As a parent, it’s natural to compare your child’s development to others. You may find yourself asking, “Should my baby be crawling by now?” or “Why isn’t my toddler walking yet?”. While developmental milestones are helpful guidelines, there are many myths that can cause unnecessary worry. Let’s bust some of the most common milestone misconceptions and help you feel more confident about your child’s progress.
Myth #1: ALL Babies Should Crawl Before Walking
Fact: Some babies do not creep, also known as hands-and-knees crawling. Instead, they may move around by scooting on their bottom, army crawling, or rolling to get where they need to go. I do encourage creeping - go check out my previous blog posts regarding the benefits - however, skipping this phase doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is not ready to walk. As a pediatric physical therapist, I fully support following the child's lead while also supporting them in their development with purposeful activities to set them up for success. For example, if your child is pulling to stand and showing interest in standing activities - then yes, you should absolutely support them and celebrate this new achievement while continuing to encourage crawling on hands and knees with targeted, fun, purposeful activities. Again, your child may not crawl on their hands and knees before they walk, but learning to do so will provide many ongoing benefits throughout childhood.
Myth #2: If Your Child Walks Late, They’ll Always Be Behind
Fact: Walking typically happens between 9-18 months, with plenty of healthy variation. Late walking does not automatically mean a child will struggle with movement or coordination later in life. Instead of focusing on the exact timing, look for steady progress in their gross motor skills. The common trajectory for walking is: pulling to stand, cruising or walking along furniture, walking between furniture, walking with assistance such as with a push toy or your hands, then walking independently. But, first and foremost, a child must learn to stand and stand without support before they can walk without support. Focusing on the basics and reaching out for help from a pediatric physical therapist, if needed, can help your child build confidence and participate with their peers throughout childhood.
Myth #3: Babies Should Walk By Their First Birthday
Fact: While some babies take their first steps around their first birthday, many don’t start walking until closer to 15 months or even later. As mentioned, most children learn to walk independently between 9-18 months. Development is a spectrum, though, and individual differences in muscle tone, coordination, and confidence all play a role. Remember, learning to walk is a complicated, multi-system adventure. While it is an exciting milestone, there is no need to rush your child.
Myth #4: Holding A Baby’s Hands Helps Them Learn to Walk Faster
Fact: While it’s tempting to guide your child by holding their hands, this can sometimes make them dependent on external support. Have you seen the child who sits as soon as their parents let go? I often hear, "it's just my pinky" or "I'm not even helping". Instead, encourage standing, cruising along furniture, and utilizing push toys or even large boxes to help your child build confidence, balance, coordination, and strength naturally, without external support.
Myth #5: Toe-Walking Is Always A Sign Of A Problem
Fact: Many toddlers go through a phase of toe-walking as they explore different ways to move. They are now reaching to higher shelves and learning to jump, both of which require going up on tip-toes. Occasional toe-walking is normal; however, if it continues beyond age 2 or is constant, it’s a good idea to check in with a pediatric physical therapist.
Myth #6: Using A Seat Will Teach My Child To Sit Sooner
Fact: Using a seat will in fact do the opposite. Placing a child in a seated container that holds the child in the seated position does help them get comfortable in the position. However, it does not allow them to develop necessary balance reactions to help them maintain their balance and prevent falls. A child who can sit independently is one that can prevent falls during play, move around to manipulate toys, navigate challenges, and transition between positions. Kids who can move freely while sitting and in and out of sitting have one less hurdle when it comes to learning to crawl on hands and knees. Now, if you want to use a seat to help contain your child for a few minutes (because sometimes we all just need a minute) then go for it. Just know it will not actually teach your child to sit independently.
What Matters Most?
Instead of stressing over milestone timelines, focus on progress and quality of movement. If your child is moving in new ways, gaining strength, and showing interest in their environment, they are on the right track. If you have concerns, a pediatric physical therapist can provide reassurance and guidance to support your child’s development. And, if you're local to Dallas, we'd love to help!
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