When does an infant start walking?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

The period of 9-12 months is when infants typically begin the process of walking.
This stage is characterized by 'cruising,' where the infant walks by holding onto furniture for support.
Infants also pull themselves up to a standing position and may take their first few supported steps during this time.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: At 6-9 months, infants are mastering sitting without support and beginning to crawl; they do not typically start walking.
Option C: By 13-15 months, most infants are walking well without support. This is considered established independent walking, not the starting phase.
Option D: A correct time frame is provided in the options, making this choice incorrect.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Infant developmental milestones (Gross Motor) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating parents about normal developmental milestones to alleviate anxiety and identify potential delays early.
Assessing motor development is a standard part of well-child check-ups, allowing for timely referral if milestones are not met within the expected range.
What if? If a child is not walking independently by 18 months, it is considered a developmental 'red flag.' The nurse should recommend a comprehensive developmental screening to investigate potential neurological, nutritional, or musculoskeletal issues.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is gross motor developmental milestones in infants.
Recall the typical sequence of these milestones: sitting -> crawling -> pulling to stand -> cruising -> walking.
The keyword is 'start walking.' This refers to the initial attempts, which include walking with support ('cruising'), not just independent walking.
Compare the options to the known developmental timeline. The 6-9 month range is too early (crawling), and the 13-15 month range is generally for established independent walking.
Select the 9-12 month range, as this aligns with the period of pulling to stand and cruising, which are the precursors to independent walking.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Infant developmental milestones (Gross Motor)
Stem keywords: infant, start walking
Lead-in keywords: When
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

Question ID

QRMTb7FORrgUKl3N22yjqz

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 11323-11325

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 174-176

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