How to tell when your baby is ready to walk unaided

In fact, learning to walk is one of the greatest human achievements and it brings about a sense of pride and confidence, while promoting independence. So, how will you know when your little one is ready to walk? 

According to occupational therapist, Carla Grobler, who compiled Growing Up Step By Step: Childhood Development Checklist when your child is between the ages of 10 – 12 months you can expect them to: 

•    Use their legs to step forwards, sideways and backwards as they maintain their balance while holding onto something.
•    Use bear-walking when climbing up stairs. This is when a child’s body is bent forwards over upright legs, with hands on the ground. 
•    Stand for longer on their own and walk sideways against furniture.
•    By 12 months, they should be able to walk holding someone’s hand or pushing a trolley or wagon.

However, there are two main signs or indicators that your child is ready to walk unassisted, says occupational therapist and owner of Capable Kids, Samantha Smith. These include: 

•    The ability to balance and stand for more than a minute on their own 
•    The strength to pull themseld up to stand and walk along furniture

“If your little one has crawled for at least 4-5 months, there’s a good chance they’ll be strong enough to walk when the time is right,” says Samantha. 

When can you expect your child to walk? 

This very much depends on your child’s temperament (are they bold and willing to take risks or more cautious and reserved?) Sometimes, your child might be physically ready to walk before they’re actually willing to try, says Samantha, who’s own son walked at around 15 months, as he had low muscle tone (where his muscles are more limp and floppy), but was also less inclined to take risks. 

Generally, most children are walking independently between the ages of 16-18 months. “If your child is approaching their first birthday, there’s no need to assume that they should be walking”, says Samantha. However, many children do walk by 12 months - every child is different. 

A word on low muscle tone

Low muscle tone can affect your child’s ability to walk because muscle tone is linked to speed, as well as the amount of movement a person can achieve. According to a report by The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, low muscle tone can also affect: 

•    A child’s stamina and endurance 
•    Posture 
•    Muscle control 
•    Strength 
•    Milestones such as sitting, crawling and walking 

“If you suspect your child has low muscle tone, it’s always a good idea to seek professional advice from an occupational therapist, as early intervention can prevent any long-term impact on your child’s strength or physical abilities”, explains Samantha. An occupational therapist will also be able to assess your child individually and offer tips and guidelines to encourage your child to walk if they’re older than 15 months. 

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com