How to encourage my DD to walk alone

[Mommabear20]

DD is 15 months old, and is a very confident walker if she's holding onto something, be it furniture or a hand, however she out right refuses to walk unassisted! Am I wrong to think she should be walking alone by now? How did you encourage your kids to walk?

I think the usual thing is to put something really enticing behind her, at her level, just far enough away that she has to let go of furniture for a moment, but not far enough to be worth getting down on the floor to crawl. So if she's cruising on the sofa, put something on coffee table just out of reach behind her. We did this with two sofas facing each other, and eventually moved further apart. It's lovely when they take that little leap of faith!

Does she stand alone yet? That's probably the first thing if not. I gently encouraged mine to do this by taking her hands and clapping them together then encouraging her to do it herself and she'd get carried away then suddendly realise she was standing alone Otherwise having a favourite toy a bit away or sitting with someone else a opposite you and encouraging her to walk between the 2 of you might also work. I wouldn't push too much though. The tummy time is good for them and walking isn't considered late until 18MO. Mine wasn't especially early walking and is amazing physically. Brilliant balance and co-ordination and riding a pedal bike no stabilisers just a few days after her 3rd birthday. I also have a niece who walked at 10MO but is umbelievably clumsy. It's a less important milestone than you think x

Yes, she stands alone very well! She'll walk absolutely fine if she's got something to hold onto, but absolutely refuses to do it by herself 🤦‍♀️