Is Your Baby a Late Bloomer?

What you can do to encourage walking

Despite the name, baby walkers do not actually promote walking in babies. In fact, research has found the opposite to be true: Babies who use walkers have lower locomotive development test scores than those who do not.7 In addition, they can negatively impact a child's developing gait and posture.

So, what can you do to encourage walking instead? Similar to crawling, you can encourage walking by cheering your baby on when they stand and try to take those first wobbly steps.

Stretch out your hands and assure your child that you'll catch them if they fall. When falls inevitably do happen, offer comfort and kisses. And when they make it one step, then two, then three, cheer them on like they just completed the Tour de France. Your excitement is contagious!

When to Be Concerned

Some parents may start to worry if their child isn't meeting milestones like talking or walking "on time." And paying attention to milestones can indeed be important: Some early signs of autism can be detected even before 12 months, and doctors recommend early intervention whenever possible.

If other people pressuring you about milestones, such as friends piping in—"Is your baby still not walking?"—try to tune it out. Robin used to tell people, "The doctor isn't worried about Lydia, so I'm not either." Try not to compare your child with others. In any group of babies, there's likely to be an early walker, an early talker, those who hit those milestones at "average" times, and late bloomers. When you think about it, as soon you define "average," babies fall on either side of that.

Do bring your concerns to a health care provider, though. They can put your child's development in perspective. If you've got a nagging instinct that the doctor is missing something, or spot any milestone red flags, seek a second opinion.

"If you still have doubts, then see another doctor," Dr. Zuckerman says. That will likely make you less anxious, and if your child does have an issue, you can get early intervention (such as occupational therapy), which can make a huge difference.

Finally, look at the big picture and all the things your baby may be doing, whether playing peekaboo or blowing kisses. Development happens in spurts and plateaus. Enjoy the plateau your child is on now.