How young is too young for a baby to be walking?

Question

My three month old daughter stood up off my lap the other day and started walking forwards. Now she wants to do it constantly. I need to help her to balance obviously, but should I be letting her do this? will her bones and muscles be strong enough yet? Today she even discovered two new games - crouching and standing up again, and walking in circles by only moving one foot - she looked very pleased with herself!

Answer 1

As long as you are supporting most of her weight, its OK, go for it, if she enjoys herself. Otherwise, its not good for her back, same goes for sitting. Until she can sit unaided, its not good to prop her up.

Answer 2

It's definitely not strange. Mine was walking around, holding onto things, at 7 months, and could walk very well, unaided, at 8 months. I'm sure there's lots of children that done it sooner than this. I don't think it's unusual, or a big deal. My son could walk early because he had very strong, muscly legs, so of course he's going to have an advantage.

Answer 3

This is normal. Maybe she would like a doorway jumper (it hangs from the doorway and it has a spring so the baby can bounce up and down.) or that exersaucer thingy that also bounces up and down but sits alone and looks kinda like a walker. She can use it once she has good head control. I have the doorway jumper buy by daughter who's also 3 months is kinda small for it and she gets tired quickly when I put her in it. I am thinking next month she'll use it a lot.

Answer 4

If her bones and muscles are strong enough, then she'll be able to do it by herself. "I need to help her to balance obviously" - then no, her bones and muscles are not strong enough yet. If they were, she'd be able to balance.



Encourage her to stand using the bars of her cot/playpen, or a chair, rather than you holding her up. That way she's restricted by her own readiness rather than being held in a position which she isn't ready for by you. Don't get me wrong, a little bit of "look at me, I can stand up" being held by you isn't bad, but she definitely shouldn't be doing it constantly.

Answer 5

my little girl used to do this too - i had to take her baby bath away as she was pulling herself up to stand holding onto the sides - theres no harm in letting her stand/walk under your supervision. as long as she isnt using a babywalker until at least 5 months old - she'll come to no harm. Does she like a baby bouncer - my wee girl used to run on the spot in hers from 3 months! it was sooo funny. She didnt actually walk unaided until she was 11 months old.

Answer 6

Yeah my two month old has been "standing up" and moving for about a month now. It's fine. Babies are supposed to be able to bear weight on their legs like this early on.



http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-1-to-6-months_1496585.bc

Answer 7

My Health Visitor told me never to let my baby walk like that until she was at least 6 months old because it hurts the bones in her feet and legs and gives them a bad habit of 'walking' on there tiptoes. But we still done it coz she loved it. Now though when shes walking about with her baby walkers...she walks on her tiptoes (oops!)



However, I would speak to your own health proffessional about it :)

Answer 8

Well its all natural so its fine. If your baby wasnt walking then there wold eventually be a problem if it carried on like that!



Be proud of her!



Stu

xxx

Answer 9

It's good for babies to get a little bit of standing time to help strengthen the legs, but be sure not to do it too much.



I'm not sure why...one thing I'll be asking my midwife!



I was proud that my son was pushing himself up on his legs, but my midwife was hardly amused.

"He shouldn't be on those legs for too long" she'd say.

Answer 10

All babies can walk we all born knowing how its just that as babies our legs aren't strong enough. She has quite away to go before she'll be walking unaided.

Answer 11

there no such thing as too young to walk,

ababy will walk when they are ready,which means they are strong enough



although 3 months is very young

Answer 12

my son was weight baring on his feet from 2 weeks of age, his legs are fine and he is four years old.



She is fine and obvioulsy enjoying herself!

Answer 13

totally normal

Answer 14

my three month old son can change his own diaper. he's been walking since birth.