how do you really stimulate a baby to walk?mine only crawl and stand up, not cruising she's 13months?

Answer 1

A baby needs to want to walk in order to do so, we would encourage our boy with a form of "baby tennis" - where we would get him to go from mum to dad and back again slowly moving further apart until he had to make one, then two and more steps to reach his other parent. He would fall between us at first but after a trying this over a couple of days there was definitely some steps involved.

Answer 2

Here's an interesting anecdote:

I didn't walk without support 'til I was 15 months. My Mum was concerned and asked a midwife friend of hers about it. The midwife came and had a coffee and watched my playing and behaviour. She said, "Nothing to worry about, she's clever. She's not going to get up and walk on her own until she knows she's got it right and won't fall and hurt herself. Congratulations!"

She was right. One night when I was 15 months old we were all sitting in the living room. I wanted something or other, so I just got up and walked out of the room like an adult - no sign of 'toddlerish' walking at all, leaving my parents gobsmacked.

So it's quite possible you have a clever one and she will walk when she's ready and probably very well indeed. Just encourage her without pressurising her whenever she stands up.

Answer 3

There really isn't much you can do other than encourage her. She is NOT going to walk until SHE is ready no matter how much you want to see her do it. She's right on track and she'll be toddling around before you know it. I remember I couldn't wait till my daughter took those first steps-now she's 3 and I wish she couldn't walk sometimes. Be patient. Just encourage her by telling her what a good job she's doing when she stands and cruises and make sure she gets plenty of finger walking time in(when she walks by holding on to you).

Answer 4

Don't worry. My daughter is 18 months and literally started walking 2 days ago. She only started crawling at 14 months but you can't force them, they have to do it when they're ready. To me 13 months seems a bit young for walking but if she's crawling and standing then she'll start walking soon enough. Be patient.

Answer 5

Some babies dont cruise, they just walk. As she is standing its unlikely to be a physical problem. more likely a confidence thing. Try praising her whenever she stands and clapping "hurray arent you a clever girl!". Choose one word to use that describes standing up and use it every time "up" is simplest. this gives you a way of telling her what you want her to do. The more she stands the more confident she will get and walking will soon follow.

Answer 6

Don't worry too much, 13 months is not particularly late to not be walking, most babies will just do it in their own time. If she starts pulling herself up on the furniture etc that will be a sign she is moving towards walking, lots of praise and encouragement is good when she starts doing this.

Answer 7

As others have said, don't worry about it. My little girl is 21 months and has weak ankles. She is attending hospital and has special shoes. She stands but is too scared to step forward. She thinks she can crawl everywhere so why bother walking!

I'm hoping that one day she'll just get up and walk :-)

Answer 8

Dont' worry, she will do it in her own time.

My son is 14 months and only started taking a few wee steps, but mainly holding your hand.

Does she have a babywalker? Or why not try a push along, my son has one and is constanly playing with it and walking up and down the living room. The ELC have some nice ones.

Answer 9

Most children will go after keys. Hold them out for her to get. Try doing this when she is standing. plus not all will walk real young. Has some people held her alot. She just might be lazy because others pick her up all the time.

Answer 10

As long as there are no other physical issues that would cause her not to have the ability, try placing favored items just out of her reach. Have someone stand across from you while you hold her up and encourage her to walk toward them.. praise praise praise !! But before she goes it alone... hold her hand whenever you walk down the sidewalk or in the mall...