How and when your baby will learn to walk

You can encourage your baby to walk, but it's important not to rush or pressurise her into it too soon. If she senses any sort of disapproval or impatience from you it can really slow her progress down. A baby's confidence in her abilities is as important to her physical development as her co-ordination and muscle strength.

When will my baby make the transition from crawling to walking?

There's an incredibly wide range in the age at which children learn to walk. Many walk by 12 months but some don't even venture a first step until well into their second year. The transition from crawling to cruising (walking around holding the furniture) to solo walking happens at different times for different babies.

Cruising will be followed by walking, which normally starts at around 11 to 13 months. Some babies start walking at around nine months, others as late as 14 or 15 months.