When (how many months) do children begin to walk

The first smile is already behind mom, the first sounds, the first skills of coups, we are already sitting on the ass, we already have our first tooth - it is time to wait for the first independent, albeit uncertain step. Many mothers are looking forward to this step! Remember (!) - there are no clear time indicators when your child (how many months) starts walking independently without support. As in everything that concerns the lives of babies up to a year, the time of independent movement is exclusively individual ...

How many months have children taken their first steps

The age at which a child should start walking on average is about a year. However, this does not mean that all babies begin to take their first steps at exactly 12 months. The norm is considered to be a period from 9 months to 1.5 years. First, the baby tries to get up, then makes trial steps, holding on to furniture or an adult's hand. And only after makes independent attempts to walk.

From how many months children begin to walk depends on many factors:

• Genetic factor greatly affects the time when the baby goes. If one of the parents went very late, then you should not wait for the early steps from the baby;
• The constitution and gender of the child also affect the time when the baby takes the first steps. Plump children will go a little later than slender peers, and girls begin to walk before boys;
• The baby’s temperament also affects the time when the baby goes. Calm, balanced observers are in no hurry to walk. It is convenient for them to learn the world slowly and they feel great sitting or crawling. Independent fidgets, on the contrary, tend to learn more new things faster and take their first steps very early.

When the baby begins to walk on its own, you will notice that the process of walking is noticeably different from walking an adult in several ways:

• The child puts his feet parallel to each other;
• Children walk as if “typing a step”, not being able to roll their feet from heel to toe;
• Children still do not know how to keep the center of gravity and therefore often fall.

Given these features, parents need to carefully monitor their child and be alert.It is especially dangerous when a child falls flat forward or backward - he does not know how to mitigate a fall with his hands and can break his face or neck. However, do not panic to madness fear falling. The bones of children at this age are very elastic and the risk of fractures is minimal.

The reaction of parents with frequent falls of the baby is very important. Every time you should not rush to the child with horror on his face and raise him. It is worth while in an affectionate and calm voice to cheer the beginning “walker” and wait until he himself rises and continues to move.

As soon as the child becomes more mobile, all dangerous objects in the house need to be removed, sharp corners should be protected, the parent should be constantly on the alert, and not let the child out of his control zone.

Very important article: read how to secure a home for a child

If the child started walking early: better sooner or later

• If the child began to walk early, do not be very happy. The muscles of the spine and legs have not yet fully strengthened, and the load exerted while walking is still unbearable for them. Large, well-fed babies may experience problems with the formation of the musculoskeletal system of the legs. Especially if the baby did not stand on his own, and his parents forced this event. The calf of the baby does not support its weight, which leads to their curvature and improper placement of the feet. Subconsciously, babies know when it is best to take the first step;
• A child begins to walk late for several reasons. Perhaps his leg and spine muscles are not yet ready for upright posture. Or there is a weakening of immunity from a previous illness or birth injury.

Helping your child walk: exercises and massage

Is it possible to stimulate a baby to take the first step faster if the appearance of this skill is late? - The most important thing is to adhere to a sense of proportion in the desire to quickly teach your baby to walk. There are several ways to help your child learn a new skill for him.

1. It is necessary to provide the child with the necessary sufficient space for movement. Kids who are constantly in the arena will go very late. It is worth placing around the room various stable pieces of furniture for support. The baby’s favorite toys should be placed in such a way as to reach them, the child had to break away from the support. Over time, the distance from support to support must be increased.
2. Do massage. Massage consists in strengthening and relaxing the muscles that work while walking. Stroking, rubbing and tapping on the feet and legs of the child will bring a good positive effect (read about massage here).
3. Daily gymnastics and stimulating exercises. The complex of exercises should include flexion and extension of the legs, squats and sipping with the help of an adult, bouncing on the knees of the mother, classes on fitball (link to useful articles massage and exercise above).
4. Sustainable wheelchairs will help your baby feel more confident. The child pushes a toy in front of him and moves almost independently.

