Do all babies walk by their first birthday?
No. Only about half of babies walk on their own by their first birthday. Nearly all healthy children walk somewhere between about 8 and 18 months.
What studies found
In the WHO's study of about 800 healthy children in six countries, half walked on their own by 12 months. A quarter didn't start until after 13 months, and 1 in 10 not until after about 14½ months.
In a study of about 48,000 children in Norway, only about a quarter were walking by their first birthday. Half walked by about 13 months, and three-quarters by 14 months.
In a study in Zurich that followed healthy children closely, 8 in 10 started walking somewhere between 10½ and 16 months.
What we don’t know yet
Why some healthy children walk months earlier than others. Babies who bottom-shuffle tend to walk a little later, and ages differ between countries, but no single reason explains it.
The studies
Read more: Walking on their own, Standing alone, Walking holding on
If you’re worried about your child, talk to your GP or child and family health nurse.