at what age do babies walk?

[Debbi]

At what age does normal, healthy babies start walking? My niece's baby started walking at 9 months but my other niece's baby is 10 months old and still only crawls. My nieces are sisters and the babies are 3 weeks apart in age. the younger baby came a month early and still don't walk yet and my niece is worried her baby is a little slow. Her baby don't have as many teeth, don't talk or do things that her cousin does yet or weigh as much. But then she only weighed 4 lbs and something at birth. Does being premature factor in on child development that late or is she still like in a "normal" range? Is there some kind of baby development chart on the web somewhere about what is normal range?

 

[mamaneenie]

At what age does normal, healthy babies start walking? Anywhere from 9 mths to 18mths I believe is considered normal. My son was 11mths, when he took his first step, but it was at least another 2 months before he was really stable on his feet. I have seen babies who are not walking until at least 17mths, but when they do, they are really good on their feet almost straight away.

My niece's baby started walking at 9 months but my other niece's baby is 10 months old and still only crawls.

I really hope they are not trying to compare the babies. I have been guiltyof comparing babies, and no-one wins out in the end.

My nieces are sisters and the babies are 3 weeks apart in age. the younger baby came a month early and still don't walk yet and my niece is worried her baby is a little slow. Her baby don't have as many teeth, don't talk or do things that her cousin does yet or weigh as much. But then she only weighed 4 lbs and something at birth. Does being premature factor in on child development that late or is she still like in a "normal" range?

I don't have any experience with premature babies, but I do believe that babies who are premature take a little longer than full term babies to reach developmental milestones. I have seen quite a few babies who are still crawling at 10 mths (mine was) it is not something to worry about. My son also didn't get his first teeth until 11mths, that is normal too. Also, he didn't say is first word until after 18 mths and now is talking 3 or 4 word sentences. There is a wide variation in "normal" development.

Is there some kind of baby development chart on the web somewhere about what is normal range?[/QUOTE]
I'm not entirely sure about the rules of posting web sites on CF, but I usually go to Babycentre.co.uk. There is also an American version as well.

 

[Evening Mist]

My babies both walked around 12 months.

I too would warn her to avoid "comparing" children. This can only lead to hard feelings between mothers, and eventually hard feelings for the child as well.

 

[Tami]

I believe that if your child is pre-mature that they will reach their milestones at a later pace but it's not necessarily true for all babies. For instance, if you have a 4 month old that was born 2 months early. Developmentally, your baby is a 2 month old and you should figure their milestones based on that. So if the normal walking range is 9-18 months for full-term babies then it would be 11-20 months for your child since he was born early. I think I read that in a parenting magazine a long time ago.

Tami

 

[Tangnefedd]

Babies walk when they are ready, anything between about 8 months and 2 years, the average being about 12 months.

 

[Tami]

Here's a site that explains developmental milestones. It says that if your baby deviates from the chart by one or 2 months that it's not a big deal. It explains how doctors determine the development of what should be normal for preemies.

http://www.cicc4kids.org/dmc_Dev_Mile_523.asp?f=dmc

 

[sunshine]

I didn't walk til 18 months. the day that I began walking, I just got up and walked all around the house, no problem. I was a strange child LOL

 

[HeatherJay]

My oldest was 13 months when she walked, my youngest was 10 months. As far as teeth go, goodness, I thought my youngest would NEVER get teeth. Finally, right before she started walking, she got her second tooth. Yeah, don't compare babies...go with your doctor's advice and believe him/her when they assure you you have a healthy child, despite their milestones.

 

[E-beth]

My son didn't kick until a month or so after I read he was supposed to start. He didn't have a hair on his head until after he was a year old. He didn't crawl until about 10 months, and didn't have a tooth until after his first birthday. He crawled only long enough to crawl over to something to pull himself up. He walked only a month after crawling.

My doctor said at his 18 month checkup that he should know about ten words. My son knew only about 4. Now at 21 months, he is smart as a tack, has a mouthful of teeth, a head of hair, and I can barely keep up with him.

The lesson I learned is, when he is ready to do things he will, and do them like a pro.

 

[mamaneenie]

My doctor said at his 18 month checkup that he should know about ten words. My son knew only about 4. Now at 21 months, he is smart as a tack, has a mouthful of teeth, a head of hair, and I can barely keep up with him.

My son was the same. He hardly said a word until just after his second birthday, but now he is talking in sentences. He just strings words together like he's been talking for 6 months or more.

 

[Pastor_Benjamin]

Im thinking 7 or 8 months old is when they start walking.

 

[Pastor_Benjamin]

My sister never crawled. One day she grabbed onto a chair to pull herself up and ran down the hallway to our surprise.

 

[Evening Mist]

Im thinking 7 or 8 months old is when they start walking.

Thats really early. If a baby walks at 7 or 8 months -- watch out! You're in for some intersting adventures! Most babies don't even sit up unsupported until 6 months.

I really think 12 months is average. 10 months is on the early end of normal. 18 months is also within the range of normal, but pushing the envelope a bit.

 

[hisbloodformysins]

My son "army crawled" until he was 11 months, and took his first step before his 1st birthday. He didn't actually start walking though until he was 14 months. I think that the reason why is that my son is very big for his age, and it's said that it's harder for the bigger ones to balance and so sometimes they are later bloomers, whereas I little light baby is probaby more likely to start at say 9 months. But it's a broad spectrum as to what's normal, it really depends on the child. I've heard that some very normal healthy children didn't walk until they were 3 because they just didn't have the desire or ambition. If a baby isn't walking by the time they're one doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the child- it's really individualized and not really that important, doesn't make one child any smarter or any more advanced than the other- well, except for the fact that they are walking. It's actually not overly common for a child to walk as early as 9 months I think, though it does happen.

 

[hisbloodformysins]

OH and, yes, prematurity may cause some delays. I know of 2 other babies my son's age that were premature, and they were further behind my son in mile stones. But doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them or that they aren't as smart as another.

 

[bigat]

My daughter was early. She started walking, with help, at 7 months. Was on her own at 8 months. Let them crawl as long as they want! It's easier to catch them! Once they start walking - you never sit down!

 

[hisbloodformysins]

Wow, 7 months is very early.. though I heard of one that started when he was 6 months....

 

[Tami]

My mom says that my oldest brother walked when he was 6 months old. He didn't walk all over the place but he did take steps here and there by himself. I think it's highly unusual though. At least I've never seen a baby that young take any steps by himself.

 

[beinesther]

I have 3 children, 2 daughters & 1 son, each one of them so unique. But each has Gods fingerprints all over them. My daughters walked at 8 and 11 months, my son was the slow poke, he waited until he was 15 months old. - Just love em and learn from em