Your baby is already pulling himself up and starting to clumsily put one foot in front of the other. It’s a moment that, on the one hand, fills you with joy and pride—we can already see you rushing to grab your phone or camera to capture the milestone—and, on the other hand, makes you exclaim: How is he growing so fast already? Before he can run on his two little feet, however, your baby will need to go through several essential stages, some shorter and some longer. As a parent, even if you feel impatient, it’s important to let him progress at his own pace. But at what age does a child walk? And how can you support him as he learns to walk? We reveal everything in this article.

At what age does a child take their first steps?

A child takes their first steps on average between 9 and 18 months . Some children will learn to walk a little earlier, others a little later. Don’t worry—being “late” in this sense has nothing to do with intelligence or poor development.

Every child takes the time they need. Keep in mind that parents can also have an influence: if you or your partner took your first steps late, it’s likely that your little one will, too.

This is also a period full of learning, during which a child can generally focus on only one thing at a time.

So it’s possible that your little explorer focuses on language or fine motor skills first, and walking comes later. No problem—support each stage of their development with love and patience, and soon… you’ll be chasing after them everywhere!

"My son still isn't walking": when to worry?

If your little explorer isn't walking yet after 18 months but is scooting on his bottom, crawling on all fours, knows how to sit, and seems very active, there’s usually nothing to worry about. What’s the point of rushing when he can already explore the world in his own way? He will stand up when he’s ready.

However, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician or doctor after eighteen months to ensure everything is going well. If your child shows no signs of motor development and does not move their limbs within 15 months , it will also be necessary to schedule an appointment with a specialist .

Apart from these cases, the golden rule is patience . Before being able to stand, your baby will need to develop many skills such as balance, coordination, body awareness, and spatial awareness. With each step, his muscles become a little more toned, helping him tackle the next one.

As you can see, it’s quite a program—and it can take some time!

Child's first steps: what are the stages?

The baby learns to turn onto their tummy

Curious about what’s around him, the first step is gradually learning to turn onto his belly.

Crawls and crawls on all fours

After mastering the sitting position, your little explorer can have fun scooting on their bottom or crawling on all fours. If they skip the crawling stage, don’t worry—some children simply don’t feel the need for it.

Stand with support

Your little one is discovering verticality. Now they can experience the world around them from a different perspective—a big change! At first, they’ll need to hold onto furniture to stand up (yes, you can’t wait for them to walk, but you may think differently soon!). They will gradually start moving sideways, always holding onto a support. During this phase, they learn to lift their foot instead of sliding it, and to transfer weight from one leg to the other.

The time of taking your first steps alone

The child is able to stand on their own, without support. Once they feel ready and stable, they will dare to let go and take their first steps without help. At first, they will be hesitant and awkward, and will fall often—especially because they may have trouble slowing down once in motion, even when faced with an obstacle.
Their walk will gradually gain confidence and speed over time. You’ll need to be patient: it can take until the age of 2 or 3 years before learning to run . At that point, it will be difficult for you to even keep up with him and, in fact, you may miss the calm of the stroller!
The transition from the first assisted steps to independent walking can therefore take time: 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. As they get used to it, they may alternate with crawling.

How can you help the child to walk?

Encourage him

Don’t hesitate to congratulate him and reassure him. A child who develops under the benevolent gaze of their parents will learn to walk with more pleasure and confidence. However, it’s important to support him without pressure and without haste.

Respect his rhythm

You may not be able to wait to see your little one stand up and run, but be careful not to rush him. A child learns to walk on their own; it’s important not to force the process. Don’t lift your child unless he initiates it, as his muscles and brain are not yet developed enough for the adventure. Also, avoid overly persistent or pressuring encouragement.

Let him explore it alone

As soon as possible, take him out of the cradle, the playpen, or the high chair. Thanks to his curiosity, he will progress on his own. The more you let him crawl and move freely, the easier it will be for him to learn to walk. Let him play on his mat for several hours a day and experiment by himself, without overstimulating him. Your little explorer will feel more confident in his abilities when he faces different challenges on his own.

Avoid holding both hands to help him walk

When you try to help him walk, you might be tempted to hold his hands, raising his arms above his head. Avoid this: this position can throw off his balance, and your child might become dependent on the adult, thinking he needs a hand to move forward. Don’t worry—he will manage on his own through trial and error.

Put a toy up high

A little trick to encourage him to stand on his own: place some of his favorite toys up high. To reach them, he’ll be motivated to stand up.

Choose suitable clothes

To explore and experiment, your child needs to move freely without feeling restricted. Dress them in soft, comfortable clothes to give them more freedom. Avoid materials like jeans, which can be too restrictive. The same goes for diapers: Lillydoo diapers are specially designed for active explorers. Thanks to their optimal support and gentle formula on the skin, our diapers can accompany your little one as they discover the world.

Reset it in case of a fall

Falls are an integral part of learning to walk! The child will often land on their little bottom. If they fall, reassure them calmly, try not to react excessively, and encourage them to get back up.

How to create a safe environment at home?

Before he can move freely, your little explorer needs to practice. To encourage him, let him explore certain areas of the house at his own pace, while making sure he can move around in a safe environment.

Here are some things to pay attention to:

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

• Check that the furniture is stable and properly secured so that the child can lean on it without risk.
  

• Remove any valuable, fragile, or hazardous objects.
  

• Put safety barriers on stairs and doors where they are not allowed to go.
  

Which toys can help the child learn to walk?

A stroller is a great idea to help the child take their first steps. By pulling and pushing, they can practice balance, which is essential for learning to walk. Also recommended is the balance bike : not only will he be very happy to be able to ride his bike, but he will also build muscle by pushing to move forward.

The girello is, instead, strongly discouraged by early childhood professionals . It can delay learning to walk and lead to poor posture. Suspended in his seat, the child pushes off on tiptoe to move forward, without properly placing the entire sole of the foot on the ground. He also becomes less familiar with the concept of distance due to the structure of the walker, and moves at high speed, increasing the risk of accidents.

Which shoes are suitable for a child's first steps?

It’s hard not to fall in love with adorable children's shoes. However, during their first steps, the child needs to walk barefoot as much as possible. The many sensory receptors located under the feet help him better feel contact with the ground and the differences in terrain. The muscles of the feet will also develop better, helping the child build stability and coordination. At home, let him go barefoot as much as possible.

In winter, if it’s cold, you can cover your little one’s feet with non-slip socks . Sneakers should be reserved for outdoor activities: choose a closed, lightweight model with a very flexible sole and heel counter. Don’t buy a size larger in the hope of using them longer; they must fit perfectly to their size.

Learning to walk is a long process, and patience is essential. There’s no rush—your little explorer will soon be an exceptional walker.