Tips for getting 12 month old walking?

[miniworry]

My DS has been cruising around furniture since around 7 months but fast forward to 12 months and we are still not any nearer to walking. He crawls so rapidly (crawled at 5.5 months) that I think he knows he can get there just as quick.

You try and stand him up and he just buckles his legs to crawl away. He has recently started to let go and is indepently standing at things if he's not thinking about it (I.e is playing with something in both hands but then the minute he realises he sits down!

Any tips for how I can help him progress to start taking his first steps?!

Don’t be so daft, he’ll walk when he walks. You can’t rush these things.

Enjoy the peace while it lasts!! You can’t force a child to walk, they’ll get there in their own time.

No advice OP but my DS 11 months is exactly the same so following for ideas. He also crawled at 6 months and is so fast he has no interest in walking!

You don't need to get a 12m old walking (& you'll regret it 😜). He's loads of time yet!

Let him be on the floor as much as possible so he can move his body and practice his gross motor skills. That’s it. Beyond that they just get there in their own time. Up to 17 months is totally normal for walking.

Leave him be!!!

My DD didn’t walk until she was 14 months.
She never learned to crawl, she used to drag herself around like a slug.
I only ever encouraged her to walk when she would stand up with one hand loosely on the sofa.
Your little one will try it when they’re ready ☺️

He will walk when he is ready.

There's nothing you can do apart from give them opportunities.

It's kinda up to him when he decides to start walking, the standing is the first phase to walking so he's heading in the right direction, one day he'll let go and take his first step. It'll be a while yet before he's ready to walk try not to worry if you are he will walk and if you are concerned about his development seek advice from a Health Visitor.

Aw I remember this bit and working myself up about my daughter not walking. We used to walk around holding her hands for a good 3 months before she went off independently at 15 months. I would just let him go at his own pace and honestly they fall down so much when they start it might be better if he's a bit bigger/taller/older when he walks for the first time.

Yes, leave him alone.

Wait.

All of the above BUT a nice tip I was told when they're just starting to toddle is to use a wooden spoon (they hold the handle above the scoopy bit, stops their hand slipping down) to save your back - don't need to stoop to hold their hand

Mine started walking early but let me tell you I did absolutely nothing! And I envy my friends that have a few more months of not running after a little toddler.

12 months is still young. Just keep encouraging them to come to you. And if they crawl to you, that’s fine.

We bought a Walker, but only because he really enjoyed playing with one at the play groups. And I did find that meant that he was walking around - but I’d only buy toys they are into. I bought a Walker for my first and it did nothing for her! She didn’t even like it.

Do nothing.
12 months is early
If in six months not walking talk to hv.

It's up to 18 months. And after that, if you speak to a health visitor they will most likely just suggest waiting to see what happens by 2, especially if they're bearing weight fine and standing.

Honestly, OP, just wait and see. All mine have been late walkers but you'd never know it. In reception, it will be already impossible to pick out who was walking at 9 months and who was 22 months before their first step.

My son just recently started walking at 19 months. He started crawling at 11 months. He liked speedy crawling everywhere and could stand independently by 14 months but took a long while to take those first steps.
He is now 22 months and tries to run everywhere and climb.
Try not to worry, your child will get there.

Thanks everyone for the advice- I'm not worried about him not walking and know that it's totally normal to start anywhere up to 18 months, I think I was just looking for tips on how to help him incase he needed a bit of support from me seeing as he's been cruising for so long to take that next step.

I will take a step back and enjoy the speedy crawling and his little brave face when he takes two hands off the furniture 😆

DS had been cruising since he was 8 months, he started walking about a month ago at 13.5 months, he just got up and toddled across the room to me.

Bare feet is a big one to help though, socks can hinder and shoes are bad for development until they can walk.