Need Suggestions for Helping My Baby Walk on Her Own

Updated on May 05, 2007
L.M. asks from Keller, TX
7 answers

Hi-
i am looking for some suggestions on what worked for other parents to help thier child walk on their own. All day long my 11 month old daughter just wants to walk holding my hands. I have tried all sorts of things to try and help her to gain confidence to walk on her own. She cruises along the furniture and can stand up not holding onto anything for a couple of seconds she seems ready, she just associates the walking thing with holding my hands. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

thanks for letting me know I forgot to put her age in there.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.D.

answers from Dallas on

I bought my child the "Sit to Stand" walker from Toys R Us. Its not an ordinary walker so kids love it. My daughter plays with it constantly, and it even cracks me up. (It plays music but half way through the song, it switches the notes to animal sounds). My child also liked this floor mat that makes sounds when you step on it. I showed her how to do it once, and she's been going at it ever since.

If you don't want to buy anything, we practiced letting her take a few steps between me and her grandpa. Just sit face to face, maybe 2ft apart, and let her take a step toward the other person. As she gets the hang of it you can move further and further apart. We made such a big deal everytime she got to one of us (regardless of if she took steps or fell) that she wanted to keep doing it all the time. This is how she learned to branch out on her own. Her first steps were taken after she stood up on her own, 2ft from me.

Honestly, even though you may not like it much, she will walk when she wants to. At 11 months, I think shes a little early if not right on time. So you shouldnt worry yet. My child started cruising around 6-7 months, but didnt walk until 13 months. Kids do what they want. Accept it now, or figure it out later :) Good Luck, to you and your family!

Rock

S.

answers from Dallas on

you haven't mentioned how old your daughter is.
I suggest that let her be. my daughter did not start working till she was 16 months and she was walking running in weeks.

kids walk when they are ready to.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Crawling is excellent for their development and brain... Let her crawl as long as she will. Trust me, she will walk soon enough, just like everyone has said.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Really, nothing. My daughter did the same thing for more than 2 months before she finally let go at 17 1/2 months. However, something like a push behind walking toy (like this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=230874...)
might give her confidence.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.J.

answers from Dallas on

Don't rush it. My daughter did not walk until she was 16 months old...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from San Diego on

Hi L.,

The push toys are really great! We bought this wagon for our daughter for her first birthday (she wasn't walking on her own yet) and she loved it. She walked around the house all over the place with this thing. It has a great little activity center and comes with all kinds of blocks that are stored inside the wagon. The blocks are plush, wood, and rubber, they have different colors, animals, etc on them for learning.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=117802275...

Good luck!! But no worries, your daughter will be walking on her own in due time with or without any other help. She shows great signs of walking along furniture on her own, holding your hand, etc. Pretty soon you won't be able to keep up with her! :-)

-Char

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Dallas on

I promise, she'll soon enough walk on her own. And very soon, run away from you, and you'll wish she was still holding your hands! She's still learning and still getting steady on her feet - she needs your hands to feel safe and confident. She'll get it soon. 11 months is actually quite early to be walking, particularly to walk unassisted.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions