How to encourage walking?

[ellesabe]

Dd is 16mo and an absolute pro at crawling. She stands at and cruises around furniture but WILL NOT let go! She also has a walker thing which she is good at and can walk holding my hand for up to ten steps.

I know that she will walk when she's ready but I'm 7 weeks pregnant and absolutely exhausted. It's so tiring having to lug her around and every time I lean down to pick her up I get a massive head rush and feel really sick It's making me not want to take her out places because it wrecks me!

Is there anything else I can do to encourage her to walk? It probably doesn't help that she is quite tall (over 75th centile) but has tiny feet (3.5)!!!

It is true that she will walk when she's ready, but sometimes it can be frustrating waiting when they seem just on the cusp of taking those first steps.
Does she seem ready to walk on her own? Does she seem to have enough strength and balance?
If so, you might need to help her to realise that she could walk alone if only she'd try.
What happens if you hold one hand, but not both? That might help with her confidence, but allow her to control her own balance.
Do you have any pull-along or push-along toys? Small children usually love those. The chance to play with one might really give the incentive she needs.

she will get there when she is ready! my dd is 16mth and a crawling pro but at home she walks everywhere using her wheelybug as a push a long, she can do it with one hand! and walks holding onto my fingertip, cruises the furniture etc, she has taken up to 7 steps on her own and she stands for ages and dances, claps etc when standing so she COULD walk but she chooses not to! she just grins and laughs at me when i try to get her to walk, but last night she stood up and took a few steps (5ish) on her own with no cajouling etc. as i said she can do it and i am sure she will soon enough :)

it is hard but dont wish these baby days away, my dd is no 5, and whilst i am thrilled at her learning to walk, i am also slightly sad as she is growing up.

my dd is tall and has size 4 feet, i dont think their feet size makes any difference, my friends dd has size 1.5 feet and she is already walking!

with regards to picking her up, my dd will pull up to standing on my legs (she can get to standing on her own by crouching adn then pushing up with her hands) can you encourage her to do that so then she is easier to pick up, or if you sit down and get her to climb on your lap so you can pick her up that way?

it is hard, done the toddler and pregnant 4 times now! but it will soon be over xxx