One of the most common questions we hear from parents is "When can my baby start using a walker?" It's a question that goes beyond simply looking at age—true readiness depends on your baby reaching certain developmental milestones that indicate they have the physical strength and coordination to use a walker safely and beneficially.
As a paediatric occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience in infant motor development, I've helped countless families navigate this decision. In this guide, I'll walk you through the key indicators of walker readiness and help you understand what to look for in your own child's development.
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Every baby develops at their own pace, which is why age alone isn't the best indicator of walker readiness. While most manufacturers suggest their walkers are suitable from around 6 months, this is a generalisation that doesn't account for individual developmental variations. Some babies may be ready earlier, while others might benefit from waiting a bit longer.
The key is to observe your baby's physical capabilities rather than focusing solely on their age. Development follows a predictable sequence, even if the timing varies between children. Understanding this sequence helps you identify when your baby has built the foundational skills needed for safe walker use.
đź“Š Development Fact
Research shows that the age range for achieving motor milestones can vary by several months between typically developing infants. A baby who sits independently at 5 months and one who achieves this at 8 months can both be developing perfectly normally.
Essential Physical Milestones
Independent Sitting
The most fundamental prerequisite for using a sit-in baby walker is the ability to sit independently without support. This means your baby can maintain an upright seated position for several minutes without toppling over, can reach for toys while sitting without losing balance, demonstrates good head control in the seated position, and can twist and turn their upper body while seated.
Independent sitting indicates that your baby has developed sufficient core strength and trunk control—the same muscles that will help them maintain stability in a walker. If your baby still needs support to sit or frequently tips over, they're not yet ready for a walker.
Strong Head and Neck Control
Complete head control is non-negotiable for walker use. Your baby should be able to hold their head steady in all positions, turn their head freely to look around, and keep their head upright without it bobbing or falling forward. Good head control has typically been established for several weeks before attempting walker use. Watch your baby during tummy time and sitting—if their head movements are smooth and controlled, this milestone is achieved.
Leg Strength and Bearing Weight
For sit-in walkers, your baby needs sufficient leg strength to push against the floor and propel the walker. Signs of adequate leg strength include pushing up strongly during tummy time, kicking legs vigorously when lying on their back, showing interest in standing when supported, and bearing some weight on their legs when held in a standing position.
When you hold your baby upright with their feet touching the floor, they should show some weight-bearing ability—their legs shouldn't simply collapse. They don't need to support their full weight yet, but some resistance and pushing indicates developing leg strength.
Key Takeaway
The three essential physical milestones for walker readiness are: independent sitting for at least 1-2 minutes, complete head and neck control, and the ability to partially bear weight on their legs when supported. All three should be present before introducing a walker.
Different Walker Types, Different Requirements
Sit-In Walkers
Traditional sit-in walkers require the milestones described above. Babies typically achieve these between 6-9 months, though this varies. The walker's seat provides support, so your baby doesn't need to stand independently, but they do need enough strength and control to sit upright, move their legs purposefully, and navigate their environment.
Push Walkers
Push-along walkers have different requirements because the baby stands behind the walker rather than sitting in it. For push walkers, your baby should be pulling themselves up to standing using furniture, showing interest in cruising (walking while holding onto furniture), demonstrating reasonable balance when standing supported, and ideally taking some steps while holding your hands.
These milestones typically emerge between 9-12 months. Push walkers are designed for babies who are close to walking independently and need just a bit of mobile support to practice their emerging walking skills.
Behavioural Signs of Readiness
Beyond physical milestones, certain behavioural cues suggest your baby is mentally and emotionally ready for the increased mobility a walker provides:
Curiosity and Exploration Drive
A baby ready for a walker typically shows strong interest in exploring their environment. They reach for objects, track movement with their eyes, show frustration at being stationary, and attempt to move toward interesting things or people.
Attention and Focus
Your baby should be able to focus on activities for short periods and show interest in cause-and-effect play. This indicates they'll engage meaningfully with a walker's movement capabilities and any attached toys rather than becoming overwhelmed.
Response to New Experiences
Consider how your baby typically responds to new situations. Babies who are curious and adaptable often take to walkers enthusiastically. If your baby tends to be cautious or easily overwhelmed, you might introduce the walker more gradually, starting with short sessions.
Signs Your Baby Is Not Ready
Equally important is recognising when to wait. Hold off on introducing a walker if your baby still needs support to maintain a seated position, their head control is inconsistent or wobbly, they show no interest in standing or weight-bearing, they seem overwhelmed by new equipment or experiences, or they have any developmental delays that your healthcare provider is monitoring.
⚠️ When to Consult a Professional
If you're unsure about your baby's readiness, or if your baby was premature or has any developmental concerns, consult with your paediatrician or a child development specialist before introducing a walker. They can assess your baby's individual development and provide personalised guidance.
The Premature Baby Consideration
If your baby was born prematurely, use their adjusted age rather than their chronological age when assessing walker readiness. Adjusted age accounts for the weeks or months of development that would have occurred in the womb. A baby born 2 months early might not be ready for a walker until 8-10 months chronologically, even though full-term babies might be ready at 6 months.
Premature babies may also have individualised developmental trajectories, so working with healthcare providers familiar with your baby's history is particularly important.
Introducing the Walker Gradually
Once you've determined your baby is developmentally ready, introduce the walker gradually rather than for extended periods immediately. Start with just 5-10 minutes at a time, allowing your baby to become comfortable with the new sensation of supported mobility. Watch their reactions—enjoyment and engagement are good signs, while fussiness or distress suggests they may need more time.
Stay close during initial sessions to provide reassurance and assistance. As your baby grows more confident, you can gradually extend walker time, though sessions should generally remain under 20-30 minutes to ensure balanced development and adequate floor time.
Every Baby Is Unique
Remember that developmental timelines are guidelines, not rigid rules. Your baby is unique, and the best judge of their readiness is a combination of objective milestone assessment and your parental intuition. If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct and wait a bit longer.
The goal isn't to get your baby into a walker as early as possible—it's to introduce this tool at the right time for their individual development, when it will provide enjoyment and appropriate stimulation without compromising safety or healthy development patterns.