6 Signs Your Baby May Be Ready to Take Their First Steps

Is your little one getting ready to walk? Here are six signs that those exciting first steps may be getting closer.

There’s something unforgettable about watching your baby discover how to move independently.

One day they’re happily sitting on the floor, and before you know it, they’re pulling themselves up against the sofa, reaching for the coffee table, and trying to figure out how to stay on two feet.

Walking is a major developmental milestone, but there’s no single age when every baby should start. Some children take their first independent steps earlier, while others take more time. What matters most is the individual progression of your child rather than comparing them with other babies.

So, how can you tell if your baby is getting closer to walking?

Here are 6 signs to look out for.

1. They’re Pulling Themselves Up

One of the most exciting signs is when your baby starts pulling themselves from the floor into a standing position.

You may notice them grabbing the edge of the sofa, a sturdy table, or another stable surface and using their arms to pull themselves upright.

This movement requires increasing strength and coordination in their legs, hips and trunk.

Once standing becomes something they can do more confidently, they may start spending more time exploring the world from an upright position.

Parent tip: This is also a great time to take another look around your home and make sure furniture and other surfaces your baby uses for support are secure.

2. They’re Starting to Stand Without Support

At first, your baby may only let go for a second before sitting or falling back down.

That’s completely normal.

As their balance improves, they may begin standing independently for longer periods of time.

You might even catch them standing in the middle of the room, looking surprised at what they’ve just managed to do.

Standing independently requires balance, coordination and confidence — all important skills for walking.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies may begin standing momentarily without support during the later part of their first year and may eventually take a few steps independently.

3. They’re “Cruising” Around Furniture

If your baby is moving sideways while holding onto the sofa or coffee table, you’ve probably noticed something called cruising.

Cruising is when babies take small steps while holding onto furniture or another stable surface.

It’s an important opportunity for them to practice transferring their weight from one foot to the other while maintaining their balance.

Some babies cruise for quite a while before walking independently, while others may suddenly decide they’re ready to let go.

There’s no exact timeline — and both can be completely normal.

One important reminder: make sure furniture and other surfaces within your baby's reach are safe and stable.

4. They’re Getting Better at Moving From Sitting to Standing

Another exciting development is when your baby starts figuring out how to get from the floor into a standing position without needing you to lift them.

You may see them squat, push through their legs, grab onto something and slowly stand up.

This seemingly simple movement actually involves a lot of coordination.

As your baby practices getting up and down, they’re learning more about how their body moves and how to control their balance.

And don't be surprised if they repeat the movement again and again.

For babies, repetition is part of learning.

5. They’re Letting Go and Taking Tiny Steps

This is the moment every parent waits for.

Your baby may suddenly let go of the furniture and stand alone.

Then comes the little wobble.

Maybe one step.

Maybe two.

And then — plop!

Those first attempts can be incredibly unsteady, and that's perfectly normal. Early walking often involves plenty of stops, starts, stumbles and getting back up again.

Over time, your baby will begin developing more confidence and control.

The CDC lists taking a few steps independently as a movement milestone by 15 months, while emphasizing that developmental milestones are best understood as part of a broader picture of a child's development.

6. They’re Becoming More Confident on Their Feet

Sometimes the biggest change is simply confidence.

Your baby may start reaching for objects while standing, moving between pieces of furniture, standing for longer periods, or attempting to move toward you.

You may notice that they seem increasingly interested in being upright and exploring from a standing position.

This growing confidence can be just as exciting as the physical changes.

Walking isn't only about strong legs. It also involves balance, coordination, motor control and the confidence to try something new.

And every baby develops those skills at their own pace.

How Can You Encourage Your Baby’s First Steps?

You don't need to teach your baby how to walk.

Instead, you can give them safe opportunities to practice and explore.

Try:

Create a Safe Space to Move

Give your baby a safe, open area where they can crawl, stand, cruise and explore without unnecessary obstacles.

Let Them Practice

Allow your baby time to move freely rather than constantly placing them into positions they haven't reached independently.

Encourage, Don't Pressure

Celebrate their attempts, even when they only manage one tiny step.

A smile, encouragement or reaching out your hands can make those early attempts feel exciting rather than stressful.

Avoid Wheeled Baby Walkers

Despite their name, traditional baby walkers with wheels don't teach babies to walk and can create serious safety risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against their use.

When Does Your Baby Need Their First Shoes?

This is one of the questions parents often ask as those exciting first steps get closer.

The answer isn't simply about a specific age or milestone. What matters most is what your baby is doing, where they're moving, and the type of shoes they're wearing.

During the early stages of learning to walk, barefoot time can be incredibly valuable. Without shoes, babies can freely feel the surface beneath their feet while practicing balance, coordination, and movement.

But that doesn't mean your baby needs to be barefoot all the time.

The right pair of first shoes can also be part of those early walking experiences — even when your baby is taking their first steps or practicing indoors.

The key is choosing footwear that allows the feet to move as naturally as possible rather than restricting them.

When choosing a first pair, look for footwear that is:

Flexible — allowing the foot to bend and move naturally
Lightweight — so little feet aren't carrying unnecessary weight
Comfortable — without pressure or uncomfortable restrictions
Wide enough to allow natural toe movement
Secure without being restrictive
Designed to provide a barefoot-like feeling
Protective while still allowing natural movement

For babies who are beginning to walk, the goal shouldn't be to completely separate barefoot movement from wearing shoes.

Instead, think about shoes as a way of providing protection while preserving as much of the natural feeling of being barefoot as possible.

What About Barefoot Walking?

There’s a reason so many parents notice their baby loves being barefoot.

Bare feet allow babies to directly experience the surfaces beneath them while developing their balance, coordination, and awareness of how their feet move.

Whenever it is safe and practical, giving your baby time to move barefoot can be a wonderful part of learning to walk.

But there will also be moments when your baby needs or benefits from wearing shoes — whether they're practicing their first steps around the house, walking on surfaces that aren't suitable for bare feet, or simply need protection.

That's where the right first shoe can make a difference.

A well-designed barefoot-style shoe should aim to provide the protection of a shoe while maintaining the freedom and flexibility of natural foot movement.

The goal isn't to keep little feet covered all the time.

And it's not to keep them barefoot all the time either.

It's about giving little feet the freedom to move naturally while providing the protection they need when they need it.

For those precious first steps, look for shoes that feel as close to barefoot as possible — flexible, lightweight, comfortable, and designed to move with growing feet rather than against them.

Every Baby Has Their Own Timeline

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that there isn't one perfect timeline for walking.

Some babies seem eager to get moving as soon as possible.

Others are perfectly happy taking their time.

Some crawl extensively before walking, while others may move through different forms of mobility and even skip traditional crawling altogether.

So if your friend's baby is already walking while yours is still crawling, there's no need to panic.

Your baby's journey is their own.

What matters is watching their overall development, giving them safe opportunities to explore, and talking with your child's healthcare professional if you have concerns about their progress.

The First Steps Are Just the Beginning

Those first steps may only last a few seconds.

They may end with a tumble onto the floor.

They may happen when you least expect them.

But they represent something much bigger — your little one discovering a whole new way to experience the world.

At MyLegacy, we believe those early moments deserve thoughtful support.

That's why we focus on creating children's footwear designed around the needs of growing feet — with flexibility, comfort, protection and freedom of movement at the heart of every design.

Because we're not just watching little feet take their first steps.

We're helping them get ready for all the steps that come after. ❤️