What constitutes "walking by 18 months"?

[Olivetti]

My DD is 17 months, and can take some unaided steps, stand alone, and walk holding hands. But she still prefers knee-walking! Does the "by 18 months" milestone mean walking all the time, or does it mean technically they can walk unaided?

I think, if she can do all that, it means you don't need to worry about whether she's walking full time or not when she's 18 months, because she's obviously capable.

Thanks rabbit. I have had her checked out, and she seems ok, but I was just wondering how they would be considered to have "achieved" the milestone.

Many children dont walk till their almost 2 or even gone 2....and go on to have NO issues!! 18 months is a guidline, and an average.....if she is capable, showing no signs of struggling in the broad sense...and has been checked over and cleared....then dont worry! xxxx :D

I had no idea about the 18m milestone which is just as well really as dd wouldn't even stand unaided until 21 m.

She's fine btw. Don't worry they just write random words in your red book to worry you. (ds has 6 weeks to learn 46 words).

Ah yes, effingwotsits, but what constitutes "words"? Do they have to be comprehensible to anyone but the parents?!.... Is it all about pronunciation, consistency of (wrong) pronunciation, or comprehension? Frankly, I think most of the milestones are stupid, because they are all inadequately explained and backed up - almost as though they were jotted down on the back of a fag packet years ago by someone in a bit of a hurry who didn't want to have to think about it too much.

THANK YOU rabbit! How do they make up the milestones? According to things I've read, she's doing some things only a 4-year-old should be able to do, and not doing things a newborn should be able to do!! I exaggerate, but they do seem totally random.