how can i build confidence re walking.

[GlitterTwinkleToes]

DD is 13mo. Been cruising for a good couple of months now, hasn't fallen in over four weeks (high five).
She loves holding onto my hands and walking aided, walks runs with her walker and pram and her balance is very good.
She can stand unaided, but whenever I try and encourage her to walk towards me without no support, she cries and falls onto her bum on purpose. She seems to be lacking in confidence.
I can see she wants to walk, she giggles like a loon when she is using her walkers and holding into me.
Me and DH take it in turns walking her to each other and trying to let her take those first few steps by herself towards one of us, she seems so unsure of herself

Is there anything i could do to build her confidence up?
We don't force her to walk, she will come up to us and grab our hands and tugs us, meaning she wants to walk and many a time she walks from her bedroom to the front room using her walker.

I think just totally let her lead. You never hear of people who just didn't learn to walk. She will get there in her own time. Stop making such a big issue. I'd certainly pack in the 'encouragement' from you and dp.

My ex has a 1.5 yr old, who is baby number four in their family (my two, then his eldest with new wife, then baby) and they were over today. Baby is just walking now, and took a month of just standing before he was ready to start walking. They let him get on with it at his pace, and lo and behold everything worked out.

Life won't get any easier when dc is walking, I promise. Just relax, and enjoy each stage as it comes.

Oh, and with regard to the hand holding at her request, I'd say if anything will build up her confidence it's that. The baby had my two who are ten at his beck and call, and they hand held him to walk loads. Ex also did and so did baby's mum.

Even though he's toddling now, when he gets to a new situation, he goes back to hand holding initially then strikes out alone.

I agree you don't need to do anything; she will walk when she's ready.

Bloody hell, it never occurred to me to do anything to try to help my children walk sooner. They worked it out themselves when they were ready. Every child does, unless there is some physical reason why they can't, which would need medical attention.

I was looking at photos today and it took almost 3 months from being able to stand independently for a few seconds to walking. She went from a few steps to walking freely within a couple of weeks.

She spent a lot of time walking round and around chairs and small tables before taking those first steps, walking holding our hands or using a walker, or just resting her hand on walls etc.

I wouldnt push, confidence is huge, and I do think that's gained by capability whilst holding on, rather than walking independently too soon and falling.

Yes, forget all about it and enjoy the delight and astonishment when she manages it in a few weeks, or months. She's 13 months, there's no hurry. You will look back on these halcyon days fondly very soon!

Haha thanks all
I suppose I'm just excited! She loves walking tires her out and hates being immobile in her buggy.
I have friends with older children who are walking and she gets a bit frustrated at times when she's stuck in her pram, and I cant get her out
I'll stop with the encouragement, and looking back ill probably love these last few months