Updated

1. Do not rush your child. All averages are conditional. Therefore, even at 14-15 months it’s still not normal for some to walk independently. The main task of parents at the initial stage is to wait until the child is ripe for the development of a new skill. Haste can adversely affect the formation of feet, muscles, and joints.
2. Create an enabling, safe environment: remove everything that could be harmful, eliminate sharp corners, hide the cords, and especially carefully monitor the baby.
3. Conduct physical training. No special exercises are required. You just need to train all muscle groups from birth on time in a timely manner. Spread on the stomach, stimulate turning. Next, the child himself should sit down from a prone position. And, of course, crawling plays a big role. The task of the parent in every way to encourage the motor activity of the child. For example, attracting him with toys, forcing him to crawl around the room. And jumping on the parent's lap, which children love so much, is an excellent exercise to strengthen the legs. (How to make a newborn baby stronger: 4 basic exercises for developing strength and endurance in a baby)
4. Massage develops muscles well and relieves tension in them at the same time. You can contact a specialist, and you can do it yourself.
5. Encourage walking. You can show an amusing toy, and then put it on the table, for example, so that you could get it only by standing on your feet. When the baby tries to take the first steps, the toy can miraculously move from the table to the sofa as soon as the baby approaches it. It’s good to be outside more often. where you can watch other children who already know how to walk. In this case, it is better to leave the stroller at home. It’s convenient to use special reins. But only when the child is already starting to walk. It is important to ensure that the child’s body does not bend forward or to the side.
6. Encourage. Praise for success, a smile of mom and dad is the best reward. Do not forget about the gentle and enthusiastic words. The child deserves this for his first steps.

Things to remember when teaching a child to walk

• Better to start walking barefoot. This leads to the correct formation of the foot. And along the way tempers the baby. Well, or wear socks with a rubber sole;
• For walks on the street you should buy high-quality and comfortable shoes. with a tight back and make sure that she does not rub her legs;
• No need to be tempted walkers. Children often after a walker for a long time walk on toes. And they refuse to learn walking skills in a timely manner;
• During training, you do not need to hold the child by the armpits. More correct for the brush, for the forearm, or even for the hood;
• And, most importantly, be patient. Do not fit the child under the standard framework. But you need to be an assistant to him in everything, as soon as he himself is ready for new discoveries.

We read in detail a very useful article: How to teach your child to walk: 10 tips

Do not use walkers and jumpers. They not only do not stimulate independent movement, but on the contrary contribute to delayed walking.

We also read:

Pros and Cons of Walkers

Pros and Cons of Jumpers

First shoes for a beginner baby

From the point of view of orthopedics, the baby’s shoes should meet the following requirements:

• shoes should be selected from genuine leather and suede so that the baby’s leg breathes;
• the sole of the first shoe is thin and flexible, otherwise the baby will stumble;
• the back of the shoes for the child must be firm so that shoes or sandals do not fall off when walking from the foot;
• a small and stable heel will save the child from falling back;
• the upper and side parts of the shoe should be soft and easily crease;
• To form the arch of the foot in shoes, it is worth choosing a flexible arch support.

Shoes for children who begin to walk

Tiptoe or tiptoe

It happens that instead of the usual walking the child begins to walk on toes. If the baby just wants to attract the attention of loved ones or tries a new way of transportation for himself, then everything is normal.

When the baby is constantly tiptoeing beautiful ballet gait, not even trying to get down to the whole foot, then you need to take action. No need to try to fix the situation yourself. In such an important case, it is better to trust a doctor who will advise what to do. Most often, a special massage, special gymnastics and physiotherapy are prescribed.

We read in detail: Why does the child tiptoe: what to do

Dr. Krasnova: What to do if a child walks on toes

You need to sound the alarm if the baby does not start walking after a year and a half. And even then, only in case of low activity of the child and unsatisfactory general condition of the baby. When the child is cheerful, active, creeps fervently in a good mood, but does not walk - do not worry, he will go, everything has its time.

We also read:Why is the child afraid to walk on his own

On the topic of development:

• Monthly Development (from birth to year);
• When the baby starts to crawl;
• When the baby begins to sit.

Video: How to teach a child to walk walk independently

Video consultation: at what age children begin to walk and how to properly teach them

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