The first steps. Few milestones generate as much excitement — or as much worry when they're slow to arrive. If your child is approaching 15 months without walking, it's easy to compare yourself to peers who are already toddling around. But the normal range for walking is much broader than most people realize.
WHO defines the normal range for independent walking as between 9 and 18 months. That means a child who isn't walking at 15 months is still within normal limits — but now is a good time to pay a little extra attention.
When do babies start walking?
The typical progression toward walking looks like this:
Precursors to walking
| Stage | Typical age | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pulling to stand | 8–10 months | Pulls up using furniture |
| Cruising | 9–12 months | Walks sideways along furniture |
| Standing alone | 10–14 months | Lets go of support for a few seconds |
| First steps | 9–18 months | Takes 2–3 steps without support |
| Stable walking | 12–20 months | Walks confidently with good balance |
Average vs. normal
The average age for first steps is around 12 months, but the average says little about what's normal for your specific child. According to the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study, it's completely normal to start walking as late as 17–18 months.
About 10 percent of all children don't walk independently before 15 months. Around 3 percent don't walk until 17–18 months — and most of them have completely normal development in every other respect.
Why isn't my baby walking yet?
1. Bum shuffling
Some babies move forward by "shuffling" on their bottom instead of crawling. These babies, known as bum shufflers, are known to walk later — often not until 18–24 months. Bum shuffling is a completely normal movement variation, but it delays walking because the baby already has an efficient way of getting around.
Bum shuffling can be hereditary. Ask your parents — were you or your partner a bum shuffler?
2. Crawling as the preferred method
Babies who are very efficient crawlers may lack the motivation to walk. Why stand up and risk falling when you can crawl quickly wherever you want to go?
3. Caution and temperament
Some children are naturally cautious. They won't take steps alone until they're completely confident they can do it. These children often fall very little once they start walking, because they waited until they'd truly mastered their balance.
4. Prematurity
Premature babies should be assessed using their corrected age, especially for gross motor milestones. A baby born two months early who is now 15 months old is developmentally more like a 13-month-old.
5. Body build
Heavier or more solidly built babies may need more time to develop enough leg strength and balance. Tall, slender children have a higher center of gravity that can make balance more challenging.
6. Ear infections
Repeated ear infections can temporarily affect balance. If your baby has had many ear infections, this may have slightly delayed their walking.
How to support your baby toward walking
Push toys
A push toy or small cart the baby can push in front of them provides support and confidence. Baby can practice walking while holding onto something and gradually build confidence.
Furniture cruising
Arrange furniture so baby can "cruise" from one piece to another. Set up a low table, sofas, and chairs close enough that baby can move between them with just a small gap.
Stand and play
Encourage baby to stand at a low table and play with both hands. The more comfortable baby is standing, the closer walking becomes.
Walk together
Hold baby's hands and walk together. Gradually reduce to one hand, then just one finger. Eventually baby will let go completely.
Avoid baby walkers! Pediatricians and the AAP advise against the use of baby walkers. They create an incorrect movement pattern, increase the risk of accidents, and can actually delay independent walking.
Barefoot is best
Let baby go barefoot indoors as much as possible. Bare feet provide better grip, better balance feedback, and strengthen the foot muscles. Shoes are for outdoors — choose soft, flexible shoes that mimic barefoot as closely as possible.
Motivation over pressure
Place interesting toys just out of reach so baby has to take a few steps to get to them. Use encouragement and excitement, but never force it. Baby should walk because they want to, not because they have to.
When should you seek help?
Contact your pediatrician if baby:
- Isn't walking independently by 18 months — this is the limit of the normal range
- Isn't cruising (walking along furniture) by 15 months
- Isn't pulling to stand by 12 months
- Only uses one side of the body when walking or crawling
- Has lost skills they previously had
- Consistently walks on tiptoe after several weeks of walking
- Seems very stiff or very floppy in the legs
At 18 months without independent walking, baby should be evaluated by a pediatrician or physical therapist. This doesn't mean something is wrong, but it should be investigated to rule out underlying causes.
What happens during an evaluation?
The physical therapist or pediatrician will:
- Observe baby in play and movement
- Test muscle strength and flexibility in legs, hips, and ankles
- Assess balance and reflexes
- Ask about family history — late walking is often hereditary
- Check for bum shuffling — this often explains the delay
- Order further testing if needed
Most children referred for late walking turn out to have completely normal development. The physical therapist can provide specific exercises and tips to support the process.
Late walking and further development
Research shows that children who walk late but within the normal range fully catch up with their peers. By age two or three, there is no difference in motor skills between children who walked at 10 months and those who walked at 17 months.
What about bum shufflers?
Bum shufflers are known to walk late, but otherwise develop completely normally. They may walk as late as 24 months without taking their first steps, but once they start, they develop quick and stable walking. Bum shuffling is hereditary — it tends to run in families.
Shoes for new walkers
When baby starts walking, they need the right shoes for outdoor use:
- Soft, flexible sole — the foot should be able to move naturally
- Good toe room — baby feet grow fast
- Low heel or flat — high heels interfere with balance
- Breathable material — baby feet sweat a lot
- Ankle height is optional — it's a myth that new walkers need ankle-high shoes
Connection to other milestones
Walking is connected to other development. A baby who isn't walking at 15 months, but who:
- Crawls or shuffles efficiently
- Cruises along furniture
- Points and communicates with you
- Shows interest in their surroundings
- Plays with toys at an age-appropriate level
...most likely has completely normal development where walking is just taking a little longer.
Common questions
Is it normal for a baby not to walk at 15 months? Yes. The normal range for independent walking is 9–18 months. At 15 months, baby is still within the normal range, but it's a good idea to keep a closer eye on development.
Should I use a baby walker? No. Baby walkers are advised against by the AAP. They create an incorrect movement pattern and increase the risk of accidents. A push toy the baby can walk behind is a much better alternative.
Is bum shuffling a sign of something wrong? No, bum shuffling is a normal movement variation. It is hereditary and typically leads to late walking (18–24 months), but without other developmental problems.
Does it help to hold baby's hands and walk? Yes, it can help baby experience the feeling of walking and build confidence. But don't turn it into pressure — let baby set the pace.
Can late walking be a sign of cerebral palsy? In very rare cases, delayed walking can be a sign of neurological conditions. But you'd typically see other signs too, such as unusual stiffness, asymmetry, or loss of skills. Your pediatrician can assess this.
Sources
- WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study: Motor development milestones
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Motor Development
- Robson P: Shuffling, hitching, scooting or sliding — some observations (Dev Med Child Neurol, 1970)