Should I Help My Baby Start Walking? Insights from a Paediatric Chiropractor
- Jannali Healthcare
- Aug 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Should I Practice Walking with My Child?
As a parent, it’s exciting to see your baby grow and hit new milestones. Walking is a big milestone, and many wonder if they should be helping their baby “get there faster” by practicing walking or using devices like walkers or jumpers.
The short answer: No — your baby is not ready to walk until they can stand up on their own.
Paediatric Chiropractor Insights on Baby Walking Milestones
From a paediatric chiropractic perspective, and what’s often considered in paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy, walking readiness is about more than leg strength. It’s about a mature nervous system, stable balance, and well-sequenced muscle activation.
When your baby is ready to walk, they will pull themselves to standing independently. If this hasn’t happened yet, the best thing you can do is focus on building strength, stability, and coordination in lower positions like crawling, kneeling, and pulling to stand, rather than practicing walking prematurely.
Baby Walking Readiness and the Plantar Reflex Test
One simple way to check your baby’s walking readiness is to look at the plantar grasp reflex.
How to check:
Gently press under the ball of your baby’s foot.
If their toes curl in response, the reflex is still active.
An active plantar reflex means the brain and body are not yet ready for walking. Practicing walking before this reflex integrates can encourage compensations and place strain on muscles and joints that are not prepared for the load.
Why Paediatric Chiros, Physios and OTs Avoid Walkers and Jumpers
Devices like jumping chairs and walking chairs often cause babies to:
Push off from their toes or forefoot instead of using the whole foot.
Turn their feet outward for balance.
These habits can lead to inoptimal movement patterns, shortened calf muscles (including the gastrocnemius), and in some cases toe walking. This may require later correction by a paediatric chiropractor, or other healthcare practitioners.
Supporting Healthy Walking Development Naturally
Instead of helping your baby walk too soon, focus on:
Tummy Time & Floor play to build core, hip, and leg strength.
Crawling, kneeling, and squatting for balance and coordination.
Safe cruising spaces so your baby can pull to stand and move along furniture when ready.
Allowing walking to happen naturally after the nervous system, reflexes, and muscles are prepared, gives your child the best start for healthy posture, balance, and movement patterns.
Remember: Every child develops at their own pace. What matters most is that they are learning the correct movement patterns, making steady progress, and building the strength needed for their next milestone. The exact timing is less important (within reason).
However, if you notice your baby struggling with key milestones like turning their head both ways, rolling to each side (true rolling involves bending their legs into hip flexion, rather than kicking into the ground), or not starting to crawl, it’s recommended to seek support early.
At home, the best thing you can do is let your baby explore freely and safely. This natural exploration helps build strength and coordination, and walking will come when their body and brain are truly ready.
In the meantime, support their development with age-appropriate activities. Rotate toys regularly to keep them engaged, keep their favourite toys close, and avoid rushing milestones. Most importantly, allow plenty of floor time and tummy time! This is where they learn about their bodies and the world - and where baby brain growth truly happens! If you need any support or have questions about your baby’s development, feel free to book a consultation with Dr. Cathrine or Dr. Alison at Jannali Healthcare Centre, Sutherland Shire.
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