of the best ways to help them develop healthy motor coordination. Walking helps strengthen their muscles and bones, improves balance, and reduces the risk of falling. It also helps create a sense of independence in your baby making them more confident and self-assured when they are walking around on their own two feet.
You can encourage your baby to walk by providing them with plenty of opportunities to do so. You can take long walks together; give your baby toys that can be used to explore the world outside of their home; or buy inexpensive infant walkers so that your baby can spend time exploring the floor on their own. Walking is also a great opportunity for you to bond with your baby. By taking regular walks together, you’ll have a chance to get to know each other better, build a strong connection, and become a family.
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Conclusion
Once your little one has mastered the skills above, they’ll be ready to walk and probably eager to do so! If you notice these signs, be sure to encourage your baby. Walk with them, hold their hands when they’re on their wobbly feet, and let them practice as much as they want. The more they walk, the faster they’ll improve. These signs only show that your baby is ready to walk.
It will still take time and effort for them to get there. But as soon as they master these skills, they’ll be walking across the room in no time. If you notice these signs in your baby, you’ll know that it won’t be long before they take those first steps toward independence.
I remember the days when my kids were small! I miss that age! =)
Awww, my daughter started walking when she was nine months old. Everyone was surprised. We started using the walker straight away to help her. By the time she was ten months, she was on her way.
When my little brother started trying to stand, we knew it was time for him to walk. so, we focused on helping him. This is a great post and information. Thank you for sharing!
Both my kids walked a little late but were showing signs. So crazy how different babies are!
I could tell my kids were going to walk because they started to try pulling themselves up by grabbing the furniture.
Another excellent article on this site on how our children develop. Will be sharing this article with a few friends whose babies are reaching this stage.