My Toddler Isn't Walking Yet: When to Wait and When to Worry

Sep 24

3 min read

Updated: Oct 28

First steps are one of the most anticipated milestones of the first year, which is exactly why it can feel so stressful when your toddler isn't there yet. Here's what I tell parents in my own practice.

What's the typical range?

Most children take their first independent steps somewhere between 9 and 15 months, with many walking around 12 months. Some perfectly healthy children walk a bit later. Walking is the end result of many smaller skills coming together: strength, balance, coordination, and confidence.

The building blocks

Before walking, children usually learn to pull to stand, cruise along furniture, stand without support, and squat down to pick up a toy and come back up. If your child is working on these steps, that's a great sign that walking is on its way.

Signs it's worth getting checked

Talk with your pediatrician or a pediatric PT if your child:

Isn't pulling to stand or cruising by around 12 months
Isn't walking by about 18 months
Walks only on their toes most of the time
Has a limp, or uses one leg much more than the other
Seems unusually stiff, floppy, or falls much more than other children their age
Has lost a skill they previously had

If your child was born early, ask your doctor about using their corrected age.

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How to help at home

Go barefoot as much as possible. Bare feet help children feel the ground and build balance. Save shoes for outdoors.
Set up cruising routes. Arrange sturdy furniture so there's a safe path to follow, with an enticing toy at the end.
Use a sturdy push toy. Choose one that's weighted enough not to zoom away.
Practice squatting. Place toys on the floor so your child has to squat down, pick them up, and stand back up.
Hold hands, not the torso. Walking with your child by holding both of their hands lets them practice stepping while keeping their own balance.
Skip the baby walker. Walkers don't help babies walk sooner and are a safety risk.
Celebrate attempts. Falls are part of learning. A soft play space makes it less scary for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for a 14-month-old not to be walking?

Yes, it can be. Many healthy children walk between 9 and 15 months. Talk with your pediatrician if your child isn't walking by about 18 months, or sooner if they aren't pulling to stand or cruising by 12 months.

Do shoes help my baby learn to walk?

Bare feet are best indoors. They help children feel the floor and build balance.

Do baby walkers help babies walk sooner?

No. Walkers don't speed up walking and they're a safety risk.

Achieve Milestones in 3-Weeks!

My 3-Week Walking Challenge gives you a simple daily plan to build the strength, balance, and confidence your toddler needs to take those first steps. If you'd like personalized guidance on what your child needs, milestone coaching can help you figure out the right next step.