Your little one is already standing and starting to clumsily put one foot in front of the other. Baby’s first steps are a truly special event! What joy and pride it is to see your little explorer start walking. A moment you’ll quickly capture in photos or videos to share with the whole family. But before they can run around on their two little feet, your child will need to go through several essential stages—some shorter, some longer. As a parent, even if you’re impatient, you’ll need to let them progress at their own pace. At what age does a baby walk? How can you support them in learning to walk? We tell you everything in this article.

At what age does a baby take their first steps?

A baby takes their first steps, on average, between 9 and 18 months. Some children learn to walk a little earlier, others a little later. Rest assured: late walking has nothing to do with intelligence or poor development. Each child takes the time they need to reach this milestone. Parents also play a role: if you or your partner took your first steps late, chances are your little one will do the same. This is also a period rich in learning, during which a child can generally only absorb one thing at a time. So it’s possible that your little explorer is focused on language or fine motor skills; walking will come later. So even if other parents around you marvel, saying, “Lucas is standing up all by himself!”, it’s useless to compare your child to others; they’re simply following their own rhythm!

Baby not walking: when to worry?

If your little adventurer still isn’t walking after 18 months but is moving around on their bottom, crawling, able to sit up, and seems very active, there is usually no cause for concern. After all, what’s the rush when they can already explore the world as they wish? They will start walking when they feel ready. However, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician or doctor after eighteen months to ensure everything is fine. If your child shows no signs of motor development and does not move their limbs before fifteen months, it is also necessary to schedule an appointment with a specialist.

Apart from these cases, the golden rule is patience. Before being able to stand up, baby will need to develop many skills, such as balance, coordination, and awareness of their body and space. At each stage, their muscles will become a little stronger, helping them progress to the next. Quite a program—one that can take time!

Baby's first steps: what are the stages?

Baby learns to turn onto their stomach: your little one is able to hold their head up and control its movements. Curious about what is around them, they will gradually turn onto their tummy.

He crawls and walks on all fours: after mastering the sitting position, your little explorer will be able to have fun crawling, moving on their bottom, or walking on all fours. They will then gain independence. If they skip the "all fours" stage, don’t worry—some children don’t feel the need for it.

He is standing with a support: your little one is discovering verticality. They can now explore the world around them from a different perspective—a big change! At first, they need to lean on furniture to manage to stand up. Then they will gradually start walking sideways, always holding onto a support. During this stage, they will learn to lift their foot rather than slide it, and to transfer their weight from one leg to the other. A real balancing act that they will soon master like a pro.

The time of taking your first steps alone : baby manages to stand upright on his own, without support. Once he feels ready and stable, he will dare to let go of his hands to take his first steps without help. At first, they are hesitant and awkward. His gait is adorable, especially since he is very proud of himself! Small falls are not uncommon, especially since he has trouble slowing down once he’s started, even when facing an obstacle.

They will gradually become more confident and faster over time. You will need to wait until they are 2 or 3 years old before they learn to run. By then, it may even be difficult to keep up with them!

The time between the first assisted steps with support and walking can therefore take a while: days, weeks, or even months. Your little explorer must master balance to stand without any help, then feel ready to lift one foot, then the other. During this adjustment period, they may alternate between walking and crawling. Since each child is unique, they will embark on the great adventure of walking when they feel sufficiently ready.

How to help baby walk?

Encourage him: Don’t hesitate to praise and reassure them. A child who grows up under the caring gaze of their parents will learn to walk with more joy and confidence. However, it is important to support them without pressure and without rushing.

Respect its rhythm: Vous avez hâte de voir votre tout-petit se mettre debout et cavaler, mais attention à ne pas le presser. Un enfant apprend à marcher tout seul, il est important de ne pas précipiter les choses. Il risquerait alors de passer à côté de certaines étapes essentielles sans avoir le temps de poser bases solides. Ne mettez pas votre enfant debout si cela ne vient pas de sa propre initiative, car ses muscles et son cerveau ne sont pas encore suffisamment développés pour tenter l’aventure. Évitez aussi les encouragements trop insistants et pressants.

Let him explore on his own: as soon as possible, take them out of their bouncer, playpen, or high chair. Thanks to their curiosity, they will progress on their own. The more you let them crawl and move freely, the easier learning to walk will be. Let them play on their activity mat for several hours a day and explore on their own, without overstimulating them. Your little explorer will feel more confident in their abilities if they take on different challenges by themselves.

Avoid holding both of his hands to help him walk: When you try to help him walk, you might be tempted to hold his hands, keeping his arms in the air. However, this is a reflex to avoid. This position can disrupt his balance, and your child could become dependent on the adult, thinking he needs a hand to move forward. Don’t worry—he will manage on his own through repeated attempts.

Place a toy at a height: a little trick to encourage them to sit up on their own: place some of their favorite toys up high!

Choose suitable clothing: your little explorer needs to be able to move as they wish without feeling restricted. Dress them in soft, comfortable clothes to give them more freedom. Avoid materials like denim, which can feel too restrictive. When it comes to diapers, they also need to feel comfortable. We have specifically developed diapers designed for active adventurers. Thanks to their optimal support and skin-friendly formula, our culottes will be able to accompany your little one in their discovery of the world. ;)

Reassure them in case of a fall: Falls are an integral part of learning to walk! Baby will often end up on their bottom. If they fall, reassure them calmly by trying not to overreact, and encourage them to get back up.

How to create a safe environment at home?

Before you can let your little explorer run around freely, they need to practice. To stimulate them, let them explore certain rooms of the house at their own pace, ensuring they can do so in a safe environment.

Here are some elements to watch out for:

• Cover the corners of furniture with protectors to prevent injuries.

• Ensure that the furniture is stable and properly secured so that the baby can lean on it safely.

• Remove any valuable objects (otherwise say goodbye to grandma's beautiful vase!), fragile items, or anything likely to fall.

• Install safety barriers at staircases and doors where he is not allowed to go.

What toys help baby in learning to walk?

The walking cart is a very good idea to help baby with their first steps. By pulling and pushing it, they will be able to experience imbalance, which is essential in learning to walk. Choose a sturdy model that doesn’t go too fast, suitable for baby’s first awkward steps. Another must-have to support baby in their development is the ride-on toy. Not only will they be very happy to move around on their little vehicle, but they will also develop their muscles by pushing it to move forward.

However, the walker (also called a "youpala") is strongly discouraged by early childhood professionals. It can delay learning to walk and lead to poor posture. Suspended in its seat, the child pushes off the tips of their toes to move forward, without being fully supported on their weight-bearing points. They also have less control over distance perception due to the structure of the walker and move at high speed, increasing the risk of accidents.

What shoes for baby's first steps?

It’s hard to resist those adorable little children’s shoes. However, during their first steps, baby needs to walk barefoot as much as possible. The many sensory receptors located under the feet help them better feel their support and the differences between surfaces. The muscles of the feet will also develop better, enabling the child to build stability and coordination. At home, let them run around barefoot as much as possible. In winter, if it’s cold, you can put them in non-slip socks. First-steps shoes should be reserved for outdoors. Choose a closed, lightweight model with a very flexible sole and a heel counter. Do not take a size up in hopes of keeping them longer; they must fit their foot size perfectly.

The acquisition of walking is therefore a lengthy process during which it is essential to be patient. Nothing is urgent; your little adventurer will soon be an exceptional walker. ;)