By Desiree Frigenti – Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist & Director of Ocean Kids Health.
Hello again!
Encouraging Your Baby to Take Their First Steps
Watching your baby take those first wobbly steps is one of the most exciting milestones of early childhood. It’s a big moment — for them and for you! Every child develops at their own pace, but there are many gentle ways to help your little one build strength, confidence, and balance as they learn to walk.
1. Build Strong Foundations
Walking doesn’t happen overnight — it’s the result of lots of smaller skills coming together. Babies need strong muscles in their tummy, legs, and hips, as well as good balance and coordination. You can support this by encouraging:
• Tummy time to strengthen the neck, shoulders, and back.
• Rolling and crawling to develop coordination and balance.
• Pulling up to stand using low furniture or your hands.
These early movements help your baby gain control of their body and prepare for standing and stepping.
2. Let Them Go Barefoot
Whenever it’s safe to do so, let your baby explore barefoot. Feeling the floor helps them develop balance and body awareness (known as proprioception). If shoes are needed outdoors, choose soft, flexible soles that allow their feet to move naturally.
3. Encourage Cruising
Before independent walking comes “cruising” — when babies walk sideways while holding onto furniture. Set up a safe space with sturdy surfaces they can move between, like a couch and a low table. This helps build balance and teaches them how to shift their weight from one foot to the other.
4. Make It Playful
Babies learn best through play. Try fun, movement-based activities like:
• Rolling a ball back and forth.
• Placing favourite toys/ person a short distance away.
• Singing, clapping, and dancing together.
Keep it light and positive — laughter and encouragement go a long way!
5. Offer Support (But Let Them Lead)
It’s tempting to hold your baby’s hands while they walk, but it’s even better to let them find their own balance. Instead of pulling them forward, you can support them gently around their hips or trunk or provide a push toy or sturdy box to hold onto. This helps them develop strength and confidence independently.
6. Be Patient and Celebrate Every Step
Every child’s journey to walking is unique. Some babies take their first steps around 10 months, while others may not walk confidently until closer to 18 months. Celebrate all progress — from standing with support to those first unsteady steps — and try not to compare.
When to Check In
If your baby isn’t showing interest in standing or cruising by around 15 months, it’s a good idea to chat with your child health Nurse, Physiotherapist, or GP. Sometimes a little extra support or guidance can make a big difference.
The Bottom Line:
Encouraging walking is all about giving your baby time, space, and confidence to explore movement. With plenty of play, patience, and encouragement, those first steps will come — and soon you’ll be chasing after your little explorer!
References:
References
1. World Health Organization. (2006). WHO motor development study: Windows of achievement for gross motor milestones. Geneva: World Health Organization.
2. Wijnhoven, T. M. A., Schneider, P., & Iverson, J. M. (2024). Social dynamics of supported walking in 11-month-old infants. Infant Behavior and Development.
3. Pajulo, M., & colleagues. (2016). Early developmental milestones and age of independent walking in orphans compared with typical home-raised infants. Early Child Development and Care.
4. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2025). Developmental milestones record. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
5. Parent Data (Oster, E.). (2025). When do babies start walking? ParentData.org.
Desiree Frigenti
Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist
