Walking Worries: Common Concerns About Kids Walking

Six or seven million years ago, our ancestors stood on two feet and walked—a milestone in evolution. A baby's early steps can seem just as momentous to you and your child. "Once kids become upright, their worldview and their view of themselves begins to expand," says child psychologist Carol Baicker-McKee, Ph.D. Walking separates babies from toddlers, so for parents, it signifies that their child is growing up.

No wonder we have so many worries about this developmental high point: Will my baby walk on time? Does walking late mean they'll be unathletic? What should we do to fix their pigeon toes? Read on to learn more about these common walking worries.

My Baby Is Slow To Crawl

While most kids crawl for at least three months before walking, not all will follow the typical progression -- rolling, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, standing alone, cruising, and then walking. In fact, in recent years, as parents have been putting babies to sleep on their backs to help prevent SIDS, kids are on their stomachs less and get fewer opportunities to work the neck and trunk muscles that facilitate crawling. "As a result, many kids are crawling later -- and some skip it and go straight to walking," says Laura Levine, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and author of Child Development: An Active Learning Approach.

It's fine to give your child an incentive to crawl, such as putting them on the floor and placing a few toys just beyond their reach.

While crawling is not critical to typical development, it is important that your child develops the ability to use the muscles on both sides of their body, which can be seen when they're scooting on their tummy. "Kids don't develop handedness until age 2," explains Dr. Davidson, so if your little one favors one side, only rolls in one direction, or always uses the same foot when scooting, see your doctor to rule out possible neurological problems.

My Baby Is Late to Walk

It may seem like every kid in the playgroup is walking except yours, but it's normal for kids to start toddling any time between 8 and 17 months of age (or later if your baby was born prematurely).

If your kid is on the slower side, it doesn't mean they will be less coordinated or intelligent than their peers, she says. 'Still, most pediatricians will evaluate a baby who isn't walking by 18 months—just to make sure there isn't an underlying problem."

About half of all kids will walk by age 1, and 90% will walk by 15 months. "When a child isn't walking by this point, I first check to see if a confidence issue might be holding him back—he may be scared to take steps without a hand to hold, say—or if he doesn't have the balance or strength to walk on his own," says Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D., author of Toddler 411.

If confidence is the issue, Dr. Brown recommends letting your kid practice with a walking toy, like a kid-size grocery cart, or a product like Walking Wings, designed to let them walk while you hold on for added support. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, avoid baby walkers, which can be dangerous (a child can fall down the stairs) and actually delay walking. Finally, try not to push your child to walk independently until they're ready. "It can cause stress and end up delaying those first steps," says Dr. Baicker-McKee.

My Baby Walks With a Funny Stride

When your toddler starts wobbling along on two feet, their legs will likely be slightly bowed—a holdover from their position in the womb. This should self-correct by age 3.

Walking with one's feet turned a little inward or outward isn't typically a concern, either. "Most of the time, the issue resolves with practice," says Dr. Brown.

However, doctors may take note if your child persistently walks on their toes. Dr. Brown says that some kids like gripping with their toes; others do it because they have short Achilles tendons, making it harder for them to plant their feet. If your child can't relax their feet and plant them firmly on the ground, have your pediatrician investigate.

Although toe-walking has been linked with some developmental problems, including autism, most toe-walkers do not have autism. Unless other delays accompany the behavior, it's probably just one of many phases your kid will go through. Says Dr. Davidson, "Before you know it, she'll be running everywhere, and you'll be wondering, 'Why did I want this kid to walk so soon?'"