How can I get my baby to start walking?

Question

I know they say that they do it when they want, but are there any tricks to get your baby to start walking sooner?PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

You can wait until she/he is developmentally ready. Babies *do* walk when they are ready. You don't have to worry about it...and anything you do try could do more harm than good. (Walkers, for instance, do *not* encourage early walking, but they do cause a lot of injuries.) I have one child who didn't take her first step until she was 17 1/2 months old, and she is perfectly normal...

Answer 2

The not walking thing can be so frustrating for both mommy and baby. My son wanted to walk so badly but he just wasn't confident enough to let go and he would get sooooo frustrated. Here are some things that I thought helped:

1- Use a push toy to help build skills and gain confidence. Radio flyer makes a great push wagon that is stable and has a bit of resistance to it so they don't go flying forward when they push it.

2- Play baby ping-pong between you and someone else and try to get the baby to walk to you. If you are by yourself, try standing him/her against a wall and coax toward you with a cracker (or favorite food).

3- Gradually go from walking the baby around while holding both of your fingers to just holding one finger. It requires quite a bit of balance to hold on one finger.

It really is best to try these things when baby is in a good mood. What ultimately worked for me was to practice these things when my mom was around because he looooves my mom and will do anything for her.

Other than that, all you can really do is provide the opportunity for your child to walk and he/she will eventually get brave and do it. I totally understand your cry for help.....not all people realize that it can be more stressful for some kids than others during the long process of learning to walk. Good luck!

PS. Contrary to what a lot of people say, I found life much easier when my son did start walking because he was so happy to have achieved this new independence.

Answer 3

What we did with our daughter is we would take her hands and guide her. Don't use a Walker because then the child does not realize that she is doing it by herself. If you use a walker it will set a child behind in their walking and crawling developments. (Ask you ped. if you don't believe). You can also allow the child to attach herself to a table or chair if she just wants to stand there that is ok, move yourself or favorite toy away on the other end of the table or the couch and encourage her to walk towards it to get the toy on her own. Every step she does take (weither doing it by herself or while holding your hands) congratulate her. Clap your hands and make a big fuss about it, that way she will want to do it just so you will be proud of her. Soon enough she won't walk but she will RUN through the house :) best of luck

Answer 4

Someone before me recommended a walker but I wanted to dispute this. There is a lot of research that walkers actually delay walking (not to mention the safety aspect).

I agree to let them walk in their own time but providing plenty of stimulation, encouragement and an environment condusive to learning will help. Ensure he/she has a safe place to crawl, cruise, walk and thus fall without getting hurt or frustrated. Place bumber guards on the coffee table (that fall equalled 10 stitches for my 11 month old), fireplace and anything else they might fall on. Make sure the floor isn't cluttered and the space is open with furniture along the edges to cruise along.

Answer 5

Toys that help with balance, like the "walk behind" push cars and trucks are supposed to work very well. My daughter just decided it was too boring on the floor one day and that my coffee table just held more entertaining things to look at....and a walker was made. I wouldn't worry about it, they start walking when they do. You can actually do far more damage forcing a kid to go beyond their physical limitations at the time, than to just wait until their little bodies catch up to their minds.

Answer 6

Honey, give it time, when the baby decides he or she decides that it's time to walk you will know, he/or she will start pulling themselves up to standing hanging on to a chair, coffe table, your leg, etc, Just give the baby time, remember you have to crawl before you can walk.

When it is time, then what you do ism have Dad sit down about 5 fet fom mom, and one or the other start out by holding the baby, and the other encouraging the baby to walk, by holding out your hands, and letting it grab your fingers, and walk towards you, but don't try to force it too, eventually it will walk , when ready,

Answer 7

My 6 and 5 3 hundred and sixty 5 days old sons began at 10-10.5 months. I purely had yet another son 12-19-08 i desire he walks quick also. He has a brother on his dad's part that 20 months so that they are going to likely play and help and percentage with one yet another. his 20 month old brother began strolling at 14 months

Answer 8

First of all, do not use a walker! They are an extreme safety hazard and can collapse with the child in it....not to mention if you have steps.

I would suggest an exersaucer (expensive though) to help strengthen your babies legs, ankles, and feet for walking. Don't worry though....every kid is different and will do it when they are ready.

Answer 9

r u serious?

forcing your baby to walk will cause all kinds of problems in the future...back, leg, neck problems!

your baby will walk on his/her own.

when my daughter wasnt walking at 14 months I had in-laws telling me to buy her special shoes and they even bought me a walker....

without help in anyway, the next week she was up and walking and then running soon after. she didnt fall much, just up and went.

dont rush your baby...if everything is developing fine your child will walk when they are good and ready.

why not check on line about some stories of babies with deformed legs and back problems cause they were forced upright in walking and bouncers before they were ready!

Answer 10

You can't. Only mother nature can. I have 7 kids and the earliest walker was 10 months. The latest was 13 months. The pediatrician said to me "Dont worry, he's not going to go to Kindergarten not knowing how to walk LOL"