12 month old not walking yet?

Question

My 12 month old is not walking yet. She has taken a couple of steps by herself with out holding onto anything. I was wondering if there are special types of shoes that would help her start to walk? Are there any other special techniques? I have tried a walker, but I think that might be delaying her walking. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

If she is already taken a couple of steps, then give her a month and she should be walking good..I also found with mine that not wearing shoes was better when they were learning to walk. She sounds like she is right on track tho..enjoy it while you can..once she does start walking is when the trouble starts..lol...best wishes

Answer 2

Despite what some posters will say you can't TEACH a baby to walk. You can encourage them and give them lots of opportunities but they will not do it until they are good and ready. A walker can delay walking because it does not put as much weight on the legs therefore the legs do not get as strong. Kind of like walking with a crutch.
The best thing is for a baby to be barefoot. They will walk much more confidently in bare feet than in shoes because they can feel and "grip" the ground/carpet with their toes and it strengthens their feet and legs. A baby does not need shoes unless they are going outside and then they need something supportive but flexible.
It is totally fine for her not to be walking on her own yet. 1 year is an average, meaning some babies walk at 9 months, some not until 15 months. If she has taken a couple steps then she is getting ready to go. Just give her some time, space and encouragement and she will take off whenever she feels she is ready.

Answer 3

Babies develop in their own time. You have nothing to worry about as she is clearly trying to walk, and she will get there soon enough. Don't try and rush it because the minute shes walking, she'll be getting into everything & you won't be able to let her out of your sight for a second! What you could do about shoes is cut a thin piece of foam and stick it to the soles of her shoes, because babies first shoes are often, well, really uncomfortable for the baby, it's like walking on ice for them (I read this in an article). So the foam helps to make it a bit more comfortable for her, just scrape it off and replace it whenever it gets really tattered. You should only have to do this for the first 3 - 4 months until shes a really confident walker.

Answer 4

I have always been told bare feet feet is the best way for a child to learn to walk, unless your outside or have hard wood floors. However, My daughter was walking at 11 months and what I did was let her be bare foot in the house (I had hard wood floors) she was able to keep her balance better because the shoes add extra weight and it makes it harder for children to left their feet to take steps. Thank about it if you have weight extra weight on something you already are having problems lifting up you'll never be able to do it. NOW for OUTSIDE, I went to a Store Called STRIDE RIGHT!!!! They have the best shoes, light weight and the support babies need around the ankle and foot. Especially the arch in their feet is different then all kids and they well fit your child with the best shoe(they need to be fit proprer), Trust ME!!!!! Good luck and best wishes. Let me know what you do, I understand. Get rid of the Walker and get a ridding toy, like a car she can push with the feet to help bulid the legs.

Answer 5

Every child is different. She will start walking when it's time. You are right about the walkers. They only inhibit instead of helping. If you pick her up alot and carry her around she may not feel the need to walk yet. Also if she is an only child there are not a lot of feet moving around her so it's just taking her longer to catch on. Don't worry she'll get the hang of it and then you won't be able to stop her.

Answer 6

Relax, every new parent is anxious for their baby to grow and develop quickly. Your baby is doing things at her own pace as she should be and pushing her will only have a negative affect on her development. My two sons began walking and talking at very different ages.
My neighbor asked me the same question about 4 months ago and I told her that after her daughter started walking she will regard these as "the good old days."
Last week she said I was right.

Answer 7

You have to be patient. I was the same way. My started walking very close to the end of the 12 month mark. Every baby and they do things at different times.

Answer 8

Don't worry about it. She's doing fine.

Take the shoes off and ditch the walker. I let my girls stand in their bare feet by the couch. They could grab on and take steps without tipping over.

Answer 9

First of all don't worry . . .

We taught our daughters to walk at 9 months by sitting facing each other and held their arms out and had them walk back and forth between us. We gradually moved further and further apart and they both walked . . .

It was a great moment because we were both there and shared another one of those "firsts" together . . .

They are now 25 and 22 and we can't get them to shut up . . . wish we would have waited to teach them how to talk . . .

Good luck . . .

Answer 10

Every child develops in their own time, and some are more cautious than others. Relax and enjoy your child and encourage her. If after a while longer you are still concerned that there might be a problem then talk to her doctor, that's what they are there for.