On Your Mark, Get Set: Go, Baby, go! From Cruising To Toddling To Walking, Your Baby's First Steps Kick Off One Fun Ride.

Once your baby learns how to pull herself up to stand, she'll be excited to learn what else is out there in the big wide world — and that means taking a big step forward.
Your baby's first steps might happen within a few days or a few months of when she first learns to stand. But once she does, it's just a hop, skip and a jump (in other words, practice, practice and more practice!) to toddling and walking.

When to expect it: Many children graduate from pulling up to cruising (or walking by holding on to furniture) around month 9 or 10. When cruisers "reach altitude" and make their first attempts at letting go of whatever piece of furniture (or part of Mom or Dad's leg) they're using to stay upright, you could see your child's first toddling steps. Most children don't take their first independent steps until well after their first birthdays (around month 14, on average), although it’s not unusual for them to start as late as 18 months (or in some cases, as early as 7 months).

Some of it may be in her wiring: Your little one may follow in your or her dad’s (early or late) footsteps. Build and temperament play parts, too. A lean, high-energy baby will probably strut her stuff sooner than a mellow Buddha-baby. And some kids are more cautious and only want to take a step when they’re positive they won’t tumble; others are daredevils and will dive right in — literally.

One thing’s for sure: Your toddler will eventually learn to walk — but on her timetable, not yours. Sure, there are ways you can lend her a helping hand (and a couple of clapping hands as she racks up her triumphs!), but rather than focusing on the finish line, just embrace all the baby steps along the way — a journey that will make her victory lap seem that much sweeter.

How to help your baby discover it: You've heard of free-range chickens? Think free-range baby. Letting your little one get in lots of on-the-move time is the best way to encourage cruising and first steps. Let your child have plenty of open exploration time outside of the stroller or carrier — and away from the Exersaucer or swing — and let her see where her busy body takes her.
To be continued

What to expect