Baby Development: Walking

As your baby gets ready to start walking, his world is changing in so many ways. Little Davey is already taking charge of his life. He was 11-10 at birth, and everyone said the bigger the baby, the longer it's going to take for him to walk. Then, at ten and a half months old, it happened. Traditionally we're taught that babies walk at one year, but some babies walk at nine months. Ninety percent of babies are walking by 17 months. There we go. The early signs your baby is ready to walk is his ability to pull himself up on furniture, cruise and walk with assistance, and squat down, pick up a toy, and stand up again. Babies love it. They crave it. Once they're up and walking, they may take off and just do it all the time. Of course, with walking comes independence. Now that he can make choices about where he wants to be, there's a whole new set of challenges for your baby and you. New walkers are scary. All they know how to do is walk, and they don't know what's safe and what's not safe. As a parent, create the safest environment possible where your baby doesn't repeatedly hear, no. That's not for you to touch. Cover all sharp edges, brace loose furniture, hide wires, block off steps, secure cleaning supplies, and definitely give your child his own cabinet in the kitchen. It will keep him out of trouble. It's getting a lot harder because you have to be with him for everything. Expect bedtime to be rough. When my children were learning how to walk, all bets were off. They'd be bad sleepers, they wouldn't be developing language skills, as if every ounce of their being was obsessed with walking. Your new walker may also develop heightened separation anxiety. You can see them almost like in their head saying, oh my gosh, where is she? I better turn around and go back. The natural stance for most new walkers is a wide-based gait. Experts say there's no need to worry if your baby starts out a little pigeon-toed. Your baby's feet usually correct themselves the more your baby walks. As the toddler gets older, that ankle bone moves backwards and it pulls the baby's foot with it. But do talk to your baby's doctor if you notice any of these signs. Walking on toes more than six months, a sign your baby might have a tight Achilles tendon. Uneven leg length, which may also look like an unsteady gait. Suddenly stopped walking, which could be an emotional or medical issue. As for the adorable baby shoes you just have to get, bare feet are best. Babies really need to feel the floor under their feet and that will give them a better sense of where they are. Bye-bye baby, hello toddler. From the womb to walking, your baby's on the move.