My son looooooves to push his walker around - when it's in his vicinity he much prefers to "walk" than crawl. He also will stand unassisted for 5, 10, sometimes 15 seconds when he's distracted. But he doesn't seem at all interested in walking on his own! He's 11 months old and has been pulling up and cruising since he was about 8 months. I'm not worried at all, he's really strong and I know its still somewhat early to walk, but I want him to get going cause I know he'll love it! If your kid was like this, how long did it take them to start walking? Would it make sense to take away the walker, or is it good practice?
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My oldest was walking with her walker and cruising on furniture at 8m. She took her first steps at 11m and was full on walking just after her first birthday.
I personally think walking and letting go is all about confidence. So I will encourage it by putting favorite toys just out of reach. In a spot that he can't reach while holding on to a piece of furniture. But only one step away. Maybe put his walker just out of arms reach? I definitely wouldn't take his walker away full time though.
Enjoy the lack of running mobility while it lasts!
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From what I read, walkers and other devices like that actually delay their ability to walk on their own because they throw their weight forward, rather than balancing on their own. I have friends whose kids took several months to transition to independent walking because they felt they needed the walker.
My daughter went from cruising steadily to walking on her own within 2 months. Took her first unassisted steps at 9 mo and was walking exclusively at 10 mo. -
My DD started cruising at 9 months, took her first unassisted steps at 12 months.... and then didnt start really walking until almost 15 months. She went from walking to running and jumping in just a couple weeks. I think she was just scared, to be honest, because she was totally capable of it long before she did it.
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My LO is still unsteady but takes about 5 or 6 steps before crawling. He's 11 months and I don't feel guilty about hiding his v-tech walker :-)! I haven't read studies about their use, but based on what I've seen among other parents in my circle, the kids will walk fine if they didn't use them. A friend has a baby who's a wiz at maneuvering a walker but won't take steps independently. Others transition super smoothly. Every baby is different!
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I think my LO used a walker for about 5 months before walking at 16 months. I wasn't concerned that it was slowing her down because she was at daycare 5 days a week without a walker. She loved zipping around with that thing. When she finally decided to take her first steps she became a full time walker the same day so I think she was just working on some confidence.
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LO1 could totally walk well before she decided it was time. She just didn't want to let go of the furniture, walker, my hand, etc. She finally decided she was ready just as she turned 12 months.
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DS started cruising at around 9 months and used a walker (the little vtec one you push around) for about a month and a half before he let go and started to walk on his own. I never worried about it delaying him or anything, I knew he would go at his own pace and time. I remember feeling the same way as you (walk now please!) haha but now I can't get get the kid to stop running everywhere
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DS started pushing a walker at 12 months as soon as we gave it to him on his bday, he had been cruising since 9 or 10 months i think. but then it took him another 2.5 months for him to take his first independent steps (at 14.5 months)
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DS was the same way, he was cruising on furniture or with the walker and just briefly standing on his own by 1 year. Then at his birthday party he intently watched the other little kids who were walking, and the next day he took his first steps! Then every time he would take a few steps and fall we would clap and say "good job" and make a big deal every time! He would push himself up to standing (he never did that before walking) and walk a few steps and fall and clap. haha. He loved it! A a week or two later he was walking for good.
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We let DS use his push walker this weekend and for the first time, he loves it! He is 11 months in a few days. I'm wondering when he will walk on his own. Like about 1-2 months from now?
DD is not understanding taking forward steps right now so it's still early for her to use the walker.
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