Encouraging baby to take the first steps...?

[Santosha]

Again, my DD was exactly the same. It was like she didn't know she could walk by herself, even when she clearly could and would 'accidentally' do it from time to time. DH and I encouraged her by sitting on the floor facing eachother and getting her to take a few steps between us but this didn't really help as it got her into the habit of lurching forward to be caught which she thought was a great game, but was totally unsafe if there was nobody there to catch her. Then one day she just 'decided' more consciously that she could do it, and started taking purposeful steps between furniture that was close-ish together. She just practiced and practiced and practiced for a few days 'till she got it. Now there's no stopping her. Sounds like your little one is right on track and will be toddling independently before you know it. Just enjoy these last few days or weeks of your baby not being a 'toddler'... these moments go by waaaaay too fast!

[thepixie]

my DD was exactly the same. It was like she didn't know she could walk by herself, even when she clearly could and would 'accidentally' do it from time to time

DD was just like this, one day we were at playgroup and she just took off after an older boy (sign of things to come perhaps?) and that was it.... she just got it, and after that she was walking everywhere. I think she just needed to be distracted from trying to do it, if that makes sense - it's like she was overthinking it, and not believing she could do it, and when she forgot to think about it, she just walked.

[Miss E]

My DS was the same, it took him two months from the time he took his first unassisted steps to when he actually had the confidence to start walking. I personally think it's best to let them get there in their own time, after all, once they start they're going to be walking for the rest of their lives, so what's an extra month or two in the scheme of things.

[Anise3]

Thanks for all the replies, good to know it's normal to be a little unsure at first. I'll just let her progress when she's good and ready