How to encourage baby to walk?

[Weebumshuffler]

DD is nearly 16 mos and not yet walking. She is making progress (has gone from bum shuffling to crab crawl to cruising and can go from sitting to standing with no support and hold her position for quite some time, a minute or more!) But this is where we have levelled off, she then takes one step and falls into my lap or sits down on her bum and goes back to shuffling to where she wants to go.

I know al babies go at their own pace but it feels like she’s not interested in walking?. I’m aware bum shufflers can walk later because they can use their hands so don’t “need” to walk like crawlers do. And of course I love her and enjoy every moment with her, but she does seem somewhat frustrated that she can’t get around quicker. And she’s quite heavy and it’s tiring to carry her! Any suggestions for encouraging her to walk or is it just waiting until she’s ready?

Agree with the posters saying don't worry! She'll get there :)

Saw a 'trend' thing online about giving baby a ball in each hand when they stand and them suddenly walking (maybe a balance thing, or more likely just a trend/thing for likes) If you try it, let us know if it works :)

@Roollie sounds like ours are quite similar! I’m sure we’ll get there eventually! I’ll keep cheering her on for all of her many efforts ☺️

@Justfinking shes got one of those trolleys to push with blocks, not a sit-in walker/saucer, those I believe are not good for muscle development

Push along trolleys are actually not very good before they can walk independently. They need to go through their floor-based movements to properly strengthen the core muscles to support walking and for the brain-floor balance connection to kick in.

I'd be interested if this works for OP because I saw this trend and tried it and mine just threw the balls on the floor 😂

@Roollie mine too! Or she bats them away 😂

@coloursquare I am surprised to hear this! I'd always heard if they work it out independently, they're alright? We've got that cheap and cheerful ikea high chair, for example, and she's been pulling herself up on it and using it as a walking aide for ages now! same with her block trolley...

@Weebumshuffler well it won't do any harm (obviously) but it doesn't speed up walking independently (not that you need to speed it up).

Just here to second watching The Baby Race. My baby was ‘late’ to all of his milestones, but he got there in his own time and is a physically strong and capable little boy now. I was on the cusp of worrying about each ‘late’ milestone, but he got there each time and I didn’t need to worry.
I had a bit of a Judo (as in Bluey) baby nextdoor to do unhelpful comparisons with. While my boy invented his own language for us to learn, rather than him learning ours, the kid next door was able to repeat really long words and speak in full sentences at 2 if not before - he was so ‘advanced’! I chose to think my lad was very clever to make up his own language and admired his unique approach! Both boys now very similar in capabilities now, both intelligent, able boys.

My DD cruised at eight months and didn’t walk till 17 months - she’s mobile, so whatever works for her is good enough for now.

I'm not crying ... (sniff 🥲🤣